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.

2018 June 26

Dark Nebulas across Taurus 
Image Processing & Copyright: Oliver Czernetz – Data: Digitized Sky Survey (POSS-II)Explanation: Sometimes even the dark dust of interstellar space has a serene beauty. One such place occurs toward the constellation of Taurus. The filaments featured here can be found on the sky between the Pleiades star clusterand the California Nebula. This dust is not known not for its bright glow but for its absorption and opaqueness. Several bright stars are visible with their blue light seen reflecting off the brown dust. Other stars appear unusually red as their light barely peeks through a column of dark dust, with red the color that remains after the blue is scattered away. Yet other stars are behind dust pillars so thick they are not visible here. Although appearing serene, the scene is actually an ongoing loop of tumult and rebirth. This is because massive enough knots of gas and dust will gravitationally collapse to form new stars — stars that both create new dust in their atmospheres and destroy old dust with their energetic light and winds.

We go between Saturn and the sun

Our planet Earth flies this week between Saturn and the sun, bringing Saturn to what astronomers call opposition. The exact date and time of opposition are June 27, 2018, at 13:00 UTC. That is June 27 at 10:00 a.m ADT, 9:00 a.m. EDT, 8:00 a.m. CDT, 7:00 a.m. MDT, 6:00 a.m. PDT, 5:00 a.m. Alaskan Time and 3:00 a.m. Hawaiian Time; click here to translate UTC to your time. And don’t worry about exact times too much. Just know that – around now – Saturn is more or less opposite the sun in Earth’s sky, rising in the east around sunset, climbing highest up for the night around midnight and setting in the west around sunrise. When opposite the sun, Saturn is visible all night.

Opposition is a big milestone each year for observing the ringed planet Saturn, or any superior planet (planet orbiting the sun outside Earth’s orbit). When we fly between a superior planet and the sun, the planet is generally closest and brightest for that year.

 

You need a telescope to see Saturn’s rings. But you can easily spot the planet with the eye alone with this week. How? Let the moon guide you. The moon is full on the night of June 27-28, and what is a full moon if not a moon opposite the sun? Like a planet at opposition – opposite the sun – a full moon always rises in the east at sunset, climbs highest around midnight and sets in the west around sunrise. For that reason, around the time of its opposition, a superior planet is always near the moon when it turns full.

This particular full moon will be closest to Saturn on the exact date of opposition as shown on the chart below:

Although Saturn comes closest to Earth for the year on the same date that it reaches opposition (June 27), the ringed planet comes nowhere as close to Earth as the NASA illustration at the very top of this post might lead you to believe. At present, Saturn lies some 10 times the Earth’s distance from the sun, and nine times the Earth-sun distance from Earth. Astronomers refer to the Earth-sun distance as the astronomical unit, or AU. Saturn is now 10 AU from the sun, and 9 AU from us. Heavens Above gives information about the present distances of the planets from the sun and Earth.

So the distance scale of the image at top is off, and so is the size scale. For a realistic depiction of Saturn’s size relative to that of Earth, see the illustration below.

Also, don’t assume Saturn’s opposition is a one-night-only event. The ringed planet will be in good view throughout July, August and September 2018. You can recognize Saturn because it’s in your southeast sky at dusk and nightfall. Saturn will remain a fixture of the evening sky until December 2018. All the while, golden Saturn shines in front of the constellation Sagittarius, to the north of the Teapot asterism.

Our fast movement in orbit brings Earth between Saturn and the sun every year – or, more precisely, about two weeks later every year. Three years ago, for instance, Saturn’s opposition happened on May 23, 2015. In 2016, it was June 3. In 2017, it was June 15. This year, June 27. If you recognize this golden world tonight or later this month, you’ll also enjoy it throughout the Northern Hemisphere summer, or Southern Hemisphere winter.

If you had a bird’s-eye view of the solar system today, you’d see our planet Earth passing in between the sun and Saturn. You’d see the sun, Earth, and Saturn lining up in space. But not for long. Earth moves in orbit at 18 miles (29 km) per second in contrast to about 6 miles (9 km) per second for Saturn. Soon, we’ll be pulling ahead of Saturn in the race of the planets.

The planets that orbit the sun inside of Earth’s orbit – Mercury and Venus – can never be at opposition. Only the planets that orbit the sun beyond Earth’s orbit – Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune – can ever reach opposition, that is, appear opposite the sun in Earth’s sky.

All the planets farther from the sun reach opposition every time our swifter-moving planet sweeps between the sun and these superior planets – planets that orbit the sun outside of Earth’s orbit. Mars returns to opposition every other year. Jupiter’s opposition happens about one month later each year, whereas Saturn’s opposition occurs about two weeks later yearly. The farther that a planet resides from the sun, the shorter the period of time between successive oppositions.

Saturn, the 6th planet outward from the sun, is the most distant world that’s easily visible to the unaided eye. Telescopes revealed its rings in the 17th century. Spacecraft in the 20th century revealed that what we thought of as three rings around Saturn to be thousands of thin, finely detailed rings – made of tiny chunks of ice. Saturn also has 62 moons with confirmed orbits. Only 53 of Saturn’s moons have names, and only 13 have diameters larger than 50 kilometers (about 30 miles).

Saturn is truly a wondrous world of rings and moons. It’s everyone’s favorite celestial object to gaze at through a small telescope, so if there’s a public astronomy night near you this month – go!

Bottom line: Look for Saturn at and around opposition – June 27, 2018. It will be shining in the east this evening, fairly close to the moon. Can’t see Saturn tonight? No problem. It’ll be in an excellent place to observe throughout June, July and August 2018.

The Wisdom of Buddha

The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.

Your Charm for Today

Taurus The Bull

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is patient, reliable, warmhearted, loving, persistent, determined, placid and security loving. This is a person you respect.

General Description:
Second sign of the Zodiac, April 21st to May 22nd. Ruling planet Venus; correct metal Copper. Those born under Taurus were thought to be endowed with mental and physical strength, strong minded, clever, fearless and emotional. The correct Taurus gem is the Sapphire. The sapphire is of a deep blue color, and the darker the blue the greater its value. The ancients wore Sapphire charms for protection from poison, plague, fever, diseases of the skin, and to bring peace and happiness upon its wearer. The eyes were rubbed by a Sapphire to preserve them from injury by smallpox. King Solomon’s seal is said to have been a Sapphire.

Your Past, Present, Future Reading for Today

That Which is Behind You

Fall
Symbol: The Farmer
The Farmer represents rewards gained through hard work and faith in oneself. He harvests riches from the planting and nurturing of his crops.

Your Current Place

Summer
Symbol: The Woodcutter
The Woodcutter employs three of the 5 elements central to Chinese philosophy: Fire, Wood and Metal. He is ambitious and full of drive and energy. He represents gain and success through dedicated work.

That Which is Before You

Bamboo 8
Symbol: Mushroom 
The Mushroom tile represents eternal life and oddity. It gets these attributes from the fact that mushrooms in nature always seem to regenerate and often popup where they are unexpected. The notion of oddity is derived from the mushroom seemingly having the nature of a plant, but lacking leaves. The Mushroom tile foretells the coming of unexpected events that will have a lasting impact on you

Sun bathing Froggy Style, lol!

Psychic Tip of the Day

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Decisiveness and a willingness to lead produce tangible rewards.

General Meaning

This suit, most often called “Wands” and sometimes called “Rods” or “Staves,” represents initiative, ambition, drive and desire. This is the suit of enterprise and risk-taking.

Traditionally, representing the energy of a Queen, this woman represents the natural manager, whose gift is to inspire teamwork and divvy up tasks. She is the one who sees ensures everything runs smoothly. She’ll be sweating in the sun along with her family or crew, inspiring everybody to keep up and supporting morale with her infectious energy.

She is the best kind of manager to have, because she is like a challenging but encouraging mother, who knows you have it in you. She believes in her charges and they work hard to please her. She is not, however, sentimental. Like a good farmer, she views her crops, her animals, even the people who work for her, as necessary resources for the achievement of the higher goal. If any aspect is no longer productive or cost-effective, she can let them go without a second thought. Do not look to her for sympathy.

In the Advice Position

Realize you are not in the leadership role right now. Concentrate on a more supportive role that promotes the overall objectives.

The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

The Queen of Wands in this position reveals a need to hold your place in the chain of command and respect the hierarchy (at least for now). This may not be a time for you to be at the helm, even if you are motivated by a strong dedication to completing a project or overcoming a challenge.

A perceived deficiency in leadership may make you want to take hold of the reins, but don’t do it! Restrain yourself and remain loyal to your higher-ups. Stay focused and energetic. Enthusiastically confront the challenges directly in front of you. Perform in good faith and encourage others to do the same.

