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Rosetta sniffs oxygen around comet 67P
The presence of the gas could have implications for theories of the early Solar System.
- Chris Cesare
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Letter |
Abundant molecular oxygen in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
In situ measurement of O2 in the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko shows local abundances ranging from one per cent to ten per cent relative to H2O; the spatial and temporal uniformity of the O2/H2O ratio suggests that primordial O2 was incorporated into the nucleus during the comet’s formation.
- A. Bieler
- , K. Altwegg
- & P. Wurz
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Nature's news quiz: Naked mole rats, quantum spookiness, and ancient fisticuffs
Have you been paying attention to the science news?
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Incoming space junk a scientific opportunity
Astronomers prepare to observe an impact off the coast of Sri Lanka.
- Traci Watson
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Dead star spotted eating planetary leftovers
Distant white dwarf hints at the fate of the Solar System.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Pluto’s geology is unlike any other
First published findings from NASA’s New Horizons mission lay out the dwarf planet’s wildly varying terrain.
- Alexandra Witze
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NASA drops partnership with private asteroid hunt
Space agency pulls support for Sentinel mission.
- Traci Watson
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Letter |
Two independent and primitive envelopes of the bilobate nucleus of comet 67P
The ‘onion-like’ stratification of the two lobes of the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko reveals that its unusual shape is the result of a gentle collision merging two kilometre-sized objects in the early stages of the Solar System.
- Matteo Massironi
- , Emanuele Simioni
- & Jean-Baptiste Vincent
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'Snakeskin' Pluto revealed in planetary close-up
Intriguing ridges add to dwarf planet's geological mysteries.
- Alexandra Witze
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Letter |
The diurnal cycle of water ice on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko
Observations of water ice on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko show the ice appearing and disappearing in a cyclic pattern that follows local illumination conditions, providing a source of localized activity and leading to cycling modification of the ice abundance on the surface.
- M. C. De Sanctis
- , F. Capaccioni
- & G. Peter
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Newfound meteor showers expand astronomical calendar
Sky-watching cameras spot 86 previously unknown events.
- Alexandra Witze
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Pluto snow forecast poses atmospheric conundrum
Discrepancy arises between New Horizons and Earth-based measurements.
- Alexandra Witze
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NASA picks next New Horizons destination
Fresh from its Pluto encounter, the spacecraft steers for a second Kuiper belt object.
- Alexandra Witze
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How the rubber-duck comet got its shape
Two pieces of rock became one, but the details are still up for debate.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Philae's comet discoveries create series of conundrums
Lander may never be heard from again, but latest data haul throws up plenty of mysteries.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Nitrogen glaciers flow on Pluto
Data from New Horizons mission also reveal a hazy atmosphere that is growing colder and thinner.
- Alexandra Witze
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Mystery haze appears above Ceres’s bright spots
Discovery bolsters idea that intriguing marks are made of ice, not salt.
- Alexandra Witze
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Vibrant Pluto stuns scientists
Mission seeking clues to early Solar System finds a world made anew.
- Alexandra Witze
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Pluto's vast icy plains and gentle hills emerge in new images
New Horizons data portrays a geologically active world on the fringes of the Solar System.
- Alexandra Witze
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Scientists jubilant as Pluto mission phones home — safe
New Horizons probe reconnects with Earth after journey past dwarf planet.
- Alexandra Witze
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News Q&A |
Pluto mapper predicted dwarf planet's weird geology
Astronomer Marc Buie has studied the dwarf planet for decades.
- Alexandra Witze
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Pluto’s massive mountains hint at geological mysteries
Latest images from New Horizons mission show a patchwork terrain, and a surprisingly youthful Charon.
- Alexandra Witze
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Pluto, large and in living colour
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft beams back best picture yet of the dwarf planet.
- Alexandra Witze
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New Horizons reaches Pluto: in pictures
Nature captures the anxiety, and jubilation, of this mission milestone.
