Solar Orbiter

Companies and researchers are developing space-based solar power, collecting sunlight in orbit where it is constant and far stronger than on Earth, then beaming the energy back to the surface. One firm leading the effort describes itself as the real thing rather than a rival to fusion, arguing orbiting solar collectors could deliver effectively unlimited clean power. Supporters see it as a potential answer to energy security and climate goals, while skeptics question the costs and engineering hurdles.

Astronomers have identified a mysterious object orbiting beyond Neptune that could be classified as a new dwarf planet. The distant body joins a small group of icy worlds known past Pluto, such as Eris and Makemake. The discovery is drawing interest in Australia and the UK as researchers work to confirm its size, orbit and planetary status.

A new study reported by Nature suggests the Solar System's lifespan could be roughly one billion times shorter than previous estimates indicated. The finding challenges long-standing assumptions about the stability of planetary orbits and the Sun's long-term evolution. Scientists are weighing what the revised timescale means for theories of planetary system survival.

Astronomers report the probable discovery of a new dwarf planet orbiting beyond Pluto, according to a New York Times report drawing attention to the object at the outer edge of the solar system. The find, if confirmed, would add to the small group of known dwarf planets and renew debate about what lies in the distant Kuiper Belt region.

Astronomy enthusiasts are discussing the idea that a black hole could exist within our own solar system. The topic, picked up in popular science content, explores how such an object might go undetected and what effects it could have on planetary orbits. No confirmed discovery has been announced, but the provocative possibility is drawing wide attention and debate among space fans.

An astronomy essay argues the Sun has roughly 22 more orbits to complete around the Milky Way before the end of its life, while Earth has only about 4–5 left in its habitable window before the Sun's evolution makes the planet unlivable. The piece is drawing attention from space science readers who find the comparison of solar versus planetary timelines striking.

Observatory astronomers have identified a new dwarf planet candidate in the distant reaches of the solar system, beyond Neptune and Pluto. The discovery adds to the growing list of icy bodies in the outer solar system and fuels ongoing debate about whether a larger, unseen planet may be lurking even further out. Scientists say more observations are needed to confirm the object's size and orbit.

Astronomers report the discovery of a mysterious object in the outer solar system, beyond Neptune's orbit, which could qualify as a new dwarf planet. If confirmed, it would join Pluto, Eris and other icy bodies classed as dwarfs, adding to ongoing debate about how our solar system's far reaches are populated.

Astronomers have reported the likely discovery of a new dwarf planet located beyond the orbit of Pluto, according to Onlíner. The object sits in the distant outer Solar System, a region where only a handful of dwarf planets, including Pluto and Eris, have so far been confirmed. The find has drawn attention in Russian-language media and sparked interest in how many more large bodies may still be hiding at the edge of the Solar System.

Space science commentary is making the case for a new mission to Uranus, arguing the ice giant has been neglected compared with other planets in the Solar System. The discussion highlights that Uranus has only ever been visited once, by NASA's Voyager 2 flyby in 1986, and planetary scientists have increasingly called for a dedicated orbiter as a priority for future exploration.

Reflect Orbital has secured bookings for two launches of its satellites designed to reflect sunlight back to Earth at night, effectively providing solar lighting from orbit. The California-based startup aims to sell sunlight-on-demand to solar farms after dark, a concept that has drawn both interest from the energy industry and criticism from astronomers concerned about light pollution and its effects on wildlife and night skies.

Astronomers using Chile's Vera C. Rubin Observatory have identified a bright object, designated 2026 ED138, orbiting beyond Pluto. Its movement follows a path typical of a dwarf planet, and scientists say the discovery offers fresh clues about how planets formed in the outer solar system. Space enthusiasts are sharing the find as a notable early result from the new observatory.

LEGO has revealed 42254 Solar System Planets in Orbit, a new set depicting the planets of the solar system. The reveal gives fans a first look at the model, with details on design, piece count and pricing still being discussed across fan communities and toy news outlets.

An educational overview of the Solar System is drawing large audiences worldwide, covering the Sun, the eight planets and other bodies orbiting it. Viewers are engaging heavily with the explainer, suggesting broad public appetite for accessible space and astronomy content at the moment.

Elon Musk said data centers on Earth are 'peanuts' compared to what SpaceX is planning in orbit, signaling ambitions to build large-scale computing infrastructure in space. The comments fuel speculation that SpaceX envisions space-based data centers powered by solar energy, a concept that would require major advances in launch capacity and satellite technology.

Astronomy enthusiasts are highlighting a curious fact about Mercury: the planet spins so slowly that one solar day, from sunrise to sunrise, lasts 176 Earth days, while a Mercurian year lasts just 88 Earth days. That means a single daytime on Mercury is twice as long as the planet's entire year, a result of its slow rotation combined with its fast orbit around the Sun.

Reflect Orbital has purchased two launches from Indian rocket maker Skyroot Aerospace, according to a report by Payload Space. The deal links the US space startup, known for plans to reflect sunlight for nighttime illumination, with Skyroot, whose Vikram rockets are among India's first privately developed launch vehicles. The agreement gives Reflect Orbital access to orbital capacity while providing Skyroot a commercial customer for its upcoming missions.

NASA is preparing two spacewalks, scheduled for October 29 and November 5, to complete the final stages of its International Space Station solar array upgrade. Astronauts will install new roll-out solar arrays that boost the station's ageing power system. The work marks the closing phase of a multi-year effort to modernize the orbiting laboratory's electricity supply before the station's planned retirement later this decade.

Kepler-1329 b is a Neptune-like giant exoplanet discovered in 2016 by NASA's Kepler telescope. It orbits its star every 9.34 days, has a radius about 2.17 times that of Earth, and lies roughly 1,918 light-years from our planet. Space enthusiasts are sharing its details through NASA's exoplanet visualisation tool, part of ongoing popular interest in catalogued worlds beyond the solar system.

Google Research has reported the first response from a prototype satellite under Project Suncatcher, its initiative exploring solar-powered data centers in space. The company shared the update in a blog post, and the news is being discussed on Hacker News, where commenters are weighing in on the project's feasibility and implications for orbital computing infrastructure.

Astronomers report that a large new dwarf planet candidate may be hiding in the distant reaches of the Solar System, beyond the orbit of Pluto. The candidate would rank among the biggest known bodies in the outer Solar System if confirmed. Details of its size, orbit and discovery remain sparse so far, and researchers will need further observations before it can be officially recognised as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union.

Astronauts outside the International Space Station carried out a spacewalk to install a new solar array, part of an ongoing upgrade of the station's aging power system. Live coverage tracked the spacewalkers as they mounted and connected the array, a step intended to boost the orbital outpost's electricity supply for continued research operations.

Astronomers say they have identified a possible new dwarf planet in our solar system, adding to the short list of known dwarf planets such as Pluto and Eris. The finding, reported by WIRED, is drawing attention because such discoveries are rare and could offer fresh clues about the outer reaches of the solar system. Details about the object's size, orbit and confirmation status have not been widely reported yet.