Jan 25 - What is a Planet?

January 25 What is a Planet? by:

Scientist proposes another new definition of a planet What's a planet? What's a dwarf planet? What's a brown dwarf? In recent years, astronomers have grappled with these definitions. The newest proposal comes from Johns Hopkins. 2018's 2nd supermoon on January 31 January has 2 full supermoons. The 2nd one comes on January 31. As the 2nd full moon of the month, it carries the name Blue Moon. Plus, it'll undergo an eclipse.   January 31 lunar eclipse: What scientists can learn The lunar eclipse on January 31 offers scientists a chance to see what happens when the surface of the moon cools quickly. Dwarf planet Ceres soon to be closest since 2009 Earth and Ceres will be closest for 2018 on February 1. Ceres hasn't been this close since 2009. Start looking for this tiny world - largest body in the asteroid belt - now.

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Dwarf planet Ceres soon to be closest since 2009 Ceres will be close to the 5th-magnitude star Tau Cancri on our sky's dome in late January and early February, 2018. Click here for a detailed chart.

Sun pillar over frozen lake, Sweden Nature photographer Jörgen Andersson posted this photo to EarthSky Facebook this week. Click here for more about sun pillars. Submit your photo to EarthSky here! Did a friend forward EarthSkyNews to you? Click here to get your own subscription!

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