Solar System Exploration

Montaje artistico de mundos y objetos en nuestro sistema solar

Do you think we already know everything about our solar system? Think again!

› More Information

Secrets of Mercury

El Caloris Basin de Mercurio

Mercury has the oldest surface of all the rocky planets but it's the least explored – until now!

› More Information

Asteroids

Ilustracion de un asteroide desmoronandose

An asteroid is not just a rocky metallic object that orbits the sun!

› More Information

Unlocking Jupiter's Mysteries



    NASA has some gigantic questions about the gas giant Jupiter, and it will take some gigantic thinking to find the answers. Are you up for a challenge?
       download arrow icon Download Video

Interviews

Background Information


    Jupiter is the most massive planet in our solar system. With four large moons and many smaller moons, it forms a kind of miniature solar system. Jupiter resembles a star in composition, and if it had been about 80 times more massive, it would have become a star rather than a planet.

    On Jan. 7, 1610, using his primitive telescope, astronomer Galileo Galilei saw four small "stars" near Jupiter. He had discovered Jupiter's four largest moons, now called Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. These four moons are known today as the Galilean satellites.

    › More Information

Resources

Opportunities and Activities

  • 'Lo que no sabemos', pintado por Caitlin, de 5° grado

    Share Your Vision of Space Exploration!  →

    Draw a planet. Design a robot to explore that planet. Use crayons, pencils, paint or a computer. We're interested in original artwork from explorers of all ages. Let your imagination run wild. Scan your art work and submit it!