On March 7 and 8, morning twilight will bring with it a thin crescent moon floating near bright Venus and dim Mars as morning twilight arrives – binoculars may help you spot these two planets low in the east about one hour before sunrise. Mercury is our closest planet — on average — as its…
Scientists have recently discovered an exoplanet which lies closer to Earth than ever before – within just four light-years and within its star’s habitable zone, where liquid water could potentially exist on its surface. Planet 95% the size of our own Earth would likely be composed of rocks and soil; it likely orbits a red…
Astronomers are eagerly awaiting tonight, when Jupiter makes its closest approach to Earth in 59 years – an event known as planetary opposition. This asteroid may be smaller than many that have gained headlines, yet it comes much closer to Earth than those which remain thousands of miles away. Earth Earth is the sole planet…
Astrobiologists and advocates of human space colonization have long searched for planets similar to Earth in terms of conditions – with water bodies and an atmosphere that offers protection from cosmic radiation. Exoplanets circling stars other than our Sun are now estimated in the thousands, yet finding an Earth-like planet within its host star’s habitable…
Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, will come closer to Earth than ever in 59 years this Monday, making itself visible in the night sky as an enormous, bright spot. Astronomers can use any telescope to view its many moons and Great Red Spot (an oval twice wider than Earth) through telescopes. It…
Last week, scientists announced the discovery of an Earth-like planet orbiting Proxima Centauri — our closest star and source of life — which might support life. This exoplanet represents one of the nearest possible candidate planets for human habitation ever found so far. But how close are we cosmically speaking? To answer that question, we…
The closest planet to Earth changes over time depending on where each one stands in relation to the Sun in their orbital path. Jupiter will come closer to Earth than it has in 59 years on Monday, making its presence visible for those with an effective telescope. Venus Venus, our closest planet neighbor, lies approximately…
Astronomers have discovered a planet the size of Earth which orbits its host star within the habitable zone – meaning its surface could support liquid water life. Astronomers in search of alien life will take heart in this discovery, which indicates that rocky planets are far more widespread than previously assumed. Kepler-1649c Astronomers using data…
When asked to name the planet closest to earth in size, most will cite Venus. That is because Venus is the smallest of the rocky planets and passes close by Earth every time it orbits our Sun. But Mercury is actually our closest neighbor in terms of size – continue reading to discover why. Mercury…
