Planetary Science Institute
@psi.edu
https://www.psi.edu/
A private nonprofit dedicated to studying the origin, characteristics, and evolution of planetary systems and planets, including the Earth.
A private nonprofit dedicated to studying the origin, characteristics, and evolution of planetary systems and planets, including the Earth.
"I enjoy gardening and love cooking what I grow. I play tennis, bike, and love hiking in the mountains. And I will always love getting far out into nature, including truly dark skies."
Get our stories & Q&As delivered weekly when you subscribe: buff.ly/tdys2MC
Get our stories & Q&As delivered weekly when you subscribe: buff.ly/tdys2MC
January 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM
"I enjoy gardening and love cooking what I grow. I play tennis, bike, and love hiking in the mountains. And I will always love getting far out into nature, including truly dark skies."
Get our stories & Q&As delivered weekly when you subscribe: buff.ly/tdys2MC
Get our stories & Q&As delivered weekly when you subscribe: buff.ly/tdys2MC
BONUS #JunoCam: What's the bright star in the sky? That's Jupiter! Jupiter is at opposition TOMORROW, Jan. 10., which means that Earth will be in line between Jupiter and the Sun.
📸: Credit: NASA/JPL/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstädt/Thomas Thomopoulos
📸: Credit: NASA/JPL/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstädt/Thomas Thomopoulos
January 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
BONUS #JunoCam: What's the bright star in the sky? That's Jupiter! Jupiter is at opposition TOMORROW, Jan. 10., which means that Earth will be in line between Jupiter and the Sun.
📸: Credit: NASA/JPL/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstädt/Thomas Thomopoulos
📸: Credit: NASA/JPL/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstädt/Thomas Thomopoulos
#ClarkVision: Comet Lemmon photographed by PSI's Roger Clark. This natural color image was obtained October 21, 2025 in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at 11,170 feet elevation, above much atmospheric absorption and light pollution from the Denver metro area.
January 8, 2026 at 3:01 PM
#ClarkVision: Comet Lemmon photographed by PSI's Roger Clark. This natural color image was obtained October 21, 2025 in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at 11,170 feet elevation, above much atmospheric absorption and light pollution from the Denver metro area.
#JunoCam: Two views of Jovian polar-region cyclones seen during perijoves (Juno close approaches) 53 & 67, illustrating how rapidly cloud-top patterns can reorganize between observations.
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Thomas Thomopoulos
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Thomas Thomopoulos
January 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
#JunoCam: Two views of Jovian polar-region cyclones seen during perijoves (Juno close approaches) 53 & 67, illustrating how rapidly cloud-top patterns can reorganize between observations.
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Thomas Thomopoulos
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Thomas Thomopoulos
"My hobbies include mountain biking, reading science fiction/fantasy, camping/hiking. I love anime, especially Studio Ghibli & Cowboy Bebop. I have continued to embrace my nerdiness since I did my best to learn & speak High Elvish (Tolkien) while in high school.”
January 5, 2026 at 3:02 PM
"My hobbies include mountain biking, reading science fiction/fantasy, camping/hiking. I love anime, especially Studio Ghibli & Cowboy Bebop. I have continued to embrace my nerdiness since I did my best to learn & speak High Elvish (Tolkien) while in high school.”
#JunoCam: On this last day of the year, we're posting a slightly different image than usual. Our home! This is an approximately true color/contrast image obtained during Juno's flyby of the Earth on Oct. 9, 2013. 🧪 🔭
December 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
#JunoCam: On this last day of the year, we're posting a slightly different image than usual. Our home! This is an approximately true color/contrast image obtained during Juno's flyby of the Earth on Oct. 9, 2013. 🧪 🔭
To celebrate 2025, we wanted to share just a small sample of PSI’s most exciting science research and prestigious honors of 2025!
Read and subscribe: buff.ly/xLzM67I
Thanks for your continued support and interest. We look forward to an even more amazing 2026! Happy New Year!
Read and subscribe: buff.ly/xLzM67I
Thanks for your continued support and interest. We look forward to an even more amazing 2026! Happy New Year!
December 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
To celebrate 2025, we wanted to share just a small sample of PSI’s most exciting science research and prestigious honors of 2025!
Read and subscribe: buff.ly/xLzM67I
Thanks for your continued support and interest. We look forward to an even more amazing 2026! Happy New Year!
Read and subscribe: buff.ly/xLzM67I
Thanks for your continued support and interest. We look forward to an even more amazing 2026! Happy New Year!
Time is running out to make your tax-deductible gift. To donate, please visit: buff.ly/svXUKaE
Thank you for your continued support! 🪐 🌃 🌵
Thank you for your continued support! 🪐 🌃 🌵
December 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Time is running out to make your tax-deductible gift. To donate, please visit: buff.ly/svXUKaE
Thank you for your continued support! 🪐 🌃 🌵
Thank you for your continued support! 🪐 🌃 🌵
Happy Friday! 🪐 🐾
This week's #Planetary Pet is Chance, and he needs help finding a home!
