Tell us your list of the most impactful ways studying planets has changed in recent years.
The Voyager probes (one shown here in an artist’s interpretation) were originally intended to visit Saturn and Jupiter, but their success sent them onwards to Uranus, Nepture, and interstellar space. Credit: Kevin Gill/Wikimedia
- Planetary science has undergone significant changes in recent years.
- Discoveries include many exoplanets and hidden solar system oceans.
- Commercial spaceflight is a growing part of planetary exploration.
- Expert opinions on the field’s top advancements vary.
In our September 2025 issue, astronomer and Pluto mission leader S. Alan Stern explores how the field of planetary science has transformed during his decades-long career. From the discovery of exoplanets to finding hidden oceans throughout the solar system to the rise of commercial spaceflight, he lists his top five revolutions in planetary science in recent years.
Now, it’s your turn. You might be thinking that your list of top revolutions is not the same as Stern’s. We’d like to hear your ideas, whether they coincide with the list below or include options that aren’t even on it. We’ll use your answers to compile a final reader’s choice list of the top five revolutions in planetary science. Select up to five topics from the list below, including a blank write-in option where you can tell us what we’ve missed!
