For many people, the definition of a planet was only made clear in 2006, when the spunky world Pluto was demoted from a planet to a dwarf planet. Now, a team of astronomers is pushing for “planet” ...

Detection of hydrogen sulfide in four HR 8799 gas giants provides evidence of solid accretion, clarifying how massive exoplanets form and distinguishing them from brown dwarfs ...

Science is driven by our desire to understand things. In some cases, where it requires significant effort and investment to develop systems that can understand new things, science benefits from a game ...

NASA has officially tracked 6,000 confirmed exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—a milestone that reflects decades of cumulative discoveries and ongoing research efforts. This achievement, ...

It still wouldn't include Pluto, unfortunately. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket ...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more! You are ...

Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system. The most likely reason (when combined with other observation) for seeing 1000 times more of ...

In our solar system, objects are close enough that we can check the orbit and see if has been cleared of other objects. This is problematic if we can only infer rough properties of what could be a ...

A study extends the definition of a habitable zone for planets to include their star's magnetic field. Interest in Earth-like planets orbiting within the habitable zone of their host stars has surged, ...

Key takeawaysIf a gas giant planet is big enough to ignite deuterium fusion, it becomes a brown dwarf instead of a planet.