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.
#JunoCam: A collage of Jupiter images (processed with exaggerated color and contrast) taken by the Juno spacecraft as it approached then departed the gas giant.
Interested in processing your own images? buff.ly/yyrESGe
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Brian Swift
Interested in processing your own images? buff.ly/yyrESGe
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Brian Swift
January 21, 2026 at 3:05 PM
#JunoCam: A collage of Jupiter images (processed with exaggerated color and contrast) taken by the Juno spacecraft as it approached then departed the gas giant.
Interested in processing your own images? buff.ly/yyrESGe
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Brian Swift
Interested in processing your own images? buff.ly/yyrESGe
📸: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Brian Swift
Is there one award that is particularly meaningful to you?
"Most people don't know that there have been national weather forecasting competitions in various forms for decades. Usually there are about 1,000 participants per year nationwide. I've won 5 trophies at that."
"Most people don't know that there have been national weather forecasting competitions in various forms for decades. Usually there are about 1,000 participants per year nationwide. I've won 5 trophies at that."
January 19, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Is there one award that is particularly meaningful to you?
"Most people don't know that there have been national weather forecasting competitions in various forms for decades. Usually there are about 1,000 participants per year nationwide. I've won 5 trophies at that."
"Most people don't know that there have been national weather forecasting competitions in various forms for decades. Usually there are about 1,000 participants per year nationwide. I've won 5 trophies at that."
PSI's Kirby Runyon spoke with the hosts of What The If podcast about his citizen science project to map ancient impact melt flows on the Moon, which he co-leads with PSI's Pamela Gay.
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
CITIZEN Science -- With Kirby Runyon! — WHAT THE IF?
Map ancient lava flows on the moon from your couch and help solve mysteries billions of years old.
whattheif.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 PM
PSI's Kirby Runyon spoke with the hosts of What The If podcast about his citizen science project to map ancient impact melt flows on the Moon, which he co-leads with PSI's Pamela Gay.
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
Listen here! buff.ly/mFe08of
#SciArt: PIO Mikayla Kelley is always surrounded by amazing images of our Solar System, so it’s no surprise that she is inspired to create art as one of her creative outlets. This is an acrylic-on-canvas painting of a planetary water droplet falling into the pool of the universe.
January 16, 2026 at 3:04 PM
#SciArt: PIO Mikayla Kelley is always surrounded by amazing images of our Solar System, so it’s no surprise that she is inspired to create art as one of her creative outlets. This is an acrylic-on-canvas painting of a planetary water droplet falling into the pool of the universe.
PSI in the News: "There may be a Planet 9 out there, but I doubt
it’ll be one of the predicted versions of the planet," says Kat Volk of the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona.
buff.ly/riODKP9
buff.ly/riODKP9
A hidden planet on the edge of our Solar System? Here's why scientists are closer than ever to finding it | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Could there be a planet X or planet Y on the edge of our Solar System? A look at the search for a new planet orbiting the Sun.
www.skyatnightmagazine.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:12 PM
PSI in the News: "There may be a Planet 9 out there, but I doubt
it’ll be one of the predicted versions of the planet," says Kat Volk of the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona.
buff.ly/riODKP9
buff.ly/riODKP9
These maps can be used to better understand the geophysics of the Moon and prepare the way for future exploration, as we identify safe places to land and scientifically interesting places to explore.
Full story: buff.ly/UrK1QFL
Full story: buff.ly/UrK1QFL
January 15, 2026 at 3:02 PM
These maps can be used to better understand the geophysics of the Moon and prepare the way for future exploration, as we identify safe places to land and scientifically interesting places to explore.
Full story: buff.ly/UrK1QFL
Full story: buff.ly/UrK1QFL
#JunoCam: The Juno spacecraft captures myriad images from Jupiter and its moons as it orbits the gas giant, but it is participatory scientists like you who bring the images to life. This artistic collage of Jupiter and its moon Europa was processed and assembled by Jackie Branc.
January 14, 2026 at 3:04 PM
#JunoCam: The Juno spacecraft captures myriad images from Jupiter and its moons as it orbits the gas giant, but it is participatory scientists like you who bring the images to life. This artistic collage of Jupiter and its moon Europa was processed and assembled by Jackie Branc.
"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
PSI Senior Scientist Vicki Hansen spoke with Alie Ward of the Ologies podcast about Venus!
Listen here! buff.ly/Qsxvqic
Listen here! buff.ly/Qsxvqic
Venusology (VENUS) with Dr. Vicki Hansen — alie ward
Gassy veils! Orange sunlight! Alien life? It’s the sole goddess of our solar system: Venus. And to tour us through her beauty is the charming and enthusiastic planetary geologist and Venusian expert…
www.alieward.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
PSI Senior Scientist Vicki Hansen spoke with Alie Ward of the Ologies podcast about Venus!
Listen here! buff.ly/Qsxvqic
Listen here! buff.ly/Qsxvqic
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
PSI in the News: buff.ly/YHd9fnU
China's next moonshot: Chang'e 7 could search the lunar south pole for water this year
"The Chinese will be ahead of everyone else by at least one year, but probably several years."
www.space.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:37 PM
PSI in the News: buff.ly/YHd9fnU
"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!
PSI in the news:
Strange ‘spider’ on Europa hints at water lurking below
A daily update by email. Science news, great photos, sky alerts.
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December 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
PSI in the news:
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
PSI in the News: buff.ly/UWpKvMR
Did a Rogue Planet Bring Order to Our Solar System?
Did a Rogue Planet Bring Order to Our Solar System? New models suggest a celestial bypasser left us with the current orbital lineup
nautil.us
December 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
PSI in the News: buff.ly/UWpKvMR
"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.