Mars

Japan launches uncrewed space mission to become first to gather samples from Mars' moon Phobos

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Martian Moons eXploration spacecraft lifted off aboard an H3 rocket before dawn from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.

|ByREUTERS
The H3 rocket carrying the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) rover bound for Mars' moon Phobos lifts off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Minamitane, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, October 20, 2026 in this photo taken by Kyodo.
A handout image taken by the Artemis II crew captures craters dotting the surface of the Moon, revealing its rugged, ancient surface, photographed by the NASA Artemis II crew from the Orion spacecraft during the lunar flyby mission, April 6, 2026.

Jordan joins Artemis Accords, int'l principles for exploring Moon, Mars, space, NASA says

NASA announced Jordan has joined the Artemis Accords, an international agreement covering peaceful and transparent exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

|ByJAMES GENN
A "selfie" taken by NASA's Perseverance Mars rover, made up of 62 individual images, on July 23, in this image released on September 10, 2025

Water on Mars? Scientists discover 'bathtub ring' which may reveal contours of ancient ocean

Like Earth and the solar system's other planets, Mars formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago. Early in its history, Mars was warmer and wetter than the cold and arid place it is today.

|ByREUTERS
NASA astronaut and Artemis II Pilot Victor Glover is pictured here in the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II lunar flyby April 6, 2026.

Artemis II astronauts return to Earth after historic crewed mission to the Moon

After 10 days in space, Artemis II astronauts are set for a splashdown in the Pacific, marking humanity’s return to the Moon's vicinity for the first time since Apollo.

|ByREUTERS

UAE, NASA missions find 'patchy' auroras in Mars atmosphere

The new type of aurora is formed with the solar wind hitting Mars' dayside upper atmosphere and emits ultraviolet light as it slows down.

AUGUST 31, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Diagram showing how patchy proton auroras are formed.

Why did rocks from the Mars Perseverance rover surprise scientists?

Rocks collected by the Mars rover could help scientists figure out if Mars could support life and, if so, when.

AUGUST 26, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie near rock nicknamed “Rochette,” found on Jezero Crater’s floor, on Sept. 10, 2021, the 198th Martian day, or sol, of the mission.

This Israeli firm helped NASA study Mars, will help study Jupiter's moon

Ricor Cryogenic Systems, located on Kibbutz Ein Harod in northern Israel, built a cooling system for NASA’s Curiosity rover and will do the same for the Europa Clipper mission.

AUGUST 24, 2022ByYAFIT OVADIA
An artist’s illustration of a NASA rover making its way to the Martian surface.

How can crops be grown on Mars? These plants are the key - study

Researchers found that it is possible to grow food crops on Mars using an alfalfa based-fertilizer.

AUGUST 20, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Growth of radish plants in alfalfa treated basaltic regolith simulant soil using fresh water (left), unfiltered (middle) or filtered (right) biodesalinated water.

Earth averted Mars-like fate with inner core restoring magnetic field - study

The magnetosphere, meaning Earth's magnetic field, is essential in allowing Earth to remain habitable. This is because it acts as a shield, protecting the planet from cosmic radiation.

JULY 29, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The magnetosphere protects Earth from cosmic radiation and solar winds (Illustrative).

Volcanic eruption on Mars produced a rare mineral - study

Rice University's scientists teamed with NASA and the California Institute of Technology to solve the mystery that stunned them on their Mars research.

JULY 29, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured these clouds just after sunset on March 19, 2021, the 3,063rd Martian day, or sol, of the rover’s mission. The image is made up of 21 individual images stitched together and color corrected so that the scene appears as it would to the human eye.

What can a Martian meteorite teach us about Earth’s origins?

The chemistry of the meteorite indicates that Mars had volcanic activity similar to that on Earth, recording the first stage of Mars’ geological evolution.

JULY 16, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun (illustrative).

NASA experiment searches for amino acids in investigation into possible life on Mars

A discovery of amino acids on the planet could indicate signs of past Martian life that is now extinct.

JULY 3, 2022ByGADI ZAIG
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun (illustrative).

NASA calls on public to help it study the clouds of Mars

NASA has 16 years' worth of data on Mars's atmosphere, but clouds can best be seen with the naked eye. So they need your help to find them in order to understand the atmosphere better.

JULY 1, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun (illustrative).

Five planets align perfectly, visible until end of June

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible every morning until the end of June in an alignment not seen since 1864.

JUNE 22, 2022ByARIELLA MARSDEN
The solar system.