Month: July 2016

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Blue Danube Analemma

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 July 29

Blue Danube Analemma
Image Credit & Copyright: György Soponyai

 

Explanation: The Sun’s annual waltz through planet Earth’s sky forms a graceful curve known as an analemma. The analemma’s figure 8 shape is tipped vertically at far right in this well-composed fisheye view from Budapest, Hungary. Captured at a chosen spot on the western bank of the Danube river, the Sun’s position was recorded at 11:44 Central European Time on individual exposures over days spanning 2015 July 23 to 2016 July 4. Of course, on the northern summer solstice the Sun is at the top of the curve, but at the midpoints for the autumn and spring equinoxes. With snow on the ground, the photographer’s shadow and equipment bag also appear in the base picture used for the composite panorama, taken on 2016 January 7. On that date, just after the winter solstice, the Sun was leaving the bottom of the beautiful curve over the blue Danube.

Earth Sky News for July 29th: Go someplace dark and watch meteors!

Go someplace dark and watch meteors!

By

Tonight – July 29, 2016 – and in the coming nights, treat yourself to one of nature’s spectacles. Every year, people look forward to the August Perseid meteor shower. And it’s wonderful, with regular rates of about 60 meteors per hour and with a possibility of a Perseid outburst in 2016. But there’s another meteor shower going on around now, too. It’s the Delta Aquarid shower, whose radiant point is shown on the chart above.

The Delta Aquarids don’t have as definite a peak as the Perseids. This shower is now producing a steady supply of meteors, which you can see in dark skies this weekend and in the coming weeks.

The Delta Aquarid shower reaches its nominal peak every year in late July. They’ll still be flying when the Perseids peak in August.

The moon is waning towards the new phase right now. And the Perseids are now rising to a peak. That makes late July and the first few weeks of August, in the hours before dawn, a good time to watch meteors.

The Perseid shower is expected to produce the greatest number of meteors on the night of August 11-12, 2016. It’s on that night that you might see the Perseid outburst, with perhaps 200 meteors per hour at the peak.

But you don’t need to see that many to enjoy watching meteors. And the Perseids are known to rise to a peak gradually, so they’ll be increasing in numbers every night over the coming weeks. Plus the Delta Aquarids will be raining down steadily, night after night.

So … when exactly should you watch, over the coming weeks? Remember three things.

First, meteor showers tend to be best after midnight, with predawn often an optimum time to watch.

Second, in 2016, new moon comes on August 2 and a first quarter moon on August 10. A first quarter moon sets around midnight (1 a.m. Daylight Time). After first quarter, the moon will continue to wax larger and set later. It’ll begin washing the predawn sky with its light by around mid-August, but – on the peak mornings of the Perseid shower – you’ll still be able to watch in the optimum hours before dawn.

Third, there’s a Perseid outburst predicted for this year. It’s predicted for the night of August 11-12 (evening of August 11, morning of August 12) and expected to last half a day. The times of the predictions vary from astronomer to astronomer. So on the night of August 11-12, you might want to watch all night … moon or no moon. Just hope the outburst comes for you when the moon is down!

Yes, you can watch from the South Hemisphere, too! The Delta Aquarids, especially, are a good shower for you. The Delta Aquarids fall more abundantly in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring perhaps 15 Delta Aquarid meteors per hour in an inky dark sky. All around the world, the radiant of the shower climbs highest up for the night around 2 to 3 a.m. local time (3 to 4 a.m. local Daylight Time), but the radiant soars way higher in the Southern Hemisphere than at comparable latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.

Bottom line: You won’t see as many meteors in late July and early August as you will at the Perseid meteor shower’s peak dates on the mornings of August 11, 12 and 13. Even so, you might see a decent sprinkling of meteors during the final weekend of July 2016!

 

BRUCE MCCLURE

Bruce McClure has served as lead writer for EarthSky’s popular Tonight pages since 2004. He’s a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also writes and hosts public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York.

Article published on EarthSky

Mercury in Virgo – July 30 till October 7

 

 

 

 

 

Mercury in Virgo

Minds and words are sharp as Mercury transits critical Virgo

By Tarot.com Staff

Virgo, Mercury, Astrology

Put on your thinking cap and make sure it’s adjusted perfectly — communication planet Mercury moves into critical Virgo on July 30, 2016 — and because he’ll turn retrograde in this discerning sign, Mercury won’t leave Virgo until October 7! Mercury Virgo signals a time when our minds are sharp, our speech becomes precise, and we’re able to communicate with others more efficiently.

Until Mercury turns retrograde on August 30, we’ll be thinking in much more practical terms. Whereas Mercury in Leo was more playful and chatty, Mercury in Virgo has no time for idle chit-chat. This transit is about analyzing ideas until they’re perfected and speaking seriously about most matters.

Virgo is Mercury’s home sign (along with Gemini), so the communication planet feels comfortable here and is ready and willing to think clearly, get organized and manage complex projects. It’s not necessarily the most imaginative or fun transit Mercury makes, but it’s definitely productive!

Top dos and don’ts for making the most of Mercury in Virgo:

Do solve problems — Break out the Sudoku! Analytical Virgo is great at taking an existing problem and working it over and over until … POOF! The problem is solved!

Don’t be narrow-minded — Mercury in Virgo enhances focus and critical thinking, but be careful you don’t become overly critical and way too picky about everything during this transit.

