A Southwest Research Institute team developed a new geochemical model that reveals that carbon dioxide (CO2) from within Enceladus, an ocean-harboring moon of Saturn, may be controlled by chemical reactions […]
SWRI
Posted inAstrogeology, Press Release
Water-bearing Minerals Discovered On Asteroid Bennu
A Southwest Research Institute-led team discovered evidence of abundant water-bearing minerals on the surface of the near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu. Using early spectral data from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft orbiting the […]
Posted inCeres, Press Release
Evidence for Carbon-Rich Surface on Ceres
A team led by Southwest Research Institute has concluded that the surface of dwarf planet Ceres is rich in organic matter. Data from NASA’s Dawn spacecraft indicate that Ceres’ surface […]
Posted inEnceladus, Press Release
Evidence of Complex Organic Molecules In Plumes From Enceladus
Using mass spectrometry data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, scientists found that large, carbon-rich organic molecules are ejected from cracks in the icy surface of Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Southwest Research Institute […]
Posted inCeres, Press Release
The Origin of Organic Compounds on Ceres
Since NASA’s Dawn spacecraft detected localized organic-rich material on Ceres, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been digging into the data to explore different scenarios for its origin. After considering the […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Press Release
Study Shows How Radioactive Decay Could Support Extraterrestrial Life
In the icy bodies around our solar system, radiation emitted from rocky cores could break up water molecules and support hydrogen-eating microbes. To address this cosmic possibility, a University of […]
Posted inMars
Fresh water may flow just below the surface during Martian summers
Mysterious dark finger-like features on steep Martian slopes that lengthen downhill during the Red Planet’s warm season could be caused by flowing water, scientists at Southwest Research Institute and the […]