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Tarot.co is

If You Were Born Today, June 26

You are wonderful at organizing and directing, but you are not afraid of hard work either. In fact, your success generally comes from your own efforts. You may need to make a conscious attempt not to live in the past, as this tendency is very strong and can sometimes keep you from moving forward. You have a strong idealistic streak that can lead to a colorful romantic life, but also quite emotional. Famous people born today: Pearl S. Buck, Peter Lorre, Chris O’Donnell, Ariana Grande, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Sean Hayes.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

Saturn forms an opposition to your Sun until October (since February). Saturn calls upon you to identify the weaker areas of your life and to fix or strengthen them. Take the time to sort out details, improve your work, and become more efficient. Taking a slow and steady approach to life is necessary during this period. Pushing too hard will likely lead to frustration and setbacks. Take it easy and work on self-improvement. Results are not immediate, but will eventually come and bring healthy rewards. Relationships may be (or seem) more challenging than usual while Saturn opposes your Sun.

You have Uranus transiting in harmony to your Sun from May 2019 forward helping you along, and exciting (not jarring) changes and new interests are likely. It’s easier than usual to express your unique individuality, and if this involves changing careers or jobs, a new love affair, or an entirely new hobby, it’s something that takes you forward into unexplored territory. You are more willing to adapt to new circumstances, ideas, and unfamiliar situations during this period. It’s a good time to join organizations and groups and to attend meetings or social events. You are able to find creative solutions to problems now. Flexibility is the key to success under this influence.

You might often get frustrated if results of your actions are not instant, but it’s best to cultivate some patience when it comes to realizing your goals. As well, if you are not getting the results you crave, consider that you might be aiming too high or too wide.

Venus in hard aspect to Jupiter in your Solar Return chart brings love and romance into your life, but you could encounter problems due to overblown expectations or excessive behavior. You may overindulge and would do well to strike a balance between pleasures and the obligations of daily life.

If there are health issues this year, look for blockages or constrictions since Saturn is involved with the Node.

Idealistic and humanitarian goals or impulses surface this year. Making connections with others from different backgrounds may figure strongly. Widening your mind through unusual or different experiences can be part of the picture. You more easily make personal sacrifices for what you believe to be the greater good this year.

You’re firming up some areas of your life until October, and this can be a period of harder work and discipline and perhaps some challenges. However, as the year advances, you’re sure to feel freer and attract more positivity into your life. Some relationships may be feisty or complicated and there can be a significant break in your social life, but improvements are possible. With work, you’re expanding your interests in satisfying ways.

2018 is a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it’s a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It’s a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and “chance” meetings are probable. Advice – take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don’t strain yourself or actively try to expand.

2019 will be a Number Eight year for you. Ruled by Saturn. This is a year of power and accomplishment. Actively seeking to expand, taking educated risks, and moving forward are highlighted. This is a year of opportunity, particularly in the material and business world, and opportunities need to be seized. It’s generally not a year to find a new love partner, simply because the focus is on the material world and your place in the world. This is a problem-solving year in which you can expect real, tangible results. Advice – take action, plan ahead, seize opportunities.

Cafe Astrology

I am speechless. I honestly don’t know what to say. How do you thank someone for saving your life? How do you? From the time I made our first post and had to get off the internet because of the tornado warning, the money came in to purchase the medicine I need to survive. I have always prided myself on being rather calm, laid back and sort of hard hearted. My experiences over the years had made me that way. I would still like to think I am calm and laid back but not heart hearted anymore. You have changed that so very much. When I opened our PayPal account, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had to take a second look. Then this old witch (I ain’t that old, now) broke down and cried. I have met a lot of people over the years. I don’t believe any of them have ever shown me the love and caring you all have. Most of them want to befriended me then stab me in the back. None of them were friends. In fact, I never really started to know the meaning of friendship till we came here. I have met so many wonderful, loving individuals at this site. You are caring and compassionate and I believe you love to make me cry. There is no way I can ever thank you for what you have done for me this time, you saved my life, literally.

When I opened the PayPal account, I started sobbing. Eleanor and Lynette thought that there was something else wrong with me until they saw what I was looking at. They started crying also. In fact, we all have been crying. You can’t imagine what it is like to be at the edge, thinking your days are numbered and then suddenly being  pulled back. It is breath-taking. You have to stop and pinch yourself to make sure it is real. And, oh yes, it is very real. Thank you, thank you, thank you so very much. The feelings I have right now for you are indescribable. I wish I could come to everyone of your houses and give you a great big hug, kiss and tell you, “I love you” in person. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. But I want you to know I love you and I always will. You are my family and what a family you are. I have never been so proud and honored to call anyone brothers, sisters and family as I have all of you.

