The hottest Planetary Science Substack posts right now

Looking for life on Mars should be the top priority, with everything else coming second.
Human settlement off-planet is about more than nationalist rivalry, mining, or narrow science; it’s about taking permanent root beyond Earth.
Many space supporters frame off-world settlement as part of a pro-growth, progress-oriented vision that values expansion, technology, and long-term abundance.

The moon is like a broken-down car in Earth's front yard, we can't fix it but can't let it go.
Mars is seen as a broken car for sale nearby, an upgrade but still an unnecessary purchase.
There's a primal appeal in getting a good deal on something, even if we don't really need it.

Samples from the asteroid Bennu contain DNA bases and amino acids, so the rock carries familiar building blocks of life.
If life can travel between worlds, Earth-style DNA sequencing might actually detect it, so teams should try sequencing Bennu material despite contamination concerns because any truly novel sequence would be decisive.
The amino acids are mostly racemic but show an excess of left-handed valine, which could hint at a biological origin but is ambiguous due to racemization, making sequencing an especially important follow-up.

Mars rovers are our main way to explore the planet since humans can't go there yet. These robots gather important information that helps us understand Mars better.
There have been several successful Mars missions, but only a few rovers are still active today. Each rover has contributed to discovering water signs and preparing for future human visits.
The future of Mars exploration involves collaboration between robots and humans. Robots will help pave the way for future missions, while humans will bring creativity and problem-solving skills to the table.

Many famous scientists and billionaires are interested in finding extraterrestrial life because it could change how we see our place in the universe. Projects like SETI are dedicated to this search, using advanced technology to listen for signals from space.
There are lots of places in our solar system that scientists believe could support life, such as Mars, Venus, and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Each of these locations has unique features that make them interesting for searching for signs of life.
Different methods are used to try to make contact with possible alien civilizations, like sending messages into space or looking for signals. The challenges include knowing what to look for and how to interpret any responses we might get.

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Studying Venus helps us understand climate change on Earth. Venus and Earth started out similarly, so learning what happened to Venus can give us clues about our own planet's future.
Exploring Venus could lead to new technologies that help us deal with extreme conditions, both in space and here on Earth. These technologies could improve things like batteries and electronics.
New missions to Venus are coming soon, which will gather fresh data and improve our knowledge about the planet. These missions are key to understanding whether Venus could have supported life in the past.

JUICE mission to study Jupiter's icy moons is a world-beater showing European excellence in space exploration.
JUICE will be the first spacecraft to perform various feats, like a lunar-Earth gravity assist and orbiting moons of another planet.
JUICE spacecraft has a titanic effort in its creation, involving multiple countries and costing around €1.6 billion.

Irwin Shapiro made a significant discovery related to General Relativity known as the Shapiro Effect, which became the 4th test of the theory.
Despite his age of 94, Irwin Shapiro continues to teach, conduct research, and play tennis, showing remarkable dedication and passion for his work.
Irwin Shapiro is praised for not only his scientific contributions but also his kind and encouraging nature, making him a respected and admired figure in the scientific community.

Venus has a very thick atmosphere mostly made of carbon dioxide, which traps heat and creates extreme temperatures of about 464°C. This causes a runaway greenhouse effect, making Venus one of the hottest places in our solar system.
In the past, Venus might have had liquid water and a more Earth-like climate. But intense heating from the Sun caused water to evaporate, leading to the loss of its oceans and transforming it into a dry, barren planet.
Earth is not immune to similar environmental issues. If we keep increasing greenhouse gas emissions, we could face severe climate changes in the future, highlighting the need for immediate action to protect our planet.