If you, or anyone you know, might have a space in your heart and home for this guy, please send an email with the subject line “Chance” to [email protected].
This week's #Planetary Pet is Chance, and he needs help finding a home!
If you, or anyone you know, might have a space in your heart and home for this guy, please send an email with the subject line “Chance” to [email protected].
December 26, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Happy Friday! 🪐 🐾
This week's #Planetary Pet is Chance, and he needs help finding a home!
If you, or anyone you know, might have a space in your heart and home for this guy, please send an email with the subject line “Chance” to [email protected].
This week's #Planetary Pet is Chance, and he needs help finding a home!
If you, or anyone you know, might have a space in your heart and home for this guy, please send an email with the subject line “Chance” to [email protected].
#JunoCam: Zoom out and zoom in!
These painterly views of Jupiter were processed by participatory scientist Kevin M. Gill. Interested in processing your own JunoCam images? Visit: buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
These painterly views of Jupiter were processed by participatory scientist Kevin M. Gill. Interested in processing your own JunoCam images? Visit: buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
December 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
#JunoCam: Zoom out and zoom in!
These painterly views of Jupiter were processed by participatory scientist Kevin M. Gill. Interested in processing your own JunoCam images? Visit: buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
These painterly views of Jupiter were processed by participatory scientist Kevin M. Gill. Interested in processing your own JunoCam images? Visit: buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill
Congratulations to PSI Trustee Dan Dumbacher, who has recently been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)!
buff.ly/OWqZSJY
buff.ly/OWqZSJY
December 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Congratulations to PSI Trustee Dan Dumbacher, who has recently been named a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)!
buff.ly/OWqZSJY
buff.ly/OWqZSJY
"I’ve been reflecting on the year’s events and want to give you an insider’s view of what we’ve been doing here at PSI – and how we’ve been coping with the challenges and curveballs we’ve been thrown this year!"
Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/NpJqrsb
Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/NpJqrsb
December 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"I’ve been reflecting on the year’s events and want to give you an insider’s view of what we’ve been doing here at PSI – and how we’ve been coping with the challenges and curveballs we’ve been thrown this year!"
Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/NpJqrsb
Read more & subscribe: buff.ly/NpJqrsb
A message from PSI Director Amanda Hendrix regarding our annual campaign.
To learn more about our science, visit: buff.ly/7Ym4iDz or follow us on our socials (if you're not already! 😉)
To donate to our annual campaign, visit buff.ly/MA1sh04
Thank you for coming on this journey with us! 🪐 🌃 🌵
To learn more about our science, visit: buff.ly/7Ym4iDz or follow us on our socials (if you're not already! 😉)
To donate to our annual campaign, visit buff.ly/MA1sh04
Thank you for coming on this journey with us! 🪐 🌃 🌵
December 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
A message from PSI Director Amanda Hendrix regarding our annual campaign.
To learn more about our science, visit: buff.ly/7Ym4iDz or follow us on our socials (if you're not already! 😉)
To donate to our annual campaign, visit buff.ly/MA1sh04
Thank you for coming on this journey with us! 🪐 🌃 🌵
To learn more about our science, visit: buff.ly/7Ym4iDz or follow us on our socials (if you're not already! 😉)
To donate to our annual campaign, visit buff.ly/MA1sh04
Thank you for coming on this journey with us! 🪐 🌃 🌵
#SciArt: PSI Research Scientist Jamie Molaro creates unique science art using a wide variety of methods and materials. This piece was created using source data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.
December 19, 2025 at 3:04 PM
#SciArt: PSI Research Scientist Jamie Molaro creates unique science art using a wide variety of methods and materials. This piece was created using source data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.
This stunning view of a region called Syrtis Major is from the 100,000th image captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter using its HiRISE camera. What's also exciting is that PSI scientists and an intern chose the target which later became this milestone image!
Read more: buff.ly/FhQoeGX
Read more: buff.ly/FhQoeGX
December 18, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This stunning view of a region called Syrtis Major is from the 100,000th image captured by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter using its HiRISE camera. What's also exciting is that PSI scientists and an intern chose the target which later became this milestone image!
Read more: buff.ly/FhQoeGX
Read more: buff.ly/FhQoeGX
Emily Elizondo of Michigan State University and Sarah Stewart of the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, are the winners of the 2026 Betty Pierazzo International Student Travel Award, established by the Planetary Science Institute. Full story: buff.ly/zLNwntH
December 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Emily Elizondo of Michigan State University and Sarah Stewart of the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, are the winners of the 2026 Betty Pierazzo International Student Travel Award, established by the Planetary Science Institute. Full story: buff.ly/zLNwntH
#JunoCam: "Ganymede through Juno's Eye"
Did you know that Ganymede is larger than Mercury and the Earth's moon? In fact, it's the largest moon in our Solar System and hosts its own magnetic field! This means that Ganymede could experience auroras.
