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.

2015 December 16

The Horsehead Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: José Jiménez Priego

Explanation: The Horsehead Nebula is one of the most famous nebulae on the sky. It is visible as the dark indentation to the red emission nebula in the center of the above photograph. The horse-head feature is dark because it is really an opaque dust cloud that lies in front of the bright red emission nebula. Like clouds in Earth’s atmosphere, this cosmic cloud has assumed a recognizable shape by chance. After many thousands of years, the internal motions of the cloud will surely alter its appearance. The emission nebula’s red color is caused by electrons recombining with protons to form hydrogen atoms. On the image left is the Flame Nebula, an orange-tinged nebula that also contains filaments of dark dust. Just to the lower left of the Horsehead nebula featured picture is a blueish reflection nebulae that preferentially reflects the blue light from nearby stars.

See a star that changes its brightness

Tonight, we zoom in on a variable star – a star whose brightness changes – near the bright star Vega in the small but distinctive constellation Lyra the Harp.

Here’s how to locate it. A dark sky brings out the four rather faint stars to the left of Vega on December evenings. These stars form a parallelogram – a four-sided figure with its opposite sides equally long and parallel to one another. Three fingers at arm’s length are enough to cover over this small parallelogram of stars.

The two stars shining on the left-hand side of the parallelogram are Sulafat and Sheliak. Sheliak – also known as Beta Lyrae – is the variable star.

This star varies because – although Sheliak looks single to the eye – it’s really a binary star, or two stars that revolve around one another. Sheliak is a special kind of binary star system, known as an eclipsing binary. One star in the Sheliak system blocks out the light of its companion star in regular periods, as seen from our earthly vantage point. This blocking of one star by the other causes Sheliak’s brightness to dim every 6.5 days.

Normally, Sheliak and Sulafat are equal in brightness. But when one of Sheliak’s stars eclipses the other, Sheliak is the fainter star. Find brilliant Vega first tonight, then Sheliak and Sulafat. See if Sheliak looks fainter than Sulafat.

By the way, in our western skylore, the constellation that contains all these stars – Lyra – represents a Harp. In Greek mythology, Lyra was associated with the myth of Orpheus, the musician whose music was so sweet that the king of the gods, Zeus, placed both Orpheus and his harp in the night sky. Lyra was also known as King Arthur’s Harp (Talyn Arthur) and King David’s harp. It was known to the Romans as Tympanum (drum) and Canticum (song).

In our modern times, the star Sheliak keeps a beat of its own — not a musical beat, but a visual one — as this variable star’s brightness waxes and wanes in a way that’s regular and observable.

About the Author

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure is the chief writer for the popular EarthSky Tonight pages. Since joining EarthSky in 2004, he has written thousands of astronomy articles, enjoyed here by millions. He also writes, gives planetarium shows and hosts a wide assortment of public astronomy programs in and around his home in upstate New York. If you ask an astronomy question on our site, it’s likely to be Bruce that answers it. His love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and he has sailed the North Atlantic, earning his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. Bruce is also a sundial aficionado. He says his number one passion – besides his wife Alice – is stargazing.

Article published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

Your Daily Influences
December 16, 2015

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.

Ansuz
Ansuz represents mankind’s spiritual connection to God and the universe. It is often referred to as the “God Rune.” This Rune embodies reason, truth and justice. It denotes the coming of knowledge and true counsel from a higher authority.

Cancer the Crab
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.

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 Month to Month Reading

This Reading is used to reveal key influences that will effect your life from month to month.

January

You are surrounded by opportunities to grow at the moment. Take advantage of this time by exploring every avenue available to you to grow both spiritually and materially.

Your Daily Domino
December 16, 2015 

Six/Six
The Double Six is the grandest of Dominos. It denotes success, fulfillment and happiness on a grand scale. New paths will open for you, and you are spiritually and intellectually ready to take them.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Chance

The Chance card denotes a period in which taking risks may produce positive results. This doesn’t mean head off to a casino with your life’s savings! What is suggested is that you should make gains by taking a well calculated risk. For the power of Chance to be fully realized it is essential that you pick your risk carefully, move forward with conviction, and above all else don’t get greedy!

