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 June 16

Northern Lights above Lofoten
Image Credit & Copyright: Alex Conu

 

Explanation: The Aurora Borealis or northern lights are familiar visitors to night skies above the village of Reine in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, planet Earth. In this scene, captured from a mountaintop camp site, the auroral curtains do seem to create an eerie tension with the coastal lights though. A modern perspective on the world at night, the stunning image was chosen as the over all winner in The World at Night’s 2016 International Earth and Sky Photo Contest. Selections were made from over 900 entries highlighting the beauty of the night sky and its battle with light pollution.

Moon and Mars on June 16

Tonight – June 16, 2016 – look for the bright waxing gibbous moon first thing after sunset. As dusk gives way to darkness, watch for the red planet Mars to pop out in the moon’s vicinity. Because Mars shines so brightly in Earth’s sky in June 2016, we expect this world to withstand tonight’s drenching moonlight and to be a spectacular sight near the moon.

At nightfall, watch for the planet Saturn and the star Antares to join up with the moon and Mars on this moonlit night. Both Saturn and Antares are respectably bright but neither comes close to matching the brilliance of Mars. Look for Mars to outshine Saturn, and for Saturn to outshine Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion. At present, Mars shines 5 times more brightly than Saturn, and about 12 times more brightly than Antares.

Of course, Mars and Saturn are planets, so these worlds shine by reflecting the light of the sun. Antares, on the other hand, is a star shining by its own light.

For our purposes, we can regard Antares as a steadfast 1st-magnitude star; that is, it’s one of the sky’s brightest stars. Strictly speaking, though, this star’s magnitude is very slightly variable.

Mars and Saturn are planets and so shine with reflected sunlight. As seen in Earth’s sky, the brightness of Mars, fourth planet outward from the sun, varies much more greatly than the brightness of Saturn, sixth planet outward. But that’s not an intrinsic difference in Mars’ brightness. It’s based on Mars’ distance from us, and also something called opposition surge. Mars at its most distant point from Earth lies some 7 times farther away than at Mars at its closest. Mars was closest on May 30, 2016, and that’s why it’s still so bright in our sky. At its brightest, Mars shines some 50 times more brightly in our sky than it does at its faintest.

Saturn, the farthest world that we can easily see with the unaided eye, lies only about 1.4 times more distant from Earth at its farthest point than at its closest point. Saturn at its brightest is about 5 times brighter than at its faintest.

But Saturn’s brightness is determined not only by its distance, but also by the angle of tilt of its highly reflective rings with respect to Earth. Saturn’s greatest brilliancy in our sky happens when Saturn is closest to Earth and its rings are maximally titled our way. This last happened during the opposition of December 31, 2003, and will next happen at the opposition of December 24, 2032.

By the way, Jupiter’s variation in brightness is less than that of either Mars or Saturn. Jupiter is about three and one-half times brighter at its brightest than at its faintest.

On June 16, 2016, use the moon to find Mars, whose variation in brilliance far exceeds that of any other bright planet orbiting the sun outside Earth’s orbit. Besides Mars, the other two bright superior planets are Saturn and Jupiter.

 

Author

The Wisdom of Buddha

There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.

Your Daily Influences
June 16, 2016

 

Three of Wands
Hope, strength and world power will be realized. Arrogance is your enemy. Partnerships may bring your hopes to a good end

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sowilo
The Sun Rune, denotes power and strength. That which you want may be attained. Sowilo also denotes mental clarity and added warmth to your relationships.

 

 

 

The Hand
The hand indicates someone is making an effort to violate this aspect of your life. The devices attached indicate you will need tools to be successful in your protection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:
There are papers in your near future. This aspect is affect by legal papers of some kind–a contract, a deed or a license of some kind. These papers will bring improvement to your life.

General Description:
The people of Tibet are most superstitious. It is the custom for almost everyone to wear charms. The Amulet-box illustrated contains small inscribed scrolls covered with magical characters. These magical formula are written and blessed by their Lamas. The scrolls are believed to be all powerful spells for appeasing evil spirits, keeping the wearers from all physical harm, safeguarding them from every kind of danger, and protecting them from the blighting effects of the evil eye. Many of these charm boxes are of gold elaborately chased, and encrusted with turquoise.

The Three Dragons Reading for Today

In Chinese Culture the Dragon is generally considered a sign of great luck and power. However the Red, Green and White Dragons in Mahjong represent three distinct influences that can affect your life. The Dragon Reading creates a relationship between sets of tiles to each Dragon to explore how the Three Dragons will influence you now and in the near future.

 

The Red Dragon represents success, achievement and fulfillment. The three tiles under the Red Dragon tile will influence the power your Red Dragon currently has in your life.

 

 

 

 

Circles 7
Symbol: Insect
The Insect tile indicates short-term gain through a short flurry of hectic work. It is important to realize that the gains the Insect tile offers are not lasting, or of long-term importance. At best they are a stopgap until more substantial goals come along.

 

 

 

Bamboo 6
Symbol: Water
The Water tile denotes a need for communication. A trip may be necessary to communicate properly. You may be called upon to present proof of ownership or that an event actually took place.

 

 

 

Bamboo 3
Symbol: Toad
The Toad tile indicates some troubling moments along your life’s path, but these aches will heal. It also suggests your ambition may be greater than your reach.

Your Daily Tile
June 16, 2016 

Bamboo 3
Symbol: Toad
The Toad tile indicates some troubling moments along your life’s path, but these aches will heal. It also suggests your ambition may be greater than your reach.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Magus

The Magus is the physical embodiment of decisive action based upon knowledge and aimed squarely at specific goals. Thoroughly Yang by nature and firmly set in the material world, he none-the-less has a powerful spiritual connection as well. His knowledge, wisdom and skill are all encompassing. He is complete. His power as a creator is unmatched on our earthly plane. He is self-aware and unafraid to act. His enormous strength gives him the freedom to act as he chooses. However, responsibility comes with that freedom. Because he is not bound to the restraints of others he must choose how to act. The question that always lies before him is should he act morally, or forsake ethics for personal gain.

As a daily card, The Magus suggest you currently possess a tremendous power and freedom to move your life in any direction you choose. In short, you can make things happen. Your true challenge at the moment is to move forward without trampling the dreams of others. Fortunately your moral fiber is strong as well, and will guide you down the right path.