World News and Trends- Photographic proof: Planets exist outside our solar system

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For decades astronomers have suspected that planets orbiting around stars are present all over the universe—not just in our own solar system. In recent years something like 150 planets have been detected indirectly by scientific measurements of movements and light emissions emanating from the affected stars.

For decades astronomers have suspected that planets orbiting around stars are present all over the universe—not just in our own solar system. In recent years something like 150 planets have been detected indirectly by scientific measurements of movements and light emissions emanating from the affected stars.

But now "astronomers have produced what could be the first picture of a planet orbiting another star. They have photographed a reddish object apparently orbiting a star called GQ Lupi, which lies more than 400 light years from earth. If confirmed, the picture would be the first direct image of a planet outside the solar system" (The Sunday Times, April 10).

Discoveries of this type may have great—but as yet mostly unrealized—implications for the future of humankind. Man has a spiritual destiny and awesome potential far beyond what most people are able to imagine.

To understand the background behind this enduring human quest to somehow "reach the stars," please request our free booklets What Is Your Destiny? and Who Is God? (Source: The Sunday Times [London].)

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Jerold Aust

Jerold Aust has served in the ministry for 52 years, as a public speaker for 58 years, a published writer for 38 years, and is employed by UCG’s Media and Communications Services. He is a Senior Writer, interviewer, and editor for Beyond Today Magazine and has taught Speech Communication for UCG’s ministerial online program and the Book of Revelation for ABC.  

Jerold holds a BA in theology from Ambassador College, Pasadena (1968), an MA in Communication from California State University, Fullerton (1995), a distance-learning Ph.D (2006), and a Famous Writers School diploma in non-fiction writing (1973). Additionally, he studied post-grad communication at University of Southern California (1995), radio, TV, voice-overs, and Public Relations at Fullerton College (1995-1996), and graduate communication at Wichita State University (1978).  Jerold has taught communication at the University of South Alabama (7 years) and ABC (17 years). His published works include, Ronald Reagan’s Rhetoric: Metaphor as Persuasion and EZSpeakers: Public Speaking Made Easy in 7 Steps.  Jerold's overarching goal is to share with humankind its incredible destiny!

John Ross Schroeder

John died on March 8, 2014, in Oxford, England, four days after suffering cardiac arrest while returning home from a press event in London. John was 77 and still going strong.

Some of John's work for The Good News appeared under his byline, but much didn't. He wrote more than a thousand articles over the years, but also wrote the Questions and Answers section of the magazine, compiled our Letters From Our Readers, and wrote many of the items in the Current Events and Trends section. He also contributed greatly to a number of our study guides and Bible Study Course lessons. His writing has touched the lives of literally millions of people over the years.

John traveled widely over the years as an accredited journalist, especially in Europe. His knowledge of European and Middle East history added a great deal to his articles on history and Bible prophecy.

In his later years he also pastored congregations in Northern Ireland and East Sussex, and that experience added another dimension to his writing. He and his wife Jan were an effective team in our British Isles office near their home.

John was a humble servant who dedicated his life to sharing the gospel—the good news—of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all the world, and his work was known to readers in nearly every country of the world.