🧪 🔭
Did you know that Ganymede is larger than Mercury and the Earth's moon? In fact, it's the largest moon in our Solar System and hosts its own magnetic field! This means that Ganymede could experience auroras.
🧪 🔭
December 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
#JunoCam: "Ganymede through Juno's Eye"
Did you know that Ganymede is larger than Mercury and the Earth's moon? In fact, it's the largest moon in our Solar System and hosts its own magnetic field! This means that Ganymede could experience auroras.
🧪 🔭
Did you know that Ganymede is larger than Mercury and the Earth's moon? In fact, it's the largest moon in our Solar System and hosts its own magnetic field! This means that Ganymede could experience auroras.
🧪 🔭
Where is your favorite place for field work?
The Juneau Icefield in Alaska, holds a special place in my heart. This system of temperate glaciers is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places I've seen in my life. I loved collaborating with the amazing people from the...
The Juneau Icefield in Alaska, holds a special place in my heart. This system of temperate glaciers is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places I've seen in my life. I loved collaborating with the amazing people from the...
December 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Where is your favorite place for field work?
The Juneau Icefield in Alaska, holds a special place in my heart. This system of temperate glaciers is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places I've seen in my life. I loved collaborating with the amazing people from the...
The Juneau Icefield in Alaska, holds a special place in my heart. This system of temperate glaciers is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places I've seen in my life. I loved collaborating with the amazing people from the...
Happy Friday! 🪐 🦌
This week's #PlanetaryPet photo was captured by a wildlife camera in PSI’s Kimberly Foote's backyard! ‘Tis the season! ❄️
This week's #PlanetaryPet photo was captured by a wildlife camera in PSI’s Kimberly Foote's backyard! ‘Tis the season! ❄️
December 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Happy Friday! 🪐 🦌
This week's #PlanetaryPet photo was captured by a wildlife camera in PSI’s Kimberly Foote's backyard! ‘Tis the season! ❄️
This week's #PlanetaryPet photo was captured by a wildlife camera in PSI’s Kimberly Foote's backyard! ‘Tis the season! ❄️
You can help bring the wonder of planetary science to people of all ages by supporting PSI.
Thank you! 🪐 🌌 🌵 buff.ly/IcpNDTo
Thank you! 🪐 🌌 🌵 buff.ly/IcpNDTo
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
You can help bring the wonder of planetary science to people of all ages by supporting PSI.
Thank you! 🪐 🌌 🌵 buff.ly/IcpNDTo
Thank you! 🪐 🌌 🌵 buff.ly/IcpNDTo
#JunoCam: Io center stage. An image processed by user Ahmed-67 in which he combined to images - one of Jupiter (background) and one of it's moons, Io (foreground).
Process your own JunoCam images at buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Raihan Mohammad
Process your own JunoCam images at buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Raihan Mohammad
December 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
#JunoCam: Io center stage. An image processed by user Ahmed-67 in which he combined to images - one of Jupiter (background) and one of it's moons, Io (foreground).
Process your own JunoCam images at buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Raihan Mohammad
Process your own JunoCam images at buff.ly/9YvnJFy
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Raihan Mohammad
ICYMI: New SHARAD observations - collected and analyzed by a team led by PSI scientists - suggest Mars’ south pole lacks lake beneath the ice, casting doubts on a 2018 study.
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Get our stories delivered directly to your inbox when you sign up for our newsletter: buff.ly/12lCv4G
December 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
ICYMI: New SHARAD observations - collected and analyzed by a team led by PSI scientists - suggest Mars’ south pole lacks lake beneath the ice, casting doubts on a 2018 study.
Get our stories delivered directly to your inbox when you sign up for our newsletter: buff.ly/12lCv4G
Get our stories delivered directly to your inbox when you sign up for our newsletter: buff.ly/12lCv4G
#SciArt: PSI's Pamela Gay depicted a hot Jupiter with metal-rich clouds. Each world is a separate acrylic painting created using a fluid pour technique, which is then photographed & layered on a starry background with added shadows using Photoshop.
December 5, 2025 at 3:02 PM
#SciArt: PSI's Pamela Gay depicted a hot Jupiter with metal-rich clouds. Each world is a separate acrylic painting created using a fluid pour technique, which is then photographed & layered on a starry background with added shadows using Photoshop.
#ClarkVision: PSI's Roger Clark captures this setting full moon early one morning in the Serengeti of Tanzania. Don't forget to catch the full moon tonight!
December 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
#ClarkVision: PSI's Roger Clark captures this setting full moon early one morning in the Serengeti of Tanzania. Don't forget to catch the full moon tonight!
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM