Planet + Renegade Moon = Ploonet
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Credits: NASA/Tim Pyle
A new study suggests that moons of some exoplanets might be pulled away from their planet parents to become independent star orbiters – not planets . . . but ploonets.
50 years ago Tuesday, Apollo 11 astronauts left earth bound to become the first humans to step onto another celestial body. Neil Armstrong writes a check to pay personal debts before he leaves for the moon!
The Franklin Institute’s “Summer of the Moon” program cranks up next week with Night Sky Observatory programs on Tuesday and Thursday, with a full day of programming next Saturday, July 20.
Turning to the night sky – The moon slides past Jupiter tonight, then Saturn on Sunday evening. Full moon is Tuesday night.
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Skytalk is hosted by WHYY's Dave Heller. Each week he discusses the latest news in astronomy with Dr. Derrick H. Pitts of the Franklin Institute.
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