Io's lava is among the hottest things in the Solar System. Volcanoes like the one shown above in the Tvashtar Catena region on Io spew lava onto the moon's surface that reaches scorching temperatures. This gives Io a place among the hottest places in the Solar System. Get to know the other warm worlds and their frigid counterparts in our guide to some of the most extreme temperatures out there.
Magma or lava? What is the difference? When magma from the mantle passes through a planet's crust and reaches the surface, it turns into lava. But what is a mantle and what is a crust? Get the full breakdown of What are planets made of?from terrestrial worlds like Earth to ice and gas giants and even planets beyond our own Solar System.
NASA's solar navigation spacecraft has been launched. The advanced composite solar sail system (SCA3) launched into Earth orbit on April 23, beginning a mission to test a solar sail spacecraft with arms made of composite materials. This mission is based on the legacy of the Planetary Society Light sailing 2 mission, which demonstrated that small spacecraft like this one can use solar sails for controlled propulsion.
Action Day is approaching and you can participate from home. As members of the Planetary Society gather in Washington, DC, on April 29 to speak with their representatives in Congress about the value of investing in space science and exploration, you can echo those same messages from home. Complete our commitment form to take action at home and we will send you an email with instructions and special opportunities to send emails and make phone calls to your members of Congress.
Leave feedback about this