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 12

Chasing Juno
Image Credit & Copyright: Melissa Christine Kendall

Explanation: Wait for me! In 2011, NASA’s robotic mission Juno launched for Jupiter from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. Last week, Juno reached Jupiter and fired internal rockets to become only the second spacecraft to orbit our Solar System’s largest planet. Juno, tasked with studying the jovian giant over the next two years, is in a highly elliptical orbit that will next bringing it near Jupiter’s cloud tops in late August. Of course, the three-year-old pictured was not able to catch up to the launching rocket. Today, however, five years later, he is eight-years-old and still chasing rockets — in that now he wants to be an astronaut.

Moon still near Spica on July 12

Tonight – July 12, 2016 – as the setting sun closes the curtains on the day, and the darkening skies bring out a myriad of far-off suns, let the moon introduce you to a very special star. The nearby bright star to tonight’s moon is none other than Spica, brightest light in theconstellation Virgo the Maiden.

Did you see the moon and Spica yesterday, on the evening of July 11? Note the moon’s change of position relative to Spica as darkness falls tonight, on July 12. The moon continually moves eastward in front of the backdrop stars of the Zodiac at the rate of about one-half degree per hour or about 13^o per day. For a convenient measuring stick, the moon’s diameter approximates one-half degree of sky, and your fist at an arm’s length about 10^o on the sky’s dome.

In a few to several more days, in fact, the moon will be farther from Spica on the sky’s dome, and closer to the planets Mars and Saturn. When that happens, you might find it helpful to “star-hop” to Spica instead, as shown on the sky chart below.

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, and you’re familiar with the Big Dipper, you can count on this famous pattern of stars to guide you to Spica. Simply extend the Big Dipper handle to arc to the brilliant yellow-orange star Arcturus and then to spike Spica, a blue-white gem of a star. (If you have difficulty discerning stellar color with the eye alone, try your luck with binoculars.)

Bottom line: Let the moon guide you to Spica on July 12, 2016, and then use the Big Dipper to locate Virgo’s brightest star, after the moon’s flirtation with Spica ends.

Author

The Wisdom of Buddha

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.

Your Daily Influences
July 12, 2016

Five of Swords Reversed
Victories may be empty. False pride must be avoided. Sorrow is possible.

Hagalaz
Hagalaz is the hail Rune. It denotes chaos, destruction and disruption on a primal level. You may experience delays in moving toward your goals.

Inscribed Amulet
This aspect is affected by a narrowly averted dangerous situation. The dangerous event could be a personal confrontation or even an accident you narrowly miss.

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 Daily Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
This aspect is need of some pampering, you are in need of some pampering and who better to do it than yourself? Do something extravagant, something out of character and make this aspect a more pleasant place to be.

General Description:
This is a Roman amulet and was worn for many centuries as a charm to attract good fortune. The Cornucopia represents Amaitheia’s Horn, and is a symbol of prosperity, abundance and fruitfulness. Amaltheia daughter of Melissus, King of Crete, nursed the infant Jupiter with goats milk. Jupiter afterwards endowed the goats horn with magical properties, and promising that it would supply in abundance whatever she desired, gave it to his nurse. The idea most probably originated from using the horns of oxen and goats as drinking cups.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Moon

Although men have stepped upon the moon and scientists have analyzed it almost endlessly, there remains in our collective unconscious a vision of the moon that shrouds it in mystery. And why wouldn’t there be? Being earth’s closest neighbor, having a clear influence on many of earth’s cycles and constantly changing in appearance, it is only fitting that our ancestors endlessly pondered and speculated on our magnificent moon’s powers. The Moon represents the pure feminine nature and the gateway to understanding the mystical world that cannot be explained by science. Its soft glow provides a gentle light in the darkness of night. Metaphorically, the powers associated with the moon supply the seeker with a light to explore the mystical aspects of our world. It empowers the sense of wonder in those open to psychic adventures.

As a daily card, The Moon is indicative of a time when your feminine side and connection to the spiritual world is very strong. Essentially you are “tuned in” spiritually which makes this an ideal time for you to investigate your place in our mystical world.

Today’s Witches Rune

Man

Meaning: The Man rune demands action. It’s not longer time to quietly sit and think, or to hide yourself and heal. No, it’s time to get up and fight for what you want. If things are slow or stagnated, change them. Begin something new. It’s not a moment to let things flow as they will, but to grab the reigns and gain control over the situation. Be the leader and defend your stand.

While the Woman rune is about healing, this one can be about defending yourself, and, sometimes, hurting or getting hurt in the process. You may have to defend your opinions, your actions or choices against some aggressive people. This rune offers you a challenge, but is also shows that you have the resources needed to face it. Naturally, this rune has very aggressive potentials in it, and they need a good deal of discipline in order to not become sorely destructive.

The Man rune also accelerates everything… nothing stays still when its around. The outcome of your question may happen sooner than you expected, but the result will probably be unexpected. It does not mean that all will go wrong, no – things will simply develop in unseen ways.

In relationship readings, the Man rune promises a period of instability, so it’s important to not have high expectations. Under the influence of this rune, the relationship can be a stairway to Heaven or a ticket to Hell… and sometimes both, in a short period of time. It promises a bumpy journey for the heart, but with a great level of intensity. The Man rune can stand for love/hate relationship, cat and rat games and obsessions… the kind of things that turns one nuts (for good and for bad). This rune is good in questions concerning sexuality.

