One outstanding matter from that General Assembly was the need for a decision on the name for the class of dwarf planets beyond the orbit of Neptune. The term Pluton was initially suggested but rejected once the geologists pointed out that the term was already used for a type of rock. The wording of the [...]
Named for the Roman god of War, Mars probably got this name due to its red color. It is sometimes referred to as the Red Planet. The name of the month March derives from Mars. Known since prehistoric times, Mars is still a favorite of choice for human exploration. The density of Mars is about [...]
Named for the Roman god of War, Mars probably got this name due to its red color. It is sometimes referred to as the Red Planet. The name of the month March derives from Mars. Known since prehistoric times, Mars is still a favorite of choice for human exploration. The density of Mars is about [...]
Blue Neptune is one of the solar system’s gas giants. Unlike Earth, gas giants are mostly hydrogen, helium, and methane gases. The methane gas on Neptune gives the planet its blue color because the gas absorbs red light and reflects the blue back into space. Although not seen in the image the planet has a [...]
Mercury is a battered and baked planet just larger than Earth’s moon. Evidence of heavy bombardment from the chaos of the formation of the solar system is left in the hundreds of craters and resulting lava flows on this small, barren planet. The largest crater is Beethoven at 643 km in diameter and is [...]
The last time man set foot on the moon was nearly 40 years ago, and plans are in the works for a reunion tour of sorts. A big part of this focus will be setting up shop on the moon and using it as a launch pad for a manned expedition to Mars. Just returning [...]
