Saturn

Travel February 28

7 planets will be on display tonight but you only have a short window to see the stunning sight

A spectacular solar display will be seen on Friday, Feb. 28, as seven planets will be visible through binoculars, a telescope or even the naked eye during the evening's full "planet parade."

Digital Originals November 6, 2023

Saturn's rings are disappearing, will be invisible from Earth in 2025

Saturn's rings are mostly made up of ice, asteroids, comets and moon fragments. In May 2025, the massive celestial loops will be effectively invisible to the human eye.

Saturn October 1, 2023

NASA publishes never-before-seen photos of 'ravioli' moon orbiting Saturn

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration took to Instagram to release new photos of the "dumpling"-shaped moon, Pan, which is the closest moon orbiting Saturn.

SCIENCE June 18, 2023

Moon in solar system has elements needed to support life: scientists

Scientists studying data collected by NASA's Cassini mission found Saturn's moon Enceladus has the necessary materials to make it habitable.

Saturn May 5, 2023

The rings of Saturn are falling in on the planet as icy rain, scientists say

Scientists say that Saturn's rings are falling in on the planet as icy rain due to the gas giant's intense gravity. Saturn's rings are made of pieces of comets, asteroids or moons.

NASA January 12, 2023

NASA funding ideas for a space seaplane, other innovations

NASA is funding a concept for a space seaplane that could investigate the chemistry Titan among other innovations, with recent awards totaling $175,000 in grants.

SCIENCE June 22, 2021

'Mega comet' discovered flying into solar system: scientists

Astronomers have reportedly discovered that a large object moving from the outer reaches of the solar system will approach as close as Saturn's orbit in the next decade.

SCIENCE April 2, 2021

NASA researchers discover first X-rays from Uranus

Astronomers at NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have detected X-rays from the planet Uranus for the first time.

SCIENCE March 3, 2021

'Space hurricane' seen in Earth's upper atmosphere for first time

For the first time in history, astronomers have detected what they've deemed a "space hurricane" in Earth's upper atmosphere.

Planets January 7, 2021

Forget the Christmas Star: Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn will form rare 'triple conjunction'

This weekend, Mercury will join Jupiter and Saturn in what is being dubbed as a "triple conjunction," as the three planets will be within a couple of degrees from one another in the night sky.

Jupiter December 22, 2020

'Christmas star' in pictures: Jupiter and Saturn come together in rare celestial event

NASA has released a slew of pictures of the "Christmas star," a celestial event where the two largest planets in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, form what looks like a double planet.

Jupiter December 21, 2020

Christmas star is coming: Jupiter and Saturn are about to do something not seen for nearly 800 years

This year has been a year unlike any other in recent memory and it will conclude with the return of a celestial event not seen for almost 800 years.

Jupiter November 23, 2020

Jupiter and Saturn are about to do something not seen for nearly 800 years

The two largest planets in the Solar System, Jupiter and Saturn have fascinated astronomers for hundreds of years. But the two gas giants will do something next month not seen since the Middle Ages -- they will look like a double planet.

Saturn November 18, 2020

One of the best places to look for life in the solar system is erupting with water: scientists don't know why

One of the best spots to look for life, NASA is slated to explore Jupiter's moon Europa in the next 10 years. A new study, however, notes the water plumes that are erupting from the celestial satellite could shed new light on cryovolcanic eruptions across icy bodies throughout the solar system.

Jupiter September 30, 2020

Jupiter, Saturn spotted over legendary Bronze Age structure

A remarkable picture shows the two largest planets in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn, in the night sky over the legendary Mitchell's Fold stone circle.

NASA September 27, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic pushes back NASA's search for life on Saturn's moon

NASA has delayed its upcoming mission to Saturn's moon, Titan, which could support life, citing budgetary concerns put on the agency by the coronavirus pandemic.

Saturn September 23, 2020

Saturn's mysterious moon has new ice and scientists aren't sure why

Enceladus, Saturn's mysterious moon that could support life, may be more geologically active than previously thought, according to a new study.

Saturn July 27, 2020

Hubble Space Telescope spots summertime on Saturn in new image

Summertime on Earth is a little different than summer on Saturn.

NASA June 29, 2020

NASA wants to use a steam-powered robot to explore icy moons that could host alien life

NASA's plans to explore the ice moons of the Solar System are getting more detail as the space agency is developing a robot that would use steam to power itself in deep space.

Saturn June 9, 2020

Saturn's moon, Titan, which could support life, moving away from ringed planet faster than previously believed

Researchers have discovered that Saturn's moon, Titan, which could support extraterrestrial life, is moving away from the ringed planet 100 times faster than previously believed.

Saturn February 13, 2020

Saturn's weird, Earth-like moon just failed a key test for alien life

Saturn's most Earth-like moon looks a bit less likely to host life, thanks to quantum mechanics, the weird rules that govern subatomic particles.

Saturn January 24, 2020

Saturn's mysterious moon could support alien life thanks to this new discovery

Saturn's moon Enceladus has an even better chance of supporting extraterrestrial life than previously thought: researchers have discovered its oceans are more complex than first believed.

Saturn January 14, 2020

Mysterious Saturn moon could be best place to look for extraterrestrial life, top physicist says

The former director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the current project scientist for the Voyager program, Ed Stone, is pleading with the space agency to head toward Saturn's moon Enceladus in hopes of discovering life.

Jupiter December 17, 2019

Extraterrestrial life on Europa or Enceladus could be 'indigenous,' study says

If there is life in the Solar System outside of Earth, Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's moon Enceladus are two of the most likely spots to hold them. However, any extraterrestrial creatures on these celestial objects probably are not related to us, according to a new study.

Saturn December 9, 2019

Saturn's moon Enceladus' 'tiger stripes' mystery explained

Saturn's moon Enceladus has been shrouded in mystery since its discovery in the late 18th century, but now researchers believe they have solved what causes the moon's "tiger stripes," according to a new study.

Saturn December 4, 2019

Saturn's moon Titan could give new insights into life on Earth

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, has several odd weather patterns, including multi-decade polar vortexes and dust storms. A new study has revealed there is a significant difference in the amount of solar energy it absorbs and the thermal energy it emits during its seasons, which could give researchers new insights into our own climate.

NASA November 21, 2019

NASA underwater rover could aid in search for life

NASA recently showed off its new underwater rover that it hopes one day could help in exploring alien ocean worlds in the search for life.

Saturn November 19, 2019

NASA maps Saturn's moon Titan, which may support extraterrestrial life

NASA recently unveiled a new mission to fly to Saturn's moon, Titan, which could potentially host extraterrestrial life. But before it gets there, the space agency has mapped out the celestial satellite for the first time, further showcasing its similarities to Earth.

Saturn October 8, 2019

20 new moons discovered around Saturn, now they need names

Researchers have discovered an additional 20 moons orbiting the ringed planet, giving it a total of 82 satellites, three more than Jupiter.

Saturn September 17, 2019

Age of Saturn's rings debated as questions about life emerge

Saturn's rings may be shining as bright as ever, but the debate over how old they are has been given new life following a recently published study.