Astronomy

October 22, 2024

JWST Discovers Icy Exoplanet That Looks Like an Eyeball May Have Liquid Ocean

Since its discovery in 2017, scientists believed that exoplanet LHS 1140 b was a gaseous planet similar to Neptune. However, thanks to data gathered by the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2023, astronomers believe this super-Earth may be quite different. The temperate exoplanet could actually be habitable and either covered in ice or have an atmosphere and liquid ocean.

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September 27, 2024

Astrophotographer Travels 3,000 Miles to Photograph Saturn’s Lunar Occultation

Lunar occultations are exciting events for any astrophotographer, as the Moon appears to pass in front of a celestial body. They're particularly thrilling when a planet is involved, and that was reason enough for astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy to travel nearly 3,000 miles. McCarthy flew all the way to Hawaii to get the best position for photographing the recent lunar occultation of Saturn. McCarthy didn't go just anywhere in Hawaii, but to Mauna Kea.

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September 19, 2024

Earth Is Temporarily Getting a “Mini-Moon” That Will Orbit Our Planet for the Next Two Months

For most of the last 4 billion years, the lonely Moon has kept Earth company. But on rare occasions, our planet's gravitational has brought other celestial bodies into its orbit. This is exactly how Earth will gain a “mini-moon” in less than two weeks, when a tiny asteroid known as 2024 PT5 circles our planet for a little under two months.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.