pace science and explorations provide the first-hand data for possible science breakthroughs and continue to push forward the frontiers of knowledge. The paper analyzes the global top discoveries which are grouped in 10 categories, based on the publications mainly in Nature and Science as well as major achievements by Chinese missions and experiments in 2023. These discoveries cover hot spots in the origin and evolution of the early universe, the lunar and planetary explorations, the search for exoplanets and characterization, heliophysics and manned spaceflight. The coming missions in 2024 are also prospected.

space science  /  scientific satellite  /  solar system probe  /  2023 hot spots