Tag: naked eye

Three Nearby Earths

ryanLeave a comment
As the search for planets in the galaxy continues, there are two places to focus on: Distant stars with potential large planets, and nearby stars with potential small planets. If we are able to find Earth-like planets orbiting nearby stars, they will be prime targets for future generations to explore. Astronomers have just announced the discovery of three new planets orbiting a star only 40 light years from Earth.  The star is a very small red dwarf, only slightly larger than Jupiter, and even though it’s close to Earth, it can’t be seen with the naked eye or even with a large...

A New Comet, With Old Questions

ryanLeave a comment
Every time a comet slowly approaches the inner solar system, astronomers get excited.  We are hopeless romantics, wishing the new comet will brighten enough to be labeled the next ‘comet of the century.’  Yet we have had our hearts broken before, more often than not.  The most recent fizzled comet was nearly two years ago with the burn up of comet ISON as it passed close to the Sun.  It made for a spectacular view for SOHO and SDO looking at the Sun, but for the rest of us it was just another heartbreak.  But once again we have hope; A...