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Comet Wirtanen Passes by the Earth Today Comet Wirtanen passes by the Earth. The kilometer-sized dirty snowball orbits the Sun every 5.4 years, ranging as far out as Jupiter and as close in as the Earth . Today Comet 46P/Wirtanen passes within only 31 lunar distances to the Earth, the closest approach in 70 years. If you know where to look (Taurus), you can see the comet through binoculars as an unusual blue smudge . Pictured a week ago, Comet Wirtanen was photographed in the sky beyond an old abandoned church in Skagen , Denmark . The image composite also captures the astrophotographer. After today , the comet will begin to fade as it recedes from the Earth and the Sun. December 16, 2018 via NASA https://ift.tt/2QU92RG Manage this Applet ...

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Space Though the odds do seem to be in our favor. When it comes to deadly asteroids, impact comes down to a few factors: size, material, speed, and location. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2QBfaz1"

Space It's not just a big deal for future space tourists, either. The work these companies are doing could be tremendously helpful in opening up more research opportunities to labs around the world. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2zYvvn3"

Gadgets ...and presents with 1,000 pieces. Not sure about what to get your friends or loved ones for the holiday? Have no fear, here are puzzle gifts for people who are puzzled about what to get. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2AAaVID"

Health These four charts show how the opioid epidemic is evolving. Since 2011, overdose deaths have risen by 54 percent, up from 41,340 to 63,632 in 2016. But within those deaths, there are a number of trends emerging. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2S2j68o"

Space 46P/Wirtanen will be fuzzy, green, and visible with the naked eye. On Sunday, December 16, the comet named 46P/Wirtanen will pass a mere 7 million miles from Earth and will look green and fuzzy as it passes in the night sky. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2zXSrmo"

Technology This cute new robot is a bundle of sensors and smarts. Here’s how it works. Here's what you need to know about the new delivery rover from Postmates. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2EwoXzH"

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Science Societies forget, and this physicist wants to know why. A team of social scientists tried to create a qualitative method for analyzing the process by which societies forget. The results were published this week. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2QtT4OE"

Gift Guides You know, those people that are always outside making you look lazy. Put that smart light bulb back in the re-gifting pile. Here's a gift guide for the friend or family member who is always outdoors, cutting up brush, and posting photos… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2rDejyW"

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DIY With paper, scissors, and tape—no gift bags required. Not every gift fits that traditional rectangular shape. Here are a few ways to wrap weirdly-shaped items with nothing but wrapping paper, tape, and scissors. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2QwJQkZ"

Health To keep your mind and body healthy, get some shut eye. There’s nothing better than a good night’s rest. But have you ever wondered why that’s true? It’s hard to understand how important sleep is to staying healthy and… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2SSDGZd"

Environment Plant scans are beautiful images—and important scientific documents. A national network of botanical research centers has banded together to scan and share disappearing plants. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2RT8XLq"

Gift Guides They're overworked and emotionally drained, but your gift could help. It’s cliche because it’s true: new parents never sleep. Unfortunately, shuteye isn’t something you can wrap up and hand to an adult. But there are plenty of ways to make… via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2QshJ6c"