Planet

Mercury has long baffled astronomers because it defies much of what we know about planet formation. A new space mission arriving in 2026 might solve the mystery.

Exoplanet hunters Christopher Watson and Annelies Mortier explain the long search for a 'twin Earth' capable of sustaining life.

Stargazers will be treated to a rare seven-planet alignment in February. This is what scientists hope to learn.

The Sun is extremely active right now, blasting the Earth with the biggest solar storms in 20 years. This is what it is doing to the rest of the Solar System.

Scientists recently discovered an infrared aurora on Uranus, but these light displays are surprisingly common on other planets and are providing valuable insights about alien worlds.

Extraterrestrial life could really be out there – here is some of what we know.

Future missions to Venus need tough new technologies – and an old one. Jesse Emspak reports

Here and there, all over the world, there are islands which don’t conclusively belong to anyone. But why do disputes over who owns these tiny rocks in the sea never get resolved?