Month: July 2016

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Color the Universe

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 19

Color the Universe
Image Credit: Unknown

 

Explanation: Wouldn’t it be fun to color in the universe? If you think so, please accept this famous astronomical illustration as a preliminary substitute. You, your friends, your parents or children, can print it out or even color it digitally. While coloring, you might be interested to know that even though this illustration has appeared in numerous places over the past 100 years, the actual artist remains unknown. Furthermore, the work has no accepted name — can you think of a good one? The illustration, first appearing in a book by Camille Flammarion in 1888, is used frequently to show that humanity’s present concepts are susceptible to being supplanted by greater truths.

What’s special about a full moon?

What’s special about a full moon?

By

Full moon today. This full moon comes on July 19, 2016 at 2257 UTC (5:57 p.m. CDT; translate to your timezone).

What’s special about a full moon? Why does it tug our heartstrings? And why does a full moon look full, in contrast to other phases of the moon?

You’ll have to answer the first two questions for yourself, but here’s the answer to the third. At full moon, we’re seeing all of the moon’s day side.

At full moon, the moon and sun are on a line, with Earth in between. It’s as though Earth is the fulcrum of a seesaw, and the moon and sun are sitting on either end of the seesaw.

So as the sun sets in the west, the full moon rises. When the sun is below our feet at midnight, the full moon is highest in the sky. When the sun rises again at dawn, the full moon is setting. We all love line-ups of things in the heavens. Could it be the alignment of the sun, Earth and moon that causes us to feel a special connection with the full moon?

If there’s a lunar eclipse, it must happen at full moon. It’s only at the full moon phase that Earth’s shadow, extending opposite the sun, can fall on the moon’s face.

In many ways, a full moon is the opposite of a new moon. At both the new and full phases, the moon is on a line with the Earth and sun. At new moon, the moon is in the middle position along the line. At full moon, Earth is in the middle.

Full moon always comes about two weeks after new moon, when the moon is midway around in its orbit of Earth, as measured from one new moon to the next.

Bottom line: A full moon looks full because it’s opposite Earth from the sun, showing us its fully lighted hemisphere or day side.

 

DEBORAH BYRD

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 originally published on EarthSky

Earth Sky News for July 19: Full Buck Moon Today

Full Buck Moon on July 19

By

Tonight – July 19, 2016 – you’ll see a full moon. In North America, we often call the July full moon the Buck Moon, Thunder Moon or Hay Moon. At this time of year, buck deer begin to grow velvety antlers, while farmers are struggling to put hay in their barns amid the sumer season’s frequent thunder showers.

The moon is said to be astronomically full when it’s precisely 180o opposite the sun in ecliptic longitude. This happens at 22:57 Universal Time. At U.S. latitudes, that translates to 6:57 p.m. EDT, 5:57 p.m. CDT, 4:57 p.m. MDT and 3:57 p.m. PDT.

Strictly speaking, we in North America won’t see the moon at the instant that it turns full. For us, the moon will still be below the horizon as the moon turns exactly full. By the time the moon rises over the eastern horizon, we in North America will be looking at a moon that’s slightly past full phase. It’ll be a full-looking waning gibbous moon.

No matter. From almost everywhere worldwide, the moon will appear plenty full to the eye on the night of July 19-20. That’s because at the vicinity of full moon, the moon remains pretty much opposite the sun in Earth’s sky all hours of the night.

Look for the moon to rise in your eastern sky at dusk or early evening, to climb up highest up for the night around midnight and to sit low in your western sky at dawn July 20.

The full moon lies almost opposite the sun, so the path of the July full moon across the nighttime sky will resemble that of the January sun across the daytime sky. Therefore, far-northern regions of the globe won’t see the moon at all tonight. That’s because the July full moon, like the January sun, resides too far south on the sky’s dome to be seen from northern Arctic latitudes.

Bottom line: Look for the full moon on July 19, 2016, lighting up our skies from dusk or early evening until dawn.

 

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.

Originally Published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

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 Charm for July 19th is Cancer the Crab

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is emotional, loving, intuitive, imaginative, shrewd, cautious, protective and sympathetic. This could be an elder you look up too.

General Description:
Fourth sign of the Zodiac, June 22nd to July 23rd. Ruled by the Moon; correct metal, Silver. Those born under Cancer’s influence were supposed to be keen observers, imaginative, strong willed, reliant, tenacious, impressionable, brilliant, reserved, exacting, and sometimes over anxious. The Cancer stones are the emerald, agate, and chalcedony. The emerald was most highly esteemed in ancient times, was believed to possess great healing powers, and to be beneficial to the eyes. Emerald talismans were worn to invoke eloquence, courage, protection from sickness, and by seamen to guard them from perils at sea. Emeralds were supposed to turn pale at the approach of danger.

Using the Dominoes, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for July 19th

Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today

 

 

That Which is Behind You

One/Five

You may be in a place where you could use the help of others. Perhaps your sense of responsibility for those around you has worn you down. There are those who will help you address your problems. Do yourself a favor and accept their help.

 

 

Your Current Place

Blank/Five

Now is a time to strengthen your family ties. You may want to consider having a child. Much of your energy should be devoted to your family.

 

 

 

That Which is before You

Three/Five

It is time to vent your anger and frustration. Continuing to repress these feelings can be detrimental to your health. Find a way to release your negative energy without harming others. Confront those who you have differences with and settle them.

 

 

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Your Animal Spirit for July 19th is The Coyote

Your Animal Spirit for Today
July 19, 2016 

Coyote

Taking yourself too seriously? If you are, Coyote will throw a banana peel in your tracks just to see you take a silly spill. Coyote medicine is Trickster medicine—the practical joker, the chaos maker. If Coyote appeared in your reading today, be ready for a curveball thrown in your direction. Remember, though, Coyote uses the bizarre to help us learn lessons we just can’t seem to get any other way.

 

 

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Your Ancient Symbol Card for July 19th is Altruism

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Altruism

 

Altruism denotes the noble act of giving to those in need without the expectation of a return. The act of giving has been seen as one of humankind’s greatest attributes throughout history. It is honored in nearly every culture. To give is a gift to both those who receive and those who give. Giving is usually associated with addressing the material needs of others, but the gift given can take many forms such as wisdom or protection or simply a shoulder to cry on.

 

 

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Your Witches Rune for July 19th is The Blank Rune

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.

 

 

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Your Daily Influences Using the Minchiate Tarot Deck for July 19th

Your Daily Influences for Today

 

Tarot Influence:

Ace of Wands

A new venture is on the horizon. This new venture may be anything from a journey or business to a family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Astrological Influence

Taurus

With The Bull comes strength, loyalty and determination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Element Influence

Water Reversed

Water reversed denotes secrets to which you are not privy. Approach all ventures with caution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for July 19th is Fortune

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

Fortune

Fortune represents that aspect of life that is directed by forces and events we may not understand or even be aware of. In short, Fortune 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 Fortune 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. Fortune is strong reminder that despite our plans, the Universe has its own agenda from which we cannot escape participation.

 

 

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