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Astronomers at Yale University and University of Toronto have identified something very new over in the Coma Cluster of galaxies 300 light years away – a surprising number of galaxies with masses comparable to Milky Way-type galaxies (large spirals loaded with stars) but with just 1% the number of stars.
Sometimes called ‘dark’ or ‘ultra-diffuse’ galaxies, these galaxies have the mass but not the stars. So the mystery is – how can they be SO massive yet have so few stars? It is such a new discovery that astronomers do not have any answers yet. Additional observers are discovering ‘dark galaxies’ in other clusters and the number observed is growing rapidly.
The Geminid Meteor Shower peaks Wednesday, but viewing it will be compromised by the light of a full moon.
Mars and Venus can be seen in the evening after sunset, and Jupiter in the pre-dawn sky.
Sunsets will come later by 30 – 45 seconds each day beginning this week!

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