As a daily card, Chance implies you are currently in a place where taking a chance is likely to produce substantial rewards. In other words, take a few calculated steps out on the proverbial limb, but remember if you take it too far you are likely to lose all that you gain and possibly more.

Get a Jump on Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, December 17th

Aries

This is a good day for focusing on activities that promote emotional renewal, dear Aries. You can gain a better perspective on your financial picture as well as your relationships today with Venus and Pluto vibing and the intuitive Moon picking up this energy as well. Look to the talents and resources of others or a partner to see if these can benefit a business. Think strategically and draw on your imagination and past experience/wisdom to your plans and to better understand your connections. You benefit the most today through observation rather than direct action. You should also find ways to soothe nerves. Today and the next few are strong for healing relationship rifts.

Taurus

Venus is your ruler, and when it connects well with your partnership ruler, Pluto, you tend to find yourself connecting well with others or reaching a pleasant agreement of sorts, dear Taurus. Today’s Venus-Pluto connection occurs in the morning, but the Moon picks up and carries these energies later on, and you may very well enjoy some special interactions and insights now. Venus happens to be in your partnership sector as well, further boosting possibilities of enhancing or attracting relationships. You’re also coming across with more confidence and personal power. The general vibe is friendly but not frivolous, and this becomes you well. If you want to express your commitment or passion, now is a good time to do so.

Gemini

There may be a project that you find especially absorbing and compelling today, dear Gemini, and you are likely interested in exploring things further. Today and this week are strong for investigation, getting to the heart of a matter, and discovering important truths. Research efforts can bring good results, and even if you don’t get somewhere, you enjoy the process. Doing some sleuthing is appealing now. This can also be a good time for looking into a health or fitness matter, for enjoying the process of getting healthier, and possibly finding a way to monetize a favorite activity. You’re likely expected to be on top of things today, and your quiet confidence goes a long way towards gaining respect or recognition.

Cancer

This is a strong day for enhancing or attracting a partnership or close relationship, dear Cancer, particularly an affair of the heart. A connection made or a moment shared can be significant and meaningful now. For some, this is about a project or creative work that you love, and you’re ready to pour your heart into it. A relationship or project can fill you with a stronger sense of purpose. You might consider ways to improve or get ahead. There is good intuitive sense today, and your powers of attraction are stronger than usual. There can be a desire to share a belief, dream, or tradition with someone you care about.

Leo

This is a good day for looking at yourself and your needs or desires honestly, dear Leo, and benefiting from what you discover. You might thoroughly enjoy and throw yourself into a work, health, or home project now, as the motivation is there to do so. Your personal security and comfort with yourself can attract others to you now. There is more intensity in your interactions and/or your love and feeling nature today, such that you may skip over small talk and get to the meat of a matter. This can be a good time to recognize emotional blocks and finding ways to move past them. The Moon in your solar eighth house all day encourages observation and strategy. You benefit most from attracting things to you rather than chasing them just for now.

Virgo

Conversations are especially rich and possibly even moving today, dear Virgo, and you may be able to bring a relationship or project to a new level now. You might come up with a good strategy for handling your money, or possibly even for converting a just-for-fun hobby into a money-making business. Others are truly listening to what you have to say now, and your powers of persuasion are at a high. Even so, a good idea you come up with now might better be kept to yourself just for the time being. Sharing an overview with a significant other can be fun, however. Passions and interests don’t always need to be shared, but respecting them is important in any relationship.

Libra

You’re likely to enjoy warm and supportive interactions today that boost your basic levels of confidence, comfort, and security, dear Libra. Your ability to strategize, and even to hold your tongue, brings the most rewards now with the ruler of your sign, Venus, in beneficial aspect to Pluto. You can inspire trust now, and possibly even awe. Your strength of character is recognized by others and earns you more respect. Whether you’re clearing out your desk, your closet, or your brain, it’s a good time to get rid of what you don’t absolutely need. Progress and self-improvement are in focus. You can make some important changes in your image today, and with money, talents, and resources.

