Astronomers propose a search for a theoretical kind of planet known as carbon planets, aka diamond planets. They say such planets might have been habitable.
The asteroid - discovered June 4 - is about 20 feet wide and will pass within about 100,000 miles (153,000 km) this afternoon according to clocks in North America.
Computer simulations show that the heart-shaped Sputnik Planum region on Pluto is covered with icy, churning, convective "cells," less than a million years old.
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.