Astronomy Picture of the Day – The Prawn Nebula

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 4

IC 4628: The Prawn Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Michael Sidonio

 

Explanation: South of Antares, in the tail of the nebula-rich constellation Scorpius, lies emission nebula IC 4628. Nearby hot, massive stars, millions of years young, radiate the nebula with invisible ultraviolet light, stripping electrons from atoms. The electrons eventually recombine with the atoms to produce the visible nebular glow, dominated by the red emission of hydrogen. At an estimated distance of 6,000 light-years, the region shown is about 250 light-years across, spanningan area equivalent to four full moons on the sky. The nebula is also cataloged as Gum 56 for Australian astronomer Colin Stanley Gum, but seafood-loving astronomers might know this cosmic cloud as the Prawn Nebula.

Earth Sky News for July 4: Earth farthest from sun on July 4

Earth farthest from sun on July 4

Bottom line: Planet Earth reaches its most distant point from the sun for 2016 on July 4. Astronomers call this yearly point in Earth’s orbit our aphelion.

 

Author

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. “Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers,” she says.
Article published on EarthSky

Ah, What the Heck, Let’s Check Out the Ancient Symbol Cards to See What they have to say about this week….

Your Ancient Symbol Card Reading for the Upcoming Week

 
Past Influence that will impact your life are waning.

Ancestors

Ancestors represents the ongoing influence and remarkable contributions those who came before us have made to our state of being. Ancestors also reminds us that sometimes old wisdom is the best wisdom–especially when events are moving in ways we do not understand. Ancestors can bring comfort to a shaken spirit. It is a card of warmth in the sense that it reminds us that the spirit of past generations remains with us and can be called upon for guidance at any time.

 

 

 

 

Present Influence that will have an impact on your life are very strong

The Lotus

The Lotus represents the spiritual self in its purest form. It reminds us that for most achieving a well developed spirituality is a journey which can be long and arduous. The spirit of the Lotus is not of our secular world, and the presence of The Lotus suggests that what is needed can be found by exploring your relationship with the Universe not as a physical entity pursuing material gain, but as a divine soul in need of celestial sustenance.

 

 

 

 

Future influence whose impact on your life are growing and will be very strong this week.

The Western Dragon

Unlike the beneficent Easter Dragon, The Western Dragon is a symbol of totally unleashed destructive power that is set upon anyone who crosses the Dragon’s path. The Western Dragon also hordes treasures that should rightfully be ours, and whose absence deprives us from being complete. The challenges set before us by the Western Dragon are truly prodigious, because they denote a force whose sole intent is not simply to keep us from moving forward in our lives, but to usurp all that we have previously gained as well. What is even more disturbing about the force behind the Western Dragon is that it may well indicate primal forces in ourselves so powerful that they do in fact turn us into our own worst enemy.

Your Ogham Symbol for Monday, July 4th is Beth/Beith

Your Ogham Symbol for Monday, July 4th

Beith, or Beth, corresponds to the letter B in the alphabet, and is associated with the Birch tree. When this symbol is used, it is representative of new beginnings, change, release, and rebirth. In some traditions, it also has connections with purification.

Birch trees are hardy. They’ll grow just about anywhere, including on bare soil. Because they tend to grow in clusters, what may be just one or two seedlings now can be practically an entire forest in a few decades.

In addition to being a sturdy sort of tree, the Birch is useful. In days gone by, it was used for infants’ cradles, and is still harvested today to make cabinets and furniture.

From a magical perspective, there are a number of uses for Birch. The branches are traditionally incorporated into the construction of a besom, and are used for the bristles. Use the white outer bark in ritual in place of paper or parchment — just be sure you only harvest the bark from a fallen Birch tree, not a living one. Ancient herbalists discovered that various parts of this tree can be used for medicinal purposes. Bark was once brewed into a tea to fight fevers, and the leaves were used alternately as a laxative and a diuretic, depending on how they were prepared.

Beith Correspondences

Mundane Aspects: When this symbol appears, it means it’s time to get rid of all those negative influences you’ve been carrying around with you. Figure out what things are bad in your life, which relationships are toxic, and find a way to leave them behind.

Instead of being dragged down by the negative, focus on the positive things you have in your life, the blessings and abundance. Use these things as a focus, rather than the harmful or damaging ones.

Magical Aspects: Consider the property of renewal and rebirth, as demonstrated by the Birch. Use this as a tool for spiritual and emotional regrowth, and developing your own ability to regenerate where there has been emptiness or devastation.

 

Your Daily Witches Rune for July 4th is The Rings

Daily Witches Rune

July 4th, 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.

Casting the Stones, Your Rune Reading for the Week of July 4th

Your Rune Reading for the Upcoming Week

 

bw-geboThe Past That Will Once Again Emerge
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-dagazThe Present Circumstances You Will Find Yourself In
Dagaz

Dagaz represents the fresh light of a new day. You are close to making a breakthrough. You have the will to change whatever you deem necessary. You may see the world with absolute clarity at this time.

 

 

A Glimpse of The Future
Elhaz

Watch for hidden traps. Look for holes in your defenses and fill them.

Shuffling the Cards, Your Pyramid Reading for the Week of July 4th

Your Pyramid Reading for the Week of July 4th

 

This Week’s Theme

Five of Wands
There may be obstacles on your path. Courage will be required to overcome them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week’s Challenge

Page of Wands
This card represents courage and beauty, a quickness to love as well as anger. A carrier of tidings and information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week’s Ally

Ace of Swords
The triumph of power and will. Emotions are felt strongly. Great activity abounds. The heroic personality is near or soon to be born.

Shuffling the Cards, Your Wisdom of the Moon Spread for the Week of July 4th

Wisdom of The Moon Spread

The Wisdom of The Moon Spread is used to create a general inventory of your life at this time. Its locus is to help you make decisions concerning your life overall.

 

Discharging: that which you should let go of

Nine of Cups

Success and happiness are attained. The good things in life can be had. Good health will be enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retaining: that which you should further develop

Death

This is the card of change and renewal, the emergence of new ideas and opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obtaining: that which is coming into your life

The Hanged Man Reversed

The card of false prophecy and time wasted. The reversed Hanged Man represents a preoccupation with the worldly and wasted energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worldly Influences: secular influences effecting your life

Five of Wands

There may be obstacles on your path. Courage will be required to overcome them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benevolence: that which you can and should give to others

The Tower Reversed

The attainment of physical and spiritual freedom at great cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning: that which you should be learning at this time

Nine of Wands Reversed

There are obstacles before you. Health problems, discontent and adversity may need to be overcome

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcomimg: that which will be important in your future

Four of Pentacles Reversed

Gain is hindered by obstacles.

Your Daily Tarot Card for Monday, July 4th is The Wheel of Fortune

Your Personal Daily Tarot Card

The Wheel of Fortune



The Wheel of Fortune represents that aspect of life that is directed by forces and events we may not understand or even be aware of. In short, The Wheel deals with chance—those occurrences that manage to alter even the most structured of lives, usurp man’s “best laid plans.” While the effects of The Wheel are unpredictable, the outcome is always change; sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Our path through life is never a ride down a perfectly straight highway. Sometimes we may even experience hairpin turns or complete reversals of direction. The Wheel of Fortune is strong reminder that despite our plans, the Universe has its own agenda from which we cannot escape participation.