Saturn’s ocean moon Enceladus is able to support life − my research team is working out how to detect extraterrestrial cells there

Saturn’s moon Enceladus has geysers shooting tiny grains of ice into space. These grains could hold traces of life − but researchers need the right tools to tell.

Fabian Klenner, Postdoctoral Scholar in Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington • conversation
April 17, 2024 ~8 min

Why there may be oceans inside dwarf planets beyond Pluto – and what this means for the likely abundance of life

The Solar System could be awash with oceans, not on the surface but hidden inside the most surprising bodies

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences, The Open University • conversation
April 4, 2024 ~8 min


Nasa’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity has ended its mission – its success paves the way for more flying vehicles on other planets and moons

Among the missions being planned is a huge helicopter drone to explore Saturn’s moon Titan.

Kevin Olsen, UKSA Mars Science Fellow, Department of Physics, University of Oxford • conversation
Jan. 29, 2024 ~7 min

An element essential to life discovered on one of Saturn's moons, raising hopes of finding alien microbes

Five out of the six essential elements required for life on Earth were known to exist on Enceladus. Now the sixth and final one has been found too.

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences, The Open University • conversation
June 14, 2023 ~8 min

Saturn: we may finally know when the magnificent rings were formed

New research suggests Saturn’s rings may be surprisingly young.

Gareth Dorrian, Post Doctoral Research Fellow in Space Science, University of Birmingham • conversation
May 16, 2023 ~7 min

Curious Kids: what are the rings around planets made of?

Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus all have rings.

Maggie Lieu, Research Fellow, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham • conversation
Nov. 23, 2021 ~5 min

A small telescope past Saturn could solve some mysteries of the universe better than giant telescopes near Earth

Such a mission could be developed soon, allowing astrophysicists to take selfies of the solar system and use the Sun’s gravity as a lens to peer deep into space.

Michael Zemcov, Associate Professor of Physics, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Nov. 1, 2021 ~9 min

Why are planets round?

Gravity, mass and centrifugal force all contribute to the final shape of a planet.

James Webb, Professor and Director, Stocker AstroScience Center for Physics; Stocker AstroScience Center, Florida International University • conversation
Sept. 7, 2021 ~4 min


The five most impressive geological structures in the solar system

From the tallest cliff in the solar system to its largest impact basin, geological processes on other worlds are very similar to those on our own planet.

David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences, The Open University • conversation
Aug. 23, 2021 ~9 min

What you need to know about this year's winter solstice and the great conjunction

This year's winter solstice is also when Saturn and Jupiter appear closest to each other for 60 years, Here's what you need to know about both the events.

William Teets, Acting Director and Astronomer, Dyer Observatory, Vanderbilt University • conversation
Dec. 18, 2020 ~5 min

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