Additional information about Today’s Witches courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Get A Jump On Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, July 13th

by Rick Levine

Part of the Daily Insight Group

©Tarot.com 2016. All rights reserved.

If Today is Your Birthday: July 12

You are a colorful, likable, and intelligent person, but you are not always well understood, probably due to a somewhat contradictory nature. You have a way with words, possess great wit, and your intuition is very strong. If lacking confidence, you tend to get into a rut; but at your best, you embrace your spontaneity. Your life path is not always easy, but with age and experience, you learn how to avoid worrying excessively about the future. Famous people born today: Henry David Thoreau, Cheryl Ladd, Milton Berle, Michelle Rodriguez, Topher Grace.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

Your birthday occurs shortly after a First Quarter Moon this year, and you are reaching an important turning point in terms of personal growth. You may be more emotional this year, and should watch for unnecessary conflicts and making hasty decisions as a result. You might be pulled in different directions and it can be difficult, at times, to know what you want from life. Otherwise, this is a year of great energy, motivation, and growth. You are more ambitious and desirous of action in the year ahead. This should be a busy, dynamic period in your life.

This can be a strong year for artists and for developing skills and talents, particularly along creative lines.

While you can be a little impulsive with communications at times, you aim to be very diplomatic when dealing with others this year. You are not afraid of competition, and can in fact find some competitiveness stimulating and motivating, but you tend to achieve much through cooperation. If you can learn to curb your impulsiveness, your insight can be a true asset.

This can be a year in which you are a little bolder, more assertive, and energetic. You are especially interested in setting goals and challenges for yourself this year, and taking the necessary action to meet them. You may meet or interact with others who encourage or inspire you in some way to have more confidence in yourself.

Some form of recognition for your work or for past good deeds may be forthcoming this year. Fortunate circumstances arise from a positive attitude, generosity of spirit, as well as sincere self-expression. You could find that doors open to you at just the right times.

This can be a busy period in your life. Your communications are more colorful, and you have more impact with what you communicate. You tend to seek out mental stimulation and activity. You are also likely to present yourself well during this period of your life, and personal magnetism is great.

You can effectively use words to soothe, heal, and teach this year. You are also more open to new ways of looking at problems, thus it’s considerably easier to find solutions.

Something big is in the works regarding your love life. You’ll have a chance to heal old wounds with regards to love this year. You’re also bound to find new ways of making money.

You are especially creative and expressive this year and your love life can be animated. You succeed best in fields or areas that allow you to make something beautiful, attractive, and/or entertaining. Personal magnetism is strong. You are playfully competitive and might win a major competition, if applicable. This is a good period for creative projects and joining with others in pursuing a common goal.

Good energy is with you for debate or energetic mental work. You can convey your ideas more powerfully. You’re quick to take the initiative and to put your thoughts into action. You are especially adept at directing and leading others and good at making decisions.

You often have a way with words this year, and verbalizing your feelings can be enjoyable. You are able to handle people well, and negotiations are favored in general. This can be a good year for dabbling in the arts, furthering a creative hobby or craft, and exploring new artistic interests. Even so, there can be distinct advantages to working in some level of solitude this year as it can be too easy to become distracted on social levels, which can impact your productivity. You may find that your ideas are sometimes a little too scattered to catch on, and it can be difficult following through on some of them. Watch for jumping to conclusions and rebelling against others’ ideas or advice. Routine can be especially boring.

Also watch for impatience or fits of temper that work against you this year. There may be changes in work schedules or life’s circumstances could challenge you in such a way that you need to change your goals or actions. This can also be a time when you tend to resist others and challenge them if they are trying to hold you back. Energy fluctuates this year. If you can avoid rash or impulsive moves, you could enjoy more courage than usual to do things that break the routine or clear the air.

Your unique manner of expressing and asserting yourself is in focus and appreciated this year. Suppressed anger is more effectively released in creative ways. Physical healing can help inner healing, and vice versa.

Your style is especially unique this year, and you stand out as particularly personable and talented. While there is some tendency to make emotionally-driven decisions, your timing is otherwise quite good. Love and social matters can be up and down, but also quite magical at times. Personal appeal is excellent. New and interesting experiences are likely, but energy can fluctuate and impulsive moves should be watched for. This is a strong year for taking up interesting studies and for meeting people through artistic interests and hobbies.

2016 is a Number One year for you. Ruled by the Sun. This is a year of action. The seeds you plant now, you will reap later. Others might find you less sociable, as you are busier than ever and you focus on your activities and your needs. Still, you are outgoing and your initiative is stronger than ever. Advice – Stand alone, take action, start fresh, express independence.

2017 will be a Number Two year for you. Ruled by the Moon. This is a year of potential companionship. It is a quiet, gentle, and mostly harmonious year that is less active than other years. Instead, you are more responsive to the needs of others. If you are patient and open yourself up in a gentle manner, you will attract both things and people. This is an excellent year in which to build and develop for the future. Advice – be patient, be receptive, enjoy the peace, collect.

Reference:

Cafe Astrology