Stars that pass by our Solar System have altered the long-term orbital evolution of planets, including Earth, and by extension modified our climate.

October 26, 2023, Tucson, Ariz. – Refined mapping tools that identify subsurface water ice on Mars will help determine the best targets for robotic and human missions to the planet.

The Planetary Science Institute (PSI) proudly announces the Betty Pierazzo International Student Travel Award, in honor of our late Senior Scientist.

Dr. Alice Baldridge's research interests are currently focused on two broad subjects: 1) understanding the past and current processes that have shaped planetary surfaces and 2) comparing laboratory, ...

Sept. 16, 2024, Tucson, Ariz. – A new analysis of maps of the near and far sides of the Moon shows that there are multiple sources of water and hydroxyl in the sunlit rocks and soils, including ...

Scientists from the Planetary Science Institute have uncovered evidence of potential salt glaciers on Mercury, opening a new frontier in astrobiology by revealing a volatile environment that might ...

Io, Jupiter’s innermost Galilean satellite, is the most volcanic body in the solar system. This volcanism helps Io maintain a tenuous atmosphere, which is stripped by passing ions in Jupiter’s ...

As part of the developement effort of a dedicated Python package for small-body planetary astronomy, we will provide functionality to the development of software used to analyze emission lines from ...

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Oct. 28, 2024, TUCSON, Ariz. – The Moon and Mars are pocked with giant impact craters acquired very long ago, while there appears to be a dearth of them on Earth and Venus. Time may have healed many ...

Two years ago the International Astronomical Union (IAU) elected to define the term planet, restricting it to the eight largest bodies orbiting the Sun, and deleting Pluto from the list.

January 15, 2024, Tucson, Ariz. – Using impact craters as a dating tool, Planetary Science Institute Research Scientist Alexander Morgan has determined maximum timescales for the formation of Martian ...