Planetary Science Division Overview by Jim Green

Seeking July 2020 skywatching highlights? Check out giant planets and their moons, Mars rising after midnight and ponder stargazing on the Red Planet.

This newly processed image of Venus revisits original Mariner 10 data with modern image processing software.

Seeking skywatching highlights in June 2020? Look for the Summer Triangle, keep tabs on the morning planets and June 20 brings the solstice.

Known as the "Mother of Hubble," Dr. Nancy Grace Roman was instrumental in taking the Hubble Space Telescope from an idea to reality.

What astronomy highlights can you see in the sky in May 2020? Venus, Sirius and the Milky Way.

The Seven Sisters meet the evening star, Mars continues its getaway, and unpacking the Moon illusion.

A curated just-for-kids NASA video playlist. 

What's Up for March? Planet-palooza in the morning, a "Sirius" look at the Dog Star, and an evening trio at the end of the month.

Astronomy highlights for February 2020: it's the best time of the year to view Mercury; Mars disappears behind the Moon; and the bright red star on Orion’s shoulder, Betelgeuse, has been acting wei...

Candor Chasma in central Valles Marineris is filled with light-toned layered deposits thought to be sandstones.

A relatively young, ice-filled crater near the north pole of Mars.

The geocentric phase, libration, position angle of the axis, and apparent diameter of the Moon throughout the year 2020.

What's Up for January? Morning meteors, Mars meets its "rival," and the Moon comes around for another visit with Venus.

NASA JPL Software Engineer Melissa Soriano describes the third potential target for Scientist for a Day contestants: Pluto's moon Charon.

NASA Oceanographer Yackar Mauzole describes the first potential target for Scientist for a Day contestants: Uranus' moon Miranda.

NASA/JPL Science Writer Jay Thompson outlines the challenges in the latest Scientist for a Day essay content.

NASA Chemist Sabah Bux describes the second potential target for Scientist for a Day contestants: Neptune's moon Triton.

Terraced hills in Arabia Terra, Mars, as seen by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

What can you see in the December sky? Beautiful pairings of planets and the crescent Moon throughout the month, at sunrise and sunset.

The International Space Station makes a trail of light in front of the Milky Way in this long exposure image.

What's Up for November? Mercury transits across the Sun, and the dimming of the "Demon star," Algol.

Our galaxy, the Milky Way, is seen above the Doll House in this National Park Service photo from Canyonlands National Park.

Studying Venus not only teaches us about our own planet, but also about many planets beyond our solar system.

What can you see in the October sky? Join the global celebration of International Observe the Moon Night on Oct. 5th, then try to catch the ice giant planets Uranus and Neptune.

Learn more about black holes, how to find them and how to stay safe should you ever get a chance to visit one.