A quarter of sunlike stars eat their own planets, according to new research

This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. Lorenzo Spina, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Italian National Institute for Astrophysics, and formerly Research Fellow, Monash University How rare is our solar system? In the 30 years or so since planets were first discovered orbiting stars other than our sun, we have found that planetary systems are common in the galaxy. However, many of them are quite different from the solar system we know. The planets in our solar system revolve around the sun…

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Best night sky events of September 2021 (stargazing maps)

See what’s up in the night sky for August 2021, including stargazing events and the moon’s phases, in this Space.com gallery courtesy of Starry Night Software. Related: Space calendar 2021: Rocket launches, sky events, missions & more   Wednesday, September 1 – Waning Moon close to Messier 35 (predawn) (Image credit: Starry Night) When the waning crescent moon rises among the stars of Gemini at about 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Sept. 1, it will be positioned a finger’s width to the upper left (or 1 degree to the celestial…

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Night sky, September 2021: What you can see this month [maps]

A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, and bright planets, often the moon, and sometimes special events like meteor showers. Observing the night sky can be done with no special equipment, although a sky map can be very useful. Binoculars or a good beginner telescope will enhance some experiences and bring some otherwise invisible objects into view. You can also use astronomy apps and software to make your observing easier, and use our Satellite Tracker page powered by N2YO.com to find…

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