The Solar System, located in the Milky Way Galaxy, is our celestial neighborhood. Our Solar System consists of 8 planets, several dwarf planets, dozens of moons, and millions of asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. They are all bound by gravity to the Sun, which is the star at the center of the Solar System.
The Solar System, located in the Milky Way Galaxy, is our celestial neighborhood. Our Solar System consists of 8 planets, several dwarf planets, dozens of moons, and millions of asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. They are all bound by gravity to the Sun, which is the star at the center of the Solar System.
Exploring the Universe in our Collections
September 08, 2023
How Did We Discover the Planets?
August 01, 2023
Diamond in the Dark
June 19, 2023
AirSpace Season 7, Ep. 11: Mars!
May 09, 2023
AirSpace Season 7, Ep. 6: Drops From Jupiter
February 23, 2023
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Story Time: Mo the Mars Man
Presented Online
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Venus Rediscovered: An Astrobiological or Astrophysical Frontier?
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Diamonds in the Sky: Stars and Exoplanets
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Events
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The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
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Stargaze at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
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The Sky Tonight: Live Planetarium Show
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
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Exhibitions
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National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
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Kenneth C. Griffin Exploring the Planets Gallery
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Learning Resources
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STEM in 30: Mars Rovers
In this episode of STEM in 30; we explore the construction of the Mars rovers as well as the science that is being done 140 million miles away on the Red Planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o4QdvorzQs&t=6s
Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
Spacecraft, Solar System, Space
Student
cc-by-nc
40 Years of (Triton) Summer
On Triton; Neptune’s largest moon; seasons last an average of 40 years; complete with nitrogen snow. Here’s how Triton’s summer solstice compares to Earth’s.
https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/40-years-triton-summer
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16
Small solar system bodies, Space, Solar System
Student
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What’s New in Aerospace: Asteroid Day
Asteroid experts discuss the threats asteroids pose and how we are protecting ourselves from the danger they may cause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x51PO3WEzY
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 3, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 7, Grade 11, Grade 12, Grades 13-14, Grades 17-20, Grades 15-16
Astronomy, Space, Solar System
Student
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What’s New in Aerospace: Journey to Juno: A Look at the Historic Mission to Jupiter
Scott Bolton; lead scientist on the Juno mission; shares images of Jupiter; spoke of what we have learned from them; and revealed how you can get involved in the Juno mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYMMc-8vUUE
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 3, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 8, Grades 17-20, Grades 13-14, Grades 15-16, Grade 12, Grade 11, Grade 7
Spacecraft, Rockets, Solar System
Student
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My Path: Lockheed Martin Engineer Reflects On Learning From $1 Million Mistake (Danielle Richey)
Danielle Richey says Everybody experiences failure but it's how you deal with it that really makes a difference. Hear Richey talk about her career; which includes working on the Orion spacecraft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPwRqY2UVKg
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9
Aviation, Human spaceflight, Life sciences, Space, Women, Spacecraft, Solar System
Student
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Air and Space Live Chat: Explore the Solar System with the Smithsonian
During this episode join planetary scientists from the museum to learn more about their research on Mars and the icy moons of our solar system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyh-ulQxQ2A
Solar System, Space
Student
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PublicationsSee all Publications
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Spaceflight: A Concise History
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Planetary Tectonics
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Dwarf planets
Small solar system bodies
Exoplanets