The Latest Breaking News from Pluto

Mystery molecule found on both Pluto and Saturn’s moon leaves astronomers stumped: ‘We cannot say what it is’

Molecule present on surface of both worlds is causing an unusual light absorption effect

The Independent UK · Jul 21

Scientists discover mystery molecule on Pluto and Saturn's moon Titan: 'We cannot say what it is'

Despite being separated by billions of miles, Saturn's moon Titan and the dwarf planet Pluto share an unexplained surface signature.

Space · Jul 20

Astronomers discover landslides on Pluto large enough to bury entire cities on Earth

Evidence for landslides down steep crater walls on Pluto have been found in imagery from NASA's New Horizons mission.

Space · Jul 16

NASA's New Horizons probe just woke up from hibernation 6 billion miles away beyond Pluto. What's it doing out there?

NASA's New Horizons probe has woken up in good health nearly 6 billion miles away beyond Pluto after spending nearly a year in hibernation.

Space · Jul 8

Science news this week: James Webb telescope finds a never-before-seen substance, China's 'Great Green Wall' grows faster than natural trees, and a Medici murder mystery is solved

July 4, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

LiveScience · Jul 4

James Webb telescope may have discovered a mysterious, never-before-seen substance on Pluto and Titan

A new study has identified a very specific wavelength of light missing from both Pluto and Saturn's largest moon, Titan. The surprising signal suggests that these worlds harbor an unknown molecule that has not yet been seen anywhere in the solar system or beyond.

LiveScience · Jul 2

In 1776, the solar system only had 6 planets. Now, it has 8. Does it end there?

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the history of the solar system tells its own story of exploration.

Space · Jul 1

Pluto and the Love, Hate, Longing: What Our Relationship With a Demoted Planet Says About Us

We Gave It a Name, So It Became OursPluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, a 24-year-old farm boy from Kansas working at the Lowell Observatory. An 11-year-old British girl named Venetia Burney suggested the name. Her grandfather passed it along. The International Astronomical Union accepted it. And just…

Times Life · Jun 25

A philosopher’s take on NZ’s bill to define who counts as a woman or man

In August 2006, at the general assembly of the International Astronomical Union in Prague, astronomers voted on a new definition of a planet, and Pluto was demoted.

The Conversation · Jun 9

What is Planet Nine, and where is it? Mystery of large hidden planet beyond Neptune explained

What is Planet Nine, and where is it? The question has fascinated astronomers for years. Scientists believe a massive undiscovered planet may exist in the outer Solar System. Although no telescope has directly observed it, unusual movements of Kuiper Belt objects, Extreme Trans-Neptunian Objects, sednoids, and other distant bodies continue…

The Economic Times · Jun 9