Solar System Discoveries
Who discovered the planets? For many of the planets in the solar system, we'll never know! Some planets are so bright in the sky that the first observers of these planets are lost in the distant past of early civilizations. Venus was carefully observed in early Mesoamerican cultures. The most distant planets were discovered in the last century, and we're now still discovering Dwarf planets, in our solar system and beyond. Visit the links here to find out more about what we know about the discovery of planets."
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Explore Solar System Discoveries
Discovery of Mercury
Mercury's orbit is so close to the Sun that it is hard to see from the ground. This is why ...Read more
Discovery of Venus
Venus is one of the brightest objects in the sky. It is always found near the Sun. It rises ...Read more
Discovery of Mars
Mars is a bright, red object in the sky. It is very easy to see, which means that even people ...Read more
Discovery of Jupiter
Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system! It's also very bright in the sky. We don't ...Read more
Discovery of Saturn
Saturn is the second largest planet in our solar system. It is also very bright in the sky. ...Read more
Discovery of Uranus
Uranus was discovered in 1781 by William Herschel. He argued with his friends over its name. ...Read more
Discovery of Neptune
Neptune was discovered in 1846. But it wasn't discovered using a telescope. Scientists used ...Read more
Discovery of Pluto
The ninth planet in our solar system is Pluto. It was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. ...Read more
Discovery of Ceres
Ceres is the largest asteroid in the main asteroid belt. It was classified as a "dwarf ...Read more
Discovery of Haumea
Haumea is a dwarf planet in our Solar System. Haumea is officially the fifth dwarf planet. ...Read moreMore about Solar System Discoveries
- Discovery of Makemake
- Discovery of Eris
- What is a Planet
- Exoplanets
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Did you know?
Did you know that our Solar System has a new dwarf planet? Astronomers have officially categorized Haumea as a dwarf planet.Do you know how far away the Oort cloud is?
Earth and Space Science Concept of the Day
Do you know what this word or phrase means?Dip-slip fault
xDip-slip fault : Dip-slip faults are inclined fractures where the blocks have mostly shifted vertically. If the rock mass above an inclined fault moves down, the fault is termed normal, whereas if the rock above the fault moves up, the fault is termed reverse.
Click on the word to find out!
Research Highlights
Even in the Desert, Plants Feel the Heat of Global Warming
Scientists who study plants in the Sonoran Desert are worried about global warming. Desert winters have become warmer and drier over the years, and climate changes have pushed the arrival of winter rains...Read more
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Real Climate: climate science from climate scientists
Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information.
