Data from the Voyager, Galileo and Cassini missions, combined with modeling and observations from Hubble and Webb, has revealed that at least six moons and dwarf planets in the outer solar system—including Europa, Enceladus, Titan, Mimas and Callisto—harbor liquid water oceans beneath their icy surfaces. Even Pluto is now considered a candidate ocean world, suggesting many undiscovered Kuiper Belt objects could conceal similar hidden seas.
mceglowski.substack.com
· 2026-09-06
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, currently nearing the outer boundary of the solar system as it heads toward interstellar space, risks losing two of its scientific instruments at this critical juncture. The timing is significant because the probe is approaching a region where continuous data collection is essential for understanding the transition beyond the sun's influence.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-03
Sony has launched a free, ad-supported live TV feature built into the PS5's main menu for US users, offering over 100 channels without needing to download an app. Content includes live sports, news, and shows from partners like Fox, NBC, NASCAR, UFC, and Crunchyroll, accessible via a cable-style channel guide. Sony plans to expand the service to Canada and other regions, though no timeline has been given.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-01
Two decades after the International Astronomical Union voted in 2006 to reclassify Pluto as a dwarf planet, a vocal group of scientists, historians and enthusiasts continue to push back against that decision. Critics like Philip Metzger of the University of Central Florida argue the IAU's planetary definition is scientifically unworkable, while others such as writer Laurel Kornfeld have campaigned against the ruling since the day it was announced. The dispute remains largely an American phenomenon, tied partly to national pride since Pluto was discovered by a US astronomer in 1930.
theguardian.com
· 2026-08-31
It has been two decades since the International Astronomical Union voted in August 2006 to strip Pluto of its planetary status, reclassifying it as a dwarf planet after astronomers discovered a similarly sized object, later named Eris, in 2005. The decision remains contentious, with figures like NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and actor William Shatner recently arguing Pluto deserves to be called a planet again.
cnet.com
· 2026-08-24
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