Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 May 23

Inside a Daya Bay Antineutrino Detector
Image Credit & Copyright: DOE, Berkeley Lab – Roy Kaltschmidt, photographer

 

Explanation: Why is there more matter than antimatter in the Universe? To better understand this facet of basic physics, energy departments in China and the USA led in the creation of the Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. Located under thick rock about 50 kilometers northeast of Hong Kong, China, eight Daya Bay detectors monitor antineutrinos emitted by six nearby nuclear reactors. Featured here, a camera looks along one of the Daya Bay detectors, imaging photon sensors that pick up faint light emitted by antineutrinos interacting with fluids in the detector. Early results indicate an unexpectedly high rate of one type of antineutrino changing into another, a rate which, if confirmed, could imply the existence of a previously undetected type of neutrino as well as impact humanity’s comprehension of fundamental particle reactions that occurred within the first few seconds of the Big Bang.

Close and far Martian oppositions

Above Mars image via Hubblesite

Tonight – May 23, 2016 – we’re just one day past Mars once-in-26-months opposition. In other words, yesterday Earth flew between Mars and the sun. What a wonderful event!

When Mars is at opposition, the red planet lies opposite the sun in Earth’s sky. At such times, Mars rises in the east around sunset, climbs highest up in the sky around midnight, and sets in the west around sunrise. If you look for Mars tonight, you’ll see that’s still happening and will continue to happen for some weeks to come. Mars is now ascending in the east as the sun is sinking below the western horizon.

Mars comes closest to Earth every other year, around the time of opposition. Around now, Mars shines at its brilliant best in our sky. Has Mars passed closest to us? Not yet. Mars actually comes closest some days following its May 22 opposition, on May 30.

Oppositions of Mars are far from equal. That’s because Mars’ eccentric (oblong) orbit carries this world about 26 million miles (43 million km) closer to the sun at perihelion (nearest point in its orbit) than when Mars swings out to aphelion (its farthest point).

Oppositions that closely coincide with Mars at perihelion are much brighter and spectacular than distant oppositions that happen with Mars swinging out to aphelion. That makes sense. When we pass between Mars and the sun – and Mars is closest in its orbit to the sun – then Mars is closest to us.

This year’s opposition of Mars is a good one, although not as good as the 2018 opposition will be, with Mars coming to within 46.78 million miles (75.28 million km) of Earth on May 30, 2016.

The historically close opposition of Mars on August 28, 2003, found Mars at 34.65 million miles (55.76 million km) from Earth. This was the Earth’s closest approach to Mars since the Stone Age. The last time Mars came closer to Earth was nearly 60,000 years ago, on September 24, 57,617 B.C., when the red planet was 34.62 million miles (55.72 million km) distant.

In contrast, the very distant opposition of March 3, 2012, placed Mars at 62.62 million miles (100.78 million km) away.

Close (or distant) oppositions recur in periods of 15 to 17 years. So we’ll have another close opposition of Mars some 15 years after the historically close encounter on August 28, 2003. Mars will next present an extra-close opposition on July 27, 2018, though it won’t be as quite close as the opposition of August, 2003.

Very similar Martian oppositions take place every 79 years (15 + 17 + 15 + 17 + 15 = 79). These 79-year cycles repeat with only a delay of 2 to 5 calendar days. The super-close opposition of Mars in the year 2082 will fall on September 1, 2082. But once again, Earth and Mars won’t come as close as they had in August 2003.

There is a more exact cycle of 284 years (79 + 79 + 79 + 15 + 17 + 15 = 284). The Martian opposition that comes 284 years after the August 28, 2003, production will fall on August 29, 2287. This time around, Mars will actually come closer to Earth than it did during its historically close encounter with Earth in August 2003.

Because the Martian orbit is getting more eccentric (oblong), the closest oppositions will actually come closer to Earth, and the farthest oppositions will actually become more distant. The computational wizard Jean Meeus figures that from the years 0 to 3000, Mars will come closest to Earth on September 8, 2729 (55.65 million kilometers) and farthest away on March 6, 2832 (101.50 million kilometers).

Want to know more about close and far Martian oppositions? Click here.

While the time is at hand, enjoy the respectably close appearance of Mars in Earth’s sky during May and June of 2016.

