Planetary Science Institute

Understanding Our Home World...
and Beyond.

A private nonprofit corporation dedicated to scientific discovery and public education in planetary science

Our Science

Featured News

Candice Hansen-Koharcheck, a Planetary Science Institute senior scientist since 2010, died on April 11 after a valiant three-year battle with cancer. Her career spanned nearly 50 years, during which she authored more than 300 journal…

During the week of April 20, Planetary Science Institute members participated in various events in Washington, D.C. to garner Congressional support for space sciences. On Monday, they joined the more than 130 space advocates at…

While sorting through images of objects in our galaxy, citizen scientists identified thousands of mysterious objects that have come to be known as “yellowballs.” The images containing yellowballs were then compiled into a catalog by a…

The Artemis II crew spotted Pierazzo Crater on day five of their round-trip around the Moon, commenting on the brightness of the far side rayed crater, named after our late Planetary Science Institute colleague, Elisabetta…

Planetary Science Institute Senior Scientist James Lyons studies isotopes – atoms of the same name and chemical properties but with variations in mass – from Earth, Mars, the Sun, the Solar nebula and protoplanetary disks.…

Our Mission

The Planetary Science Institute exists to

  • enable our researchers to study the origin, characteristics, and evolution of planetary systems, including our Solar System, Earth itself, and planetary systems around other stars;
  • enable our educators to convey the resulting knowledge to the scientific community, and to the public at large to promote science education and science literacy;
  • enable our people to use this knowledge to advance human activity in space and shape the future of exploration of the solar system.
  • About PSI

    Sci Art

    This week’s example of Sci-Art is a unique visualization of Venus. Entitled Asterio Regio, this painting by Marilynn Flynn depicts a view of active volcanic vents under the cloudy, luminous skies of Venus. The artist was influenced by the volcanic landscapes observed at Kilauea Volcano during the first International Space Art Workshop by the group that formed the International Association of Astronomical Artists.