Nick Oakes, Author at Astronomy.com

Artist's concept of the Barnard's star system

Three new planets found around Barnard’s Star

Titan

Science, Solar System

Cryovolcanism on Titan may replenish its thick atmosphere

Pluto may have ‘kissed’ Charon to capture it

Pluto and Charon

JWST reveals surprising surface chemistry is occurring on Pluto’s moon Charon

An artist's impression of exoplanet WASP-69 b orbiting its host star. Credit: Adam Makarenko/W. M. Keck Observatory

Exoplanets, Science

Exoplanet WASP-69 b is followed by a staggeringly long tail

This is an artist's concept of the nearby exoplanet LTT 1445 A c, which is likely a super-Earth. The planet orbits a red dwarf star. Credit: NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI)

Exoplanets, Science

Hubble reveals another super-Earth, where it’s hot enough to cook a pizza

Comet 1P/Halley is perhaps the most famous comet. Though it only passes near Earth about once every 75 years, over time, it has left an expansive trail of debris throughout its entire orbital path. When Earth passes through this debris each year, we are treated to a meteor shower known as the Eta Aquariids. Credit: NASA.

How do comets get their names?

Titan’s dense atmosphere (dark blue) extends hundreds of miles above the world’s surface, as seen in this false-color mosiac captured by the Cassini spacecraft.

Science, Space Exploration

Why Titan should be on humanity’s must-visit list

Scientists found CO2 on Europa. Here’s why it’s important

Human Spaceflight

Will humans ever go to Mars?

A brief history of exoplanets

Study finds hot Jupiters may form close to stars