Space and Astronomy

  Quote Former ‘10th planet’ officially named Eris – Space News – MSNBC.com Former ‘10th planet’ officially named Eris Once known as Xena, mini-world ignited debate over planethood The mini-world formerly known as 2003 UB313 or Xena, shown in this artist’s conception, has received an official name from the International Astronomical Union: Eris. Its moon Read more

  Full Story Largest Asteroid Might Contain More Fresh Water than Earth By Bjorn CareySPACE.com Staff Writer The largest known asteroid could contain more fresh water than Earth and looks like our planet in other ways, according to a new study that further blurs the line between planets and large space rocks. Astronomers took 267 images Read more

  Full Story Plan boosts solar system to 12 planets By Robert Roy Britt Senior science writer The tally of planets in our solar system would jump instantly to a dozen under a highly controversial new definition proposed by the International Astronomical Union. Eventually, there would be hundreds of planets, as more round objects are Read more