Topic: Southwest Research Institute

Should Pluto be restored as a planet? Experts weigh in.

New calculations indicate that Pluto might be the largest object in the outer solar system. Does it now deserve to be called a planet again?

It's easier to track small asteroids such as 2010 RF12 as they near Earth

2010 RF12 and its pal show improvements in asteroid detection

2010 RF12 and another small asteroid that passed close to earth Wednesday were detected three days before their fly-by, illustrating the improving capability of asteroid-spotting telescopes.

Scientists attempt to unravel the mysteries of asteroids

For years scientists had a hard time figuring out which asteroids the meteorites came from.

Halley's Comet and others may have formed around other stars

Halley's Comet and other named comets may have formed around other stars in the galaxy, but were snatched into orbit around the sun back when it was packed with hundreds of other stars.

New Hubble images reveal Pluto's dynamic surface

The most detailed images yet of Pluto, taken by the Hubble Telescope, reveal a yellow-black sphere whose surface appears to be among the most dynamic in the solar system.

Fresh from Venus, hints of an ancient ocean and a restless crust

Cassini spacecraft finds evidence for liquid water on Enceladus

On Saturn's moons, some unexpected hints of water

Cassini flyby reveals water vapor in plume from Enceladus. A hidden ocean on Titan?