Topic: Southwest Research Institute

Asteroid Vesta: Is it really an asteroid?

The humongous asteroid Vesta is actually a protoplanet left over from the early days of our solar system, new observations from a NASA space probe suggest. 

NASA's dazzling northern lights launch aims to study 'space weather'

The two-stage suborbital rocket was part of a NASA-funded study into how the northern lights can affect signals from GPS satellites and other spacecraft.

Scientists intrigued by atoms from beyond the solar system

NASA's IBEX spacecraft has snagged atoms that came from outside our solar system. Interstellar space includes the raw material that becomes new stars, planets, and organic life. 

'Alien' matter from beyond solar system discovered by NASA

This so-called interstellar material was spotted by NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer, a spacecraft that is studying the edge of the solar system from its orbit about 200,000 miles above Earth.

Solar storms: Two breakthroughs could lead to better warnings

The solar storms that cause blackouts and damage satelites have always been hard to predict, but two new methods of monitoring them could lead to much more accurate forecasts.

'Next stop, Jupiter': NASA's mission to the giant planet blasts off

NASA launches Juno, its newest planetary explorer, on a 1.7 billion-mile, five-year voyage to Jupiter. Scientists hope to pierce Jupiter's cloudy veil and fill in the blanks on the origins of the oldest planet.

What NASA hopes to learn from Juno spacecraft on Jupiter mission

Jupiter, perhaps more than any object in the solar system, is thought to hold the key to understanding planet formation. On Friday, NASA sends the Juno spacecraft hurtling toward Jupiter to probe the planet's constituent parts.

Pluto moon discovery hints at future surprises for NASA probe

Pluto moon: The tiny new moon — announced July 20 and called P4 for now — brings the number of known Pluto satellites to four.

Hidden sea on a Saturn moon? New evidence says yes.

Satellite Cassini flew through geyser plumes spouting from Enceladus and gathered ice crystals. These crystals are salt-rich, suggesting that a hidden salty sea lurks beneath Enceladus's icy cap.

After the space shuttle, astronaut corps awaits a new mission

NASA's once-iconic astronaut corps will shrink but still play a vital role as the space shuttle era comes to an end.

Alien fossils found in meteorite? Scientists urge skepticism.

Alien fossils have been discovered in meteorites from outer space, claims a NASA astrobiologist. Other scientists are urging caution.

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?