What Makes a Planet, a Planet?

NASA’s Juno spacecraft is setting its sights on Jupiter.  There is still a lot to be learned from this major gas giant. Launched two weeks ago, the spacecraft will go on a five year journey to study Jupiter and collect basic information using better sensors than we had before. We expect to be able to complete the picture of how planets like this form and what really makes a planet, a planet? Also, the Keplar spacecraft whose mission is to  identify planets orbiting other stars has discovered a Jupiter like planet, but instead of being reflective it’s incredibly dark! And don’t miss what’s in the night sky this week. All this and more on this week’s Sky Talk.[audio: st20110822.mp3]