Bottom line: Oppositions of Mars are far from equal. This post explains why Mars has near and far oppositions and shows why the 2016 opposition – although good – is not as good as the 2018 opposition will be

 

Author

Bruce McClure

Article published on EarthSky

 

 

 

 

 

Your Venus Sign

Explore the erotic style of Venus in every zodiac sign

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Venus in Gemini

Astrology’s love planet Venus gets the gift of gab

Part of the Daily Insight Group

The Words of Confucius

To see the right and not to do it is cowardice.

Consult the Psychic Eight Ball Oracle

Query: How will our week be?

Why do I keep asking? WHY!

Your Daily Influences
May 23, 2016 

 

 

Ten of Pentacles Reversed
You and your family may suffer through some misfortune. Be wary of high risk ventures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gebo
Gebo represents the coming of gifts and favors. While each are usually positive events, they often carry obligations with them. Gebo often represents strong bonds such as deep friendships and marriage.

 

 

 

Leo the Lion
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is pompous, patronizing, bossy, interfering, dogmatic and intolerant. This person is most likely a relative–the one you invite to family functions but only because you have too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect will be influenced by a sudden strong stroke of good fortune. This good fortune will be unpredictable and will last only a short time. It will bring with it good health, happiness and success.

General Description:
This talisman was a great favorite in olden times, and was composed of the Seven Vowels of the Greek Alphabet. The desired favours were supposed to be granted upon the correct utterance of the forty-nine different sounds of the Seven Vowels, each vowel having seven distinct methods of expression. Of the many benefits supposed to be conferred were – good health, happiness, wisdom, fortune, foresight, success in all undertakings, complete protection from moral, as well as physical ills, and control over the powers of darkness. The ancients thought that there was an affinity between the seven vowels and the seven planets which they believed kept this earth in existence.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Phoenix

The mythical, endearing Phoenix has long been a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and coming full circle. Tired in both body and spirit the aged Phoenix combust into flames and from its ashes is reborn. The Phoenix does not indicate change so much as it does renewal and revitalization. It denotes the completion of a cycle and beginning anew.

As a daily card, The Phoenix suggest you are at a place where some aspects of your life have reached the end of a cycle. Your energies may be weakened from use and stretched over too many arenas to be as effective as they once were. As a result, now may be a good time for you to take a step back and allow yourself time to revitalize both your physical and spiritual self.

Witches Rune for the Day

The Blank Rune

Meaning: This is a rune of difficulty and negative influences will rule your life for a time, but as all difficulties are a learning experience it will lead to improved personal perspective and progress on your life’s path. Always consult the surrounding runes with this stone. If it lies with a positive stone, it indicates that the pain of this experience will lead to a beneficial change in circumstances

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Universe

Like The Sun, The Universe brings good blessings. The Universe appears where all is in balance. It allows you to act effectively not only as an individual but as a member of a group too. The Universe promises contentment, fulfillment and completeness to those under its influence. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be moments of strife or discord in your life, but it does indicate that your trials and tribulations will be overcome; that ultimately you will know inner-peace and contentment. The Universe suggests you have found or will find your place in the scheme of things—that place where all is as it should be.

Your Daily Pyramid Reading for Today

 

 

Today’s Theme

King of Cups Reversed

Misused power and skill. Treachery and the loss of morality and money are possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Challenge

Aries Reversed

Aries reversed denotes a lack of energy and will.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Ally

Fire Reversed

Fire reversed denotes calamity that may be on a catastrophic level. Prepare to deal with changes you do not want.

 

 

 

 

Your Love Horoscopes for the Week of May 23rd

 

• General Horoscope

  Love planet Venus enters intellectual Gemini on Tuesday, remaining in this cerebral sign until June 17. As a result, your lover has to capture your mind before he or she can ever hope to capture your heart. This might be more difficult to achieve on Tuesday since Venus will immediately be at odds with Mars, still traveling retrograde. Lovers are likely to disagree about anything and everything, frustrating romantic plans. Mars retrogrades into Scorpio on Friday, forcing us to re-evaluate our approach to intimacy.

• Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19

  The mental connection between you and your partner will be more important than ever. The two of you might decide to attend a class together in order to learn more about a topic that interests you both. Or, it’s possible that you’ll make a concerted effort to have real conversations again instead of going through the motions in your day and forgetting to connect. In addition, you’ll re-evaluate joint finances after Friday.

• Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20

  Mars retrogrades into your relationship sector on Friday, and remains hibernating here until June 29. As a result, you and your mate are going to have to find a way to call the elephant in the room and move past whatever it is that makes you both so uncomfortable to work through. One of you might be afraid of moving forward with a deeper commitment. If so, hash it out honestly. Do your best to avoid defensive postures. That won’t help.

• Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20

  Get ready for a major edge in the romance department! On Tuesday Venus will enter your sign, and remains in Gemini until June 17. As a result, you’ll gain more powers of attraction to use at your disposal. Your magnetism will draw someone special to you easily, so if you’re single be sure to get out and show off your vibe! If attached, Tuesday might be a tricky day where you and your lover might feel like two ships passing in the night.

• Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22

  You might not have much luck in the romance department after Friday. Mars will retrograde into your true love sector where he’ll remain in hibernation mode until June 29. As a result, your sex life will be under construction at best, and nonexistent at worse. If you do meet someone new during this time, you’ll want to hold off on a sexual relationship. Otherwise, you might be quite disappointed by the time Mars regulates his orbit.

• Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22

  If you’ve been feeling lonely, you’ll begin to enjoy a lot more social fun this week. Venus will move into your social 11th house on Tuesday, supporting a romance between you and one of your pals if single. Or, it’s possible that you’ll decide it’s time to create a profile on one of the latest dating sites or apps. If you’re dating someone you might not want to introduce your sweetheart to pals early in the week. There could be some jealousy.

• Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEP 22

  Your lover might really make you look good this week. He or she might have connections to high places and if so, expect an introduction. Your reputation is likely to be enhanced because of your association with your partner, and until June 17, that will continue to serve you well. The only trouble is that on Tuesday it’s possible that someone in your family will accuse you of selling out. Don’t listen to green-eyed words.

• Libra Horoscope SEP 23 – OCT 22

  If you’re single, it’s possible that you’re about to meet someone special who expands your horizons intellectually as well as spiritually. This person might be from another part of the world or practice a religion different from yours. In some way he or she will offer you a perspective unique from your own and this will be the very quality that attracts you most. Get ready for that magic carpet ride!

• Scorpio Horoscope OCT 23 – NOV 21

  You might seriously begin to feel as if you’ve lost your mojo. If so, be patient with yourself and understand that the time is not quite right to begin anything new that requires all of your stamina to help succeed. This includes a new relationship. Mars will retrograde into your sign on Friday, signaling a time to re-evaluate your goals, including the ones that pertain to your love life. After June 29 you’ll get your sexy back. And it’ll be better than ever!

• Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21

  Your relationship is about to be blessed with an extra dose of harmony and support. Starting Tuesday and until June 17, Venus will move through your partnership sector. If you’re going through a rough patch with your sweetheart, this will go a long way toward helping you smooth things out. The only testy day might be on Tuesday when Venus simultaneously opposes Mars, retrograde in your sign. It looks like your ego needs to leave the building so you can maximize your love potential.

• Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19

  If you’re single, an office romance might begin to heat up. Pay attention to whether or not any of your coworkers is sending you flirty signals. It’s possible that you’ve been missing them up until now. You might also meet a new sexy someone at the gym while you’re in the middle of a workout, or even when you’re waiting in a crowded room to see one of your doctors for an appointment.

• Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18

  Love is in the air! Starting Tuesday, and until June 17, Venus will move through your romance sector, illuminating the strong potential for you to meet someone with the ability to capture your heart. If you’re single, this will be an ideal time to make the most of your social invitations. Don’t stay home on the couch! If you’re in a relationship, you and your partner might spend more time enjoying pleasurable activities that make both of you smile.

• Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20

  If you’re dating someone special, this might be a good week to introduce him or her to your family. Consider this after Tuesday and anytime until June 17 while Venus tours your domestic 4th house. Harmony between you and your clan will be stronger during this time, and as a result they will be quite receptive to anyone you bring home. Alternatively, if you’re in a steady relationship it’s possible that you and your sweetheart will consider moving in together.

   

  Part of the Daily Insight Group

 

 

 

 

 

A Taste of Tarot: Gemini and The Lovers

A look at the symbolism of Gemini’s Tarot Card, The Lovers

Part of the Daily Insight Group