This month's article
Ixionidae is the nearest known exoplanet from Earth. The planet orbits around the nearest star system Alpha Centauri around the component star Alpha Centauri B, 4.4 light-years away from us. The planet masses 1.28 times that of Earth and takes 3.236 days to orbit at a distance of just more than 1⁄30 the Earth-Sun distance. Due to its small distance, the planet torches at a temperature of 1400°F, and is a lava planet due to this high temp and strong tidal forces from its nearby sun.
This month's image
City planets have patterns of lighting on the night side seen from space. In this view, circle patterns are seen along with edge of daylight in the crescent phase.
Did you know...
- ... that astraphobia means the fear of thunder and lightning?
- ... that heavy metal is the fusion genre of blues rock and psychedelic rock?
- ... that the baseball matchup between Red Sox and White Sox is known as the Pink Sox Series?
- ... that same-sex marriage was recently legalized in the US?