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Planetary Science Discoveries
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Rings of Saturn
Discovered by Galileo in 1610, they showcase complex interactions and dynamics in planetary ring systems.
Geysers on Enceladus
2005, the Cassini spacecraft discovered cryovolcanic geysers shooting water ice, hinting at a subsurface ocean.
Discovery of Charon
1978, the discovery of Pluto's largest moon indicated gravitational influences affecting orbital mechanics.
Volcanism on Io
Discovered by Voyager 1 in 1979, this finding highlights Io as one of the most volcanically active bodies in the Solar System.
Subsurface Ocean on Europa
Evidence first emerged in the late 1990s, suggesting that this moon of Jupiter may harbor an ocean below its icy crust.
Great Red Spot on Jupiter
First observed in 1665, this enduring storm is a hallmark of planetary atmospheric studies.
Discovery of Water Ice on Mars
2001, confirmed by the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, indicating the potential for life and resources for future missions.
Atmosphere of Venus
1962, Mariner 2 confirmed the high temperatures and pressures of Venus's atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect theory.
Discovery of Pluto
1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, an important milestone in understanding the outer Solar System and Kuiper Belt.
Mountain on Vesta
2012, the Dawn mission revealed a mountain twice the height of Mount Everest, shedding light on impact processes.
Methane on Mars
Detected in 2003, the presence of methane can indicate active geological or possibly biological processes.
Discovery of Exoplanets
1992, the first confirmed detection of planets outside our Solar System, vital for the study of planetary formation and potential for life.
Liquid Methane Lakes on Titan
Confirmed by the Cassini-Huygens mission in 2004, these lakes suggest cryovolcanism and complex organic chemistry.
Discovery of Ceres
1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi, recognized as the first and largest object in the asteroid belt, key for understanding early Solar System history.
Oxygen on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
2015, detected by Rosetta mission, challenging ideas about the early Solar System's composition and the origin of water on Earth.
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