Topic: Carnegie Institution of Washington

Planetary wrecking balls: how Jupiter might have destroyed Earth

'Hot Jupiters' are Jupiter-mass planets orbiting close to stars. A study suggests that they might have been kicked inward from their original orbit, destroying or ejecting other planets. 

Climate change report: time to start preparing for the worst

It's time to start protecting people from the impact of severe-weather events, a panel says. The report offers further evidence of how the climate change conversation is shifting. 

NASA's Messenger probe beams back amazing images of Mercury

NASA's Messenger probe, the first spacecraft ever to orbit Mercury, has already taken more than 20,000 images.

NASA probe poised to be first to orbit Mercury

After a journey of 6 1/2 years, nearly 15 laps around the sun, NASA's Messenger spacecraft will perform its orbital insertion maneuver on Thursday, becoming the first spacecraft to enter Mercury's orbit.

Gliese 581g, a new planet like Earth: Could humans live there?

Gliese 581g would be the first Earth-like planet found orbiting in a star's habitable zone. The new plant is located in a region where temperatures could sustain life and liquid water on its surface.

Climate-change study: Today's power plants aren't the problem

But tomorrow's could be, unless efforts to combat climate change include much more development of carbon-free sources of energy. The findings appear Thursday in the journal Science.

Gulf oil spill: Can earth survive the disaster?

Gulf oil spill is a crude reminder of the many ways humans are fouling the planet. Can Earth survive?

Ancient meteorites in Antarctica could reveal origins of Solar System

Uncovered in the central part of Antarctica, the two tiny meteorites appear to have come from ancient comets.

NASA's Messenger probe reveals new clues about Mercury

Mercury, the oddest of the rocky planets, has been little understood by scientists. But on a swing by the planet, NASA's Messenger sent back intriguing data about Mercury's surface minerals and volcanic activity.

Could technology repair Earth’s climate?

EarthTalk: Scientists study ways to pull greenhouse gases out of our atmosphere, but the idea is controversial.

NASA's CO2 satellite tanks, unlike CO2 levels themselves

Name that bat for the holidays

Paleontology, without the fossils

Scientists look at ‘genetic footprints’ in yeast and study mineral development to learn more about Earth's primordial past.

A 124-mile view of Mercury's mysteries

Monday's flyby, the first visit in 33 years, is expected to render new images and data that can shed light on the origins of the solar system.