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The Latest Breaking News from the International Astronomical Union

For $40, you can name a star for your Valentine. But it won’t mean much

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, romance is in the air. And what could be more romantic than a picnic under the stars, pointing up to the night sky, and gazing at a star you’ve named for your Valentine?

The Conversation

Light pollution is encroaching on observatories around the globe – making it harder for astronomers to study the cosmos

Light pollution is encroaching on observatories around the globe – making it harder for astronomers to study the cosmos

Outdoor lighting for buildings, roads and advertising can help people see in the dark of night, but many astronomers are growing increasingly concerned that these lights could be blinding us to the rest of the universe.

The Conversation

Saturn has 128 more moons than astronomers previously thought

Saturn has 128 more moons than astronomers previously thought

The sixth planet from the Sun now has a grand total of 274 moons

The Independent UK

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Saturn now has 274 moons – but exactly what makes something a moon remains unclear

Earlier this week, Saturn gained a whopping 128 new official moons, as the International Astronomical Union recognised discoveries from a team of astronomers led by Edward Ashton at the Academia Sinica in Taiwan. The sixth planet from the Sun now has a grand total of 274 moons, the most of…

The Conversation

Is Pluto a planet or not? Who cares! Our love for the King of the Kuiper Belt is stronger than ever 95 years later

On the 95th anniversary of its discovery, Pluto remains one of the most beloved and enigmatic worlds in our solar system, whether you call it a planet or not.

Strange 'quasi-moon' of Earth gets named Cardea, after goddess of door hinges

A quasi-moon of Earth has been given a name. It's Cardea, after the goddess of door hinges.

Strange "quasi-moon" of Earth will get one of these 7 names

A panel of experts has picked seven finalists for the name of asteroid (164207) 2004 GU9, a "quasi-moon" of Earth. You can vote for your favorite through Jan. 1, 2025.

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The Pluto problem: Is it time to rethink our definition of a planet?

The Pluto problem: Is it time to rethink our definition of a planet?

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) famously demoted Pluto to a dwarf planet. Things have been a bit of a mess since then — so is it time to redefine the planet?

Pluto mission: South African astronomers join forces with NASA to learn more about the dwarf planet

Pluto mission: South African astronomers join forces with NASA to learn more about the dwarf planet

When the International Astronomical Union announced in 2006 that Pluto was being demoted from its status as the Sun’s ninth planet, many astronomers and non-experts alike were shocked.

The Conversation

Earth has 7 strange quasi-moons — and you could name one of them

Earth has 7 strange quasi-moons — and you could name one of them

The International Astronomical Union has partnered with the Radiolab podcast to present a quasi-moon-naming contest.

Meet Kerala astronomer Aswin Sekhar, whose name shines bright on an asteroid

Meet Kerala astronomer Aswin Sekhar, whose name shines bright on an asteroid

The International Astronomical Union, earlier this year, named a minor planet after Indian meteor astronomer Aswin Sekhar

PM welcomes Thai name selection for star, planet

PM welcomes Thai name selection for star, planet

The prime minister has welcomed reports that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has selected Thai-nominated names for distant celestial bodies.

Thai names chosen for distant stars

Thai names chosen for distant stars

Two Thai names are among 20 pairs selected by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for exoplanets and their host stars, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit).

Solar system guide: Discover the order of planets and other amazing facts

Solar system guide: Discover the order of planets and other amazing facts

Explore the eight (or nine) planets of the solar system in order from nearest to the sun and discover the many wonders of our solar system along the way.

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