- Chris Maddaloni
- & Lauren Morello
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Pluto and Charon come into sharper focus
Images from the New Horizons probe's journey to the distant reaches of the Solar System.
- Alexandra Witze
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First look at Pluto: Live coverage of the historic fly-by
Nature reports from New Horizons mission headquarters.
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What to expect from the Pluto fly-by
Nature Video’s guide to the highlights as the New Horizons spacecraft speeds past the icy dwarf planet.
- Adam Levy
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Pluto fly-by: a graphical guide to the historic mission
New Horizons mission is set to speed past an ice world at the fringes of the Solar System.
- Alexandra Witze
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Pluto spacecraft temporarily loses contact with Earth
NASA works to recover probe less than ten days before it reaches the dwarf planet.
- Alexandra Witze
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News & Views |
Sink holes and dust jets on comet 67P
Analyses of images taken by the Rosetta spacecraft reveal the complex landscape of a comet in rich detail. Close-up views of the surface indicate that some dust jets are being emitted from active pits undergoing sublimation. See Letter p.63
- Paul Weissman
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Letter |
Large heterogeneities in comet 67P as revealed by active pits from sinkhole collapse
The size and spatial distribution of pits on comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, which are active and probably created by a sinkhole process, imply that large heterogeneities exist in the physical, structural or compositional properties of the first few hundred metres below the current cometary surface.
- Jean-Baptiste Vincent
- , Dennis Bodewits
- & Cecilia Tubiana
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Pluto-bound probe faces its toughest task: finding Pluto
New Horizons nears dwarf planet whose full orbit has never been mapped.
- Alexandra Witze
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Books & Arts |
Planetary science: Space-rock alert
Alexandra Witze watches a pair of films on asteroids — according to many, a vast accident waiting to happen.
- Alexandra Witze
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Intriguing geology of Ceres revealed in new pictures
NASA mission shows dwarf planet's surface in rich detail.
- Alexandra Witze
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Private asteroid hunt lacks cash to spy threats in orbit
Foundation fails to raise funds it needs for a space telescope to catalogue near-Earth objects.
- Traci Watson
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Revived Philae poised to do comet science
Comet lander has enough power to do experiments but needs a better communications link.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Philae comet lander wakes up and phones home
Scientists hopeful as historic space probe sends signals to Earth, ending seven months of silence.
- Celeste Biever
- & Elizabeth Gibney
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Rosetta orbiter spies possible lander site
Glinting pixels on comet surface raise hopes of finding hibernating Philae probe.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Ultraviolet close-up reveals comet surprise
Latest findings from Rosetta mission could help determine origins of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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News & Views |
Pluto leads the way in planet formation
Images from the Hubble Space Telescope cast new light on the orbits, shapes and sizes of Pluto's small satellites. The analysis comes just before a planned reconnaissance by the first spacecraft to visit them. See Article p.45
- Scott J. Kenyon
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Pluto’s moons move in synchrony
Gravity binds together three satellites of dwarf planet.
- Alexandra Witze
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Nearby star hosts Kuiper belt twin
Debris around a young star could shed light on the Solar System's early days.
- Ron Cowen
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News Explainer |
Five factors that will decide if Philae wakes
Warming temperatures raise hopes that the comet lander will send out a signal.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Pluto-bound craft hunts for hazardous moons
Unknown satellites pose danger to New Horizons mission as it journeys to the edge of the Solar System.
- Alexandra Witze
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Pluto may have icy cap
Latest images from New Horizons spacecraft show bright spot near dwarf planet’s pole.
- Alexandra Witze
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Rosetta's comet has no magnetic field
Discovery may lead to rethink about how comets and other small bodies form.
- Quirin Schiermeier
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Mystery of Ceres' bright spots grows
Data from NASA mission suggest varied origins for tantalizing gleams on dwarf planet's surface.
- Alexandra Witze