Scorpio

You’re on a roll today, with energy to spare, dear Scorpio. This can be a wonderful day for attracting positive people and energy into your life. You can find yourself naturally drawn to mutually beneficial or simply pleasing social situations, and your manner is especially attractive and appealing. It’s a great time for attracting or building/healing a relationship, and also for building upon and improving a pet project. You are persuasive and personally powerful. It’s a generally good day for making a commitment, particularly to a learning or communications project, or possibly simply purchasing equipment. You are seeing what you truly need and ready to put your heart into whatever moves you.

Sagittarius

Relationships with friends are supportive and pleasing today, dear Sagittarius. You might enjoy keeping a secret today as you hold on to something that makes you feel special and you are not quite ready to share it. This is your prerogative, and it may in fact be a good idea to keep things on the down low for now. There is a compelling quality to feelings of love now. Emotional longings can be in strong focus, but more easily understood. There is also good energy for recycling or repurposing resources such that they’re transformed. Your money sense is good now.

Capricorn

You’re in a most expansive and expressive mood today, dear Capricorn. The desire to explore and learn is strong, and any activity that ties you to a desk, that seems stifling or limiting, or that feels lifeless and dull will have you itching to escape. Your powers of magnetic attraction are good right now, and you’ll find it rather easy to maneuver things the way you’d like them to be. Offering your expertise to colleagues can open up great rewards for you these days. You stand to gain the respect and appreciation of others, and self-respect as well. It certainly feels good to contribute and share.

Aquarius

It’s a good day for expressing patience and employing strategy, dear Aquarius. You may be throwing yourself into something you truly love doing, and with this motivation, you can accomplish and uncover a lot. You’ll find that the conviction behind your desires and ideas attracts support from others. Past good deeds can bring rewards to the present. Others are putting their faith in you as someone who is discreet and professional – someone who can keep a secret if necessary, and who doesn’t need to take credit for everything. There is good money sense with you today, as you’re seeing things for their value and priority.

Pisces

Conversations today tend to be intense but pleasant, dear Pisces, and you could be quite impassioned about an idea or a project. Some of you could feel more confident as a result of your involvement in a team, or for contributions you make to a cause or group effort. You might enjoy new opportunities to prove yourself and your effectiveness. Strong creative and/or romantic energies flow today, and you could find yourself attracted to a new idea or person, or interested in repurposing and rejuvenating a current project or relationship.

If You Were Born Today, December 16

You dislike planning ahead, preferring to wing it and then pick up the pieces, if necessary, later on. You see life as an adventure. Although your intuition is quite good, sometimes you act on impulse just for the sake of stirring things up. It’s when you are acting on blind impulse rather than intuition that you are accident-prone (not just physically, either!). You are a natural psychologist, and your powers of observation when it comes to people are superb.

Famous people born today: Ludwig van Beethoven, Benjamin Bratt, Jane Austen, Margaret Mead, Steven Bochco, Liv Ullmann.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, December 16th

Aries

Your higher ideals are in strong focus today, dear Aries. You are less interested in professional goals now, and more concerned about your connection to the world through your community and friendships. The second half of the day brings a stronger need to pull back into yourself and more of a desire to sidestep the more demanding elements of daily life. It’s a good time to do a bit of reflection, looking back, and looking within. A Venus-Pluto aspect is on the horizon and helps you to do so with self-honesty. You might also gain new insight into a relationship or business move. With the Sun moving to the top of your solar chart next week, when your ambitions will move to the front burner, take advantage of opportunities to rest and sort out your priorities now.

Taurus

You can feel quite committed to what you’re doing today, dear Taurus, particularly in the morning. You’ll find that your energy is virtually limitless when you feel the magic of commitment. This afternoon’s Pisces Moon tends to bring out your more sociable side, as well as need for a sense of community and belongingness. We’re moving into a Venus-Pluto sextile that subtly intensifies your feelings, particularly related to a person or relationship, and this energy becomes stronger as the day advances. You’re framed well now, particularly as you show willingness to delve deeper than usual. Use this time to repair or enhance a relationship if needed.

