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Hubble spots "hot Neptune" exoplanet that's evaporating at a record rate

Michael Irving December 13, 2018

A type of world dubbed a "hot Neptune" has been conspicuously few and far between in terms of exoplanet discoveries, but a new observation may explain why. Hubble has now spotted a hot Neptune named GJ 3470b that’s vanishing at a record rate.

An illustration of GJ 3470b, shrouded in a cloud of gas as its atmosphere is stripped ...

Space

Juno approaches halfway mark of its science mission

David Szondy December 12, 2018

NASA's Juno orbiter is approaching the halfway mark of its science mission. On December 21 at 8:49:48 am PST (11:49:48 am EST), the spacecraft will complete the 16th of 32 scheduled science orbits in a flyby that will bring it within 3,140 mi (5,053 km) of the planet's cloud tops.

Artist's concept of Juno, which is approaching the halfway mark of its science mission

Space

Dolphins in the Jovian clouds among the most astonishing Jupiter images of 2018

Rich Haridy December 4, 2018

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has recently delivered a mind-bending torrent of amazing images, Over the past twelve months we have been treated to some of the best images yet including a magnificent shot of a cloud in the shape of a dolphin, swimming over the Jovian surface.

A dolphin in the clouds of Jupiter, among the best images of the massive planet captured ...

Space

Water discovered hidden deep beneath Jupiter's Great Red Spot

Anthony Wood September 5, 2018

Scientists may have discovered large amounts of water hidden deep beneath the surface of Jupiter’s famous Great Red Spot. The discovery, which was made using ground-based telescopes, opens up the possibility that extremophile lifeforms could exist in the atmosphere of the enigmatic gas giant.

Space

Meteorites reveal Jupiter's troubled childhood

David Szondy August 29, 2018

Jupiter may be the largest planet in the solar system, but it experienced growing pains. That's the conclusion of a team of scientists, who say that Jupiter grew in three stages with a two-million-year gap during which it grew very slowly, affecting the development of the rest of the solar system.

Jupiter's southern hemisphere photographed by NASA's Juno probe

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How a hidden magnetic field might be shutting down Jupiter's atmospheric jet streams

Nick Lavars August 10, 2018

NASA's Juno orbiter found that Jupiter's colored bands extend thousands of kilometers below the surface, but why do they stop where they do? A new study has put forward an explanation, describing a complex magnetic field that essentially stops these globe-circling jet streams in their tracks.

New research could explain why Jupiter's famous bands of color stop where they do

Space

Comprehensive radiation maps to aid search for life on Europa

David Szondy July 24, 2018

Europa is regarded as one of the most likely places in the solar system to find life, but where to look for evidence of it? To aid future space missions, a team has drawn up comprehensive maps of the radiation bombarding the moon to determine where explorers must look to find signs of life.

Europa is regarded as one of the most likely places to find life off the Earth

Space

12 new moons discovered orbiting Jupiter

Michael Irving July 17, 2018

With dozens of moons whizzing around Jupiter, it makes sense that a few have slipped under the radar, but the latest discovery is still a surprisingly large haul. Astronomers have announced the detection of 12 new moons orbiting Jupiter, including one particularly reckless “oddball.”

Io, pictured here orbiting Jupiter in 2007, has more company than we thought: astronomers have discovered ...

Space

Jupiter's mysterious lightning more Earth-like than previously thought

David Szondy June 7, 2018

For decades, scientists have been puzzled about the giant lightning storms in Jupiter's atmosphere, but new data from NASA's Juno orbiter indicates that Jovian lightning has more in common with the terrestrial variety than previously thought.

Artist's concept of lightning distribution in Jupiter's northern hemisphere

Space

Juno gets mission extension to complete science objectives

David Szondy June 6, 2018

NASA's Juno orbiter mission to Jupiter has been thrown a lifeline after the approval of a 41-month extension. The unmanned spacecraft will have additional time to complete its primary science observations, with the extra time required due to the spacecraft taking longer than planned orbits.