Penny Wozniakiewicz
Planetary scientist
Dr Penny Wozniakiewicz is a planetary scientist and space dust expert based at the University of Kent.
Recent articles by Penny Wozniakiewicz
What causes a meteor shower?
Where do meteors come from, and what causes a meteor shower? A guide to the science of shooting stars.
Venus is the hottest planet, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun. This is why
Mercury orbits closer to the Sun, so why isn't it hotter than Venus?
Why is Mars red?
What gives the soil on Mars its red colour, lending our planetary neighbour its moniker the Red planet?
Could there be life on hellish Venus?
What would happen if Earth stopped spinning?
If Earth's spin gradually slowed down, it would have a profound impact on technology, weather and life itself.
Why astronomers are searching for water beyond Earth
Why is finding water beyond Earth so important?
Which planet and Solar System bodies have largest oceans?
Why Neptune is blue? A recent discovery suggests we've been given a false view of the planet for decades
What makes planet Neptune blue and why did a recent discovery claim its colour is actually more like Uranus's than conventionally thought?
Where did Earth get its water from?
What are the origins of water in interstellar space, the Solar System and on Earth?
Where we find water in space and why it's so important
Astronomers seem determined to find water in space, but why? A guide to where we find water beyond Earth and why it's vital that we do.
What's the farthest planet from Earth?
Following Pluto's reclassification in 2006, Neptune is the farthest planet from Earth in our Solar System.
Why do astronomers study samples from other worlds?
How are samples from other worlds analysed by scientists, and what can we learn from them?