1: Fireworks predicted from Rare Stellar Encounter in 2018

Happy New Year!

*Fireworks predicted from Rare Stellar Encounter in 2018 Astronomers are gearing up for high-energy fireworks in the next few months when a pulsar plows through the outer atmosphere of one of the galaxy’s brightest stars. The cosmic light show spectacular will occur just 5000 light years from Earth – astronomers aren’t sure exactly when – but it will be soon. 

*Bright Areas on Ceres Suggest Geologic Activity If you could fly aboard NASA's Dawn spacecraft, the surface of the dwarf planet Ceres would generally look quite dark, but with notable exceptions. These exceptions are the hundreds of bright areas that stand out in images Dawn has returned. 

*2018 promises to be another stellar year for astronomy There’ll be three partial Solar Eclipse in 2018. And as solar eclipses always occur about two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse there’ll be a couple of total lunar eclipses as well. 

*Cometary close encounter The next big cometary visitor scheduled to make a close encounter with Earth is the comet 46P/Wirtanen which will appear in time for Christmas 2018. 

*The Science Report A new study confirms that gay kids are far more likely to commit suicide. Same sex couples are generally happier than straight or bi couples. Climate change made Hurricane Harvey three times more likely and 15 percent more intense. New computer simulations provide some surprises about the Yellowstone super volcano. Humans may have reached their maximum limits for height, lifespan and physical performance. Experts warn of a significant peak in chocolate poisoning for dogs and cats over the holidays. 

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