Do perform an act of service — Virgo is the sign of service, and with communication planet Mercury transiting this sign it’s the perfect time to speak out or write a letter on behalf of a person or organization you’re passionate about.

Don’t bite someone’s head off — Mercury is crisp and efficient in Virgo, with no time for unnecessary pleasantries. Remember to be polite, even if you are in a hurry to get to the point.

Do learn something new — Mercury in Virgo is a made for learning! Take a class, enhance your knowledge or practice skill-building now, while your mind can best absorb new knowledge.

Don’t neglect your imagination — Mercury is so practical in Virgo that it’s likely your creativity and imagination could become blocked. Do what you can now to give yourself an extra boost in creativity through books or movies or anything that gets you out of your head for a while.

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group

©Tarot.com 2016. All rights reserved.

Uranus Retrograde – July 29 to December 29

 

 

 

 

 

Uranus Retrograde

Revolution starts from within as radical Uranus turns back

By Tarot.com Staff

Uranus, Retrograde Planets, Astrology

“Freedom” is the word to the wise as rebel planet Uranus moves retrograde from July 29 to December 29, 2016. Now is the time to look at life from a fresh perspective, toss out the old ways of doing things and feel free to create a whole new world.

Well, don’t be intimidated — just remember to take baby steps over the next few months and years. We’re just at the beginning of a profound period of change, and it will only happen person-by-person, one small change at a time.

Basically, Uranus Retrograde just wants us to get real. It’s time to face our fears and change the things that aren’t working so we can become who we really want to be. This is true on both a personal and global scale.

So if you’re in a bad relationship, stuck in a job you don’t like, living in a place that doesn’t feel right or spending time with the wrong people, Uranus will alert you to this in coming months. The realization may dawn on you slowly, and it may involve an uncomfortable period of anxiety — but when you do have those epiphanies, pay attention. Make the needed changes!

Break up, make up, change jobs, move or do whatever you need to do to shake it up and move on to something better. In other words, get real about what you want, be brave and embrace your freedom to go after it.

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group

©Tarot.com 2016. All rights reserved.

Your Charm for Friday, July 29th is Libra the Balance

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is diplomatic, urbane, romantic, charming, easygoing, sociable, idealistic and peaceable. This person is someone you know socially.

General Description:
Seventh sign of the Zodiac, Sept 23rd to Oct 24th. Venus is the ruling planet; correct metal, Copper. Those born under Libra’s influence were supposed to be affable, courteous even tempered, painstaking, and with marked perceptive qualities. The Libra stones are the Opal, Chrysolite and Sardonyx. To the ancients the Opal was the Stone of Mystery its flashing and glowing rainbow hues suggested occult powers, and it was regarded as sacred in the East. In India it was believed to strengthen the mind and clear the brain; in Greece to give the wearer the power of prophecy and foresight, and during the 14th century used for strengthening the eyesight

 

Drawing One Card from the Ancient Symbol Deck To See What The Weekend Holds

Your Ancient Symbol Card for The Upcoming Weekend

The Crow



The Crow is the trusted messenger that alerts its allies to both danger and opportunity. Although they may appear playful and too opportunistic to be trusted, Crows are in fact powerful and trustworthy. The Crow sees and hears all. When The Crow reports it is best to listen as their news is always important and presented accurately.

The Crow indicates that you will soon receive news that will either protect you from loss or lead you too opportunities doorstep. To fully realize the advantage the information will soon receive carries with it you will need to react to it quickly and with sureness.

Your Daily Witches Rune for July 29th is The Rings

Daily Witches Rune

July 29th, 2016

The Rings

Keywords: Love, relationships.

Meanings: The Rings is the rune of love and when it is the leading stone, it is a positive answer to your question. It is very much a rune of relationship and can indicate engagement, marriage or a new/renewed relationship. It can also indicate the need for a fresh approach to an existing relationship.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for July 29th is Lust

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

Lust



While similar to classic Tarot’s Strength card, Lust goes a step further by suggesting we should enjoy the pleasures of exercising our strengths, sating our passions, and embracing that which allows one to express the majesty of their unique self. The lust this card indicates is not purely sexual, but at its most basic this lust is a primal desire to experience life to the fullest degree possible while taming our more beastly side. Lust implies that we not fight with our base instincts, but rather that we accept and manage and nourish them as an essential aspect of maintaining a balanced, complete self.

Casting the Stones, Your Rune Reading for the Weekend of July 29th

Your Rune Reading for the Upcoming Weekend

 

bw-elhazThe Past That Will Come Back To Visit
Elhaz

Elhaz represents your power to protect yourself and those around you. It also connotes the thrill and joy of a successful hunt. You are in a very enviable position right now, because you are able to maintain what you have built and reach your current goals. Enjoy.

 

 

bw-geboThe Present Situation That You Will Find Yourself In
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.

 

 

 

bw-kenazA Peek At The Future To Come
Kenaz

Kenaz reversed represents a lack of needed knowledge and possible isolation. Information you may need is being withheld from you, or you may not be open to receiving it. Although others may seem distant, if you seek their friendship you may be pleasantly surprised.

Your Minchiate Tarot Card Reading for the Weekend of July 29th

 Your Minchiate Tarot Card Reading for the Upcoming Weekend

 

This Weekend’s Theme

The Six of Wands Reversed

Success may be delayed. Be wary of accomplished enemies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Weekend’s Challenge

Three of Wands

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Ally for the Weekend

The Tower

The Tower upright represents change, conflict and possible catastrophe.