Dawn Spacecraft Begins Approach to Dwarf Planet Ceres

Staff Writer, Nathaniel Diaz

Dawn / NASA 
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Crazy Engineering: Ion Propulsion and the Dawn Mission

As Dawn journeys across our solar system, the spacecraft will unearth the mysteries of more asteroids and a dwarf planet:

"Orbiting both Vesta and Ceres would be truly impossible with conventional propulsion. Thanks to ion propulsion, we're about to make history as the first spaceship ever to orbit two unexplored alien worlds," said Marc Rayman, Dawn's chief engineer and mission director, based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Thanks to this new ion propulsion system, we on Earth are in for a treat as Dawn investigates the beginnings of our space home. In fact May 9, 2015 is the date of NASA's Ceres Celebration. 

For more information, pictures, and research, visit: Dawn.

Source: NASA

Solution to Herbicides: Kill Weeds and Not the Environment

Staff Writer, Nicole Meyer-Greene
Pesticides / Weed Killer
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Here's a better alternative to commercial herbicides: 

Dawn dish soap can be substituted with natural alternatives, as long as the dish soap has de-greasing properties.

A Beautiful Night to Sit and Watch the Planets

Staff Writer, DL Mullan
Astronomy / Stargazing
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Tonight, the skies are clear for stargazing. 

In the early evening expect to see Mercury very close to the western horizon. Jupiter will set soon after as he trails Orion in the Constellation Gemini.

Mars and Saturn will dominate the sky for the rest of the evening until the waxing gibbous moon rises.

In the early morning hours, Venus will rise before the sun makes his appearance at dawn.  

8pm Skyline in Phoenix

Source: Weather Underground, AccuWeather