Our Daily Planet: Lunar Eclipse and Holiday Travel

Each weekday morning, OurAmazingPlanet takes the pulse of the Earth, reporting on natural phenomena and exploration news from around the globe.

Winter Solstice: People around the world will celebrate the winter solstice tomorrow. So just what is the winter solstice anyway?

Illegal Trade Rises: As wealth increases across Asia, so does illegal wildlife trade, according to the wildlife trade monitoring group Traffic.

Green Alps: The Alps may be going green, and that's not a good thing.

Bald Eagle Comeback: Bird-watchers in eastern Pennsylvania spotted a record number of migrating bald eagles this fall.

Frozen Travel: Snow and cold weather have put the freeze on holiday travel across much of Europe.

Previously on Our Daily Planet: Golden Snowball Award and Christmas Bird Count

Reach OurAmazingPlanet staff writer Brett Israel at bisrael@techmedianetwork.com. Follow him on Twitter @btisrael.

Brett Israel was a staff writer for Live Science with a focus on environmental issues. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in journalism from New York University, and has studied doctorate-level biochemistry at Emory University.