Solar System Topics
Just Passing By Earth
1999 — April 6, 2011
The Cassini spacecraft has completed a highly accurate flyby of Earth, giving the spacecraft a velocity boost for its journey to distant Saturn.
Once in a Blue Moon
1999 — April 6, 2011
As February winds down with no full moon at all, sky watchers are looking forward to two full moons in March and the second Blue Moon of 1999.
Scientists drawn to midday darkness near Transylvania
1999 — April 6, 2011
Serious eclipse science is planned near home of legendary monster.
A Close Encounter with Jupiter
1999 — April 6, 2011
This weekend the Solar System's largest planet will be brighter and nearer to Earth than at any time in the past 12 years. It's easy to see with a telescope or binoculars, or even with the naked eye!
Io's Alien Volcanoes
1999 — April 6, 2011
Scientists are eager for a closer look at the solar system's strangest and most active volcanoes when Galileo flies by Io on October 11. This article explores what we know about volcanism on Io and what researchers hope to learn from next week's daring encounter.
Y2K Meteor Burst
1999 — April 6, 2011
One of the most intense and least observed annual meteor showers peaks on the morning of Jan. 4, 2000. The Quadrantids will be the first major meteor display of the New Year. Follow the shower at Quadrantids.com.
Galileo Takes a Closer Look at Io
1999 — April 6, 2011
NASA has released new high resolution pictures of Jupiter's volcanic moon captured during Galileo's closest flyby since 1995.
High Noon at the North Pole
1999 — April 6, 2011
View images of this year's June solstice from both ends of the Earth.
Interplanetary Christmas
1999 — April 6, 2011
In an exclusive interview with Science@NASA, Santa discusses his plans for Christmas on future space colonies. The prospect of delivering presents throughout the solar system is, well, turning Santa's hair white.
Chandra Takes X-ray Image of Repeat Offender
1999 — April 6, 2011
NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatoryhas imaged Eta Carinae, the Milky Way's most luminous star. This exploding star, which also has been imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope, is huffing and puffing its way to eventual self-destruction.