I guess I clean out that chatroom now and we have that celebration of life and blessing ritual, what’cha say? First though, I would like to honor those who helped me in my most darkest hour. Say a prayer for them, ask the Goddess to bless them and also thank the Goddess they were given the hearts and compassion they have. Know you will always have a very special place in my heart and if there is anything, and I mean anything I can do for you do not hesitate to ask. That’s what family is for.

Lady Beltane
Pam
Jeff
William
Roman
Theresa
Barbara
Heather
Maria
Heather

I didn’t put your last name because of security reason especially since I am the one preaching about security but you know who you are. Thank you so very much. I would also like to thank those who sent prayers, blessings, healing energy and lite candles for me. I don’t know your name, I wish I did. Because it seems like it takes a village to heal a witch these days, lol! I should mention Lynette just flew out of here with the prescription to get the medicine. Pfizer told Eleanor it would take about 3 to 4 weeks to get me on their program. So it looks like you are stuck with me for a bit longer. Thank the Goddess and each of you!

I will be announcing when we are going to have our ritual and celebration. I have to check with Lady Beltane and make sure it doesn’t interfere with any of her plans. Then I will let you know. What a night it will be! Praise the Goddess!

I love you,

Lady A

Good Tuesday Morning, my sweets! How are you doing today? Up and ready to kick the world in the rump? I will make this short I promise, I know once I get going I don’t have sense enough to hush. I might get hushed before I am ready to quit talking. We have some severe thunderstorms rolling through here again. I believe it has rained 40 days and 40 nights or at least it seems that way. About ready to build the witch’s version of Noah’s Ark, lol! Seriously though, I don’t know if it is the other medication I am on or what but I read Lady Beltane’s post this morning and cried. I got to wondering why does it take facing your own mortality to realize what wonderful friends you have surrounding you and what you have truly been blessed with. The out pouring of love for me in the past few months has been unbelievable. Maybe I have been put in this situation so my eyes will be opened to the many blessings I do have in my life. They say there is a reason for everything, maybe there truly is. Lady Beltane is truly an amazing person. No, amazing isn’t the right word for her, she is a very warm, caring individual who I now know loves me very much. I believe she loves me more than the individuals that are around me on a daily basis(well except for my two sons). She has touched my life in many ways, now to plead for it, made me cry. Thank you Lady B, I do love you, sis.

I do have good news. I am now sitting $175 away from getting the medicine I need to survive. I know Lady B explained to you how the program works so I won’t go into details about it. But I have did a lot of thinking this morning. I have thought back to the wonderful people who have given so freely of themselves so I can survive. At first I honestly didn’t think I would but now I know I am. It is thanks to all of you that my thinking has changed. Love can do so much. It can heal a broken heart, it can provide you comfort and most of all it can give you hope. I didn’t have hope when I came out of the hospital but thanks to you and the love you have shown me, I do now. I was thinking that when the goal to get my medicine is reached what if we have a celebration of life and a blessing ritual for all of you. It is the least I can do for you. We can have it in our old chatroom. I feel it in my soul that I am going to have something to celebrate and I want to celebrate it with each of you. I haven’t told anyone because of all the other issues that keep popping up but I actually when ahead and finished my High Priestess training. I started it when I was still in the mountains and just recently finished it. The Elders have been after me for years to finish it so I did. I want to share my new talents, my new life you have given me and my love with you. I can’t wait. I was thinking what a joyous occasion it would be. I might be putting the cart before the horse but I don’t think so. I want us to have that celebration and I want you to receive a special blessing for all you have done for me. You have enriched my life so and most of all you will be giving me life itself. Just something to mull over because you have done so much for me, I want to do something for you.

Now for the next topic at hand, as you have probably noticed we have been doing the postings two different ways. One way, we run the posts individually giving you the opportunity to comment on them and reblog them. The other way, is the daily digest or journal, rather cramp as far as information goes but…..I want to know which way you prefer. Today we are going to do the posts individually, tomorrow the digest style. I am going to post a poll and I want you to tell us which way you want the daily posts delivered to you. Personally I like the individual ones because you can comment on them and we can communicate back and forth but I will leave the decision up to you. After today’s posts, look for the poll and also tomorrow. When we get the results, we will deliver the daily posts the way you want them.

Well like I said I might get cut off by the weather. Tornado warning was just issued and the sky looks awful. Got to get to the basement. So I am not proofreading this. Think over what I said and when the storm is over, hopefully we will be back and not in Kansas, lol!

Love ya,

Lady A