Gemini

There is general ease with expressing your feelings and desires in the first half of the day, dear Gemini, and you’re likely to be spirited and enthusiastic although not necessarily directed. By early afternoon, you become increasingly tuned in to what you need to do. Responsibilities come into focus and if you’re generally on top of things, this can feel good. If you’ve been procrastinating, you might feel a little nervous until you get to work. A Venus-Pluto influence is approaching, and this helps you to cut out the fluff and focus. Even so, Venus-Pluto is about throwing yourself into what you love, and this can be distracting if what you love is not what you need to do! Relationships can be consuming now, in a mostly positive way.

Cancer

You continue to live life as an observer in the first half of the day, dear Cancer, which can be very useful in moderation. By early afternoon, you’re feeling ready to jump into action, although you might feel a little restless initially if you’re not sure where to channel your energy. As the day advances, focus becomes easier and more natural. This is a time for following a passion. Relationships can be strengthened through focus, presence, and involvement. You are able to make the best out of a situation, and to work for what you want.

Leo

With the Moon in your opposite sign until midday, dear Leo, you are in the position to see the other side of the story, and this can be eye-opening. Helping out a partner, or simply listening more intently to others’ wishes and needs, is the key to success and fulfillment. As the day advances, you’re inclined to seek out more depth in your interactions or meaning to your activities. You might prefer to be alone if you aren’t able to engage in meaningful conversations. There is good energy for throwing yourself into a project or activity that you enjoy, and this can be related to family and home.

Virgo

You continue to concern yourself with your daily affairs and small problems that need fixing in the first half of the day, dear Virgo. From early afternoon forward, you’re more likely to look for a wider perspective. There can be a tendency to want someone you trust and know well to take charge in small ways, as you may be a little exhausted from making all the decisions. Revealing conversations can occur today that give you a fresh new perspective on important people in your life, as well as practical problems, such as personal finances. Good energy is with you for throwing energy into a communications and/or creative project tonight and into tomorrow.

Libra

Going with the flow today comes quite naturally, dear Libra, although you may not feel especially productive until later. The second half of the day is strong for getting serious after several days of a wandering mind and difficulties focusing. Friends can also be supportive, backing you up or defending you, and possibly even pulling you out of a funk. From a feeling of lack or limitation with money or resources comes a stronger motivation to take care of what you have and for drawing up plans to improve your lot in life. Tonight and tomorrow are excellent for gaining a new understanding of your own resources and talents, and for personal presence and power. The more empowered you feel, the closer you get to your heart and your true desires.

Scorpio

Self-nurturing and playing it safe continues to be beneficial in the first half of the day, dear Scorpio. Boosting your inner self helps you to express yourself more creatively and from the heart as the Moon moves into your creative sector early afternoon. Even so, your sense of responsibility is building, so that you can better balance your life with productivity and play. We move towards a gently motivating influence as the day advances, and it’s especially strong for your personal magnetism and ability to reach a new level in a relationship.

Sagittarius

You may be feeling a little scattered early today, dear Sagittarius, but generally curious and interested. However, your passions and interests come into stronger focus as the day advances. By early afternoon, you’re likely to want to settle down, both mentally and physically. Immersing yourself in what truly pleases you comes naturally tonight and tomorrow. New insight into financial or security matters can emerge. You might also see a matter of the past more clearly, and find a way to put it behind you. Desires are especially intense as you have a tendency to keep them to yourself, so finding ways to release them, even in little ways, can work to your advantage.

Capricorn

You’re craving a steady pace in the first half of the day, dear Capricorn. As the day advances, your curiosity grows. By early afternoon, the Moon moves into a more harmonious position viz a viz your sign, and you’re in a busy but pleasant frame of mind. Let go of expectations and remind yourself that things don’t have to make sense right now – this kind of mental detachment can relieve a lot of pressure. If there’s a project that requires research, later today is strong for investing time and energy into it. Recent problems with friends might be dealt with now and handled in a practical yet effective way.

Aquarius

The Moon is in your sign until early afternoon, dear Aquarius, and your emotional needs are in strong focus. While these needs may seem urgent, remind yourself that you have time to fill them, and in fact, get to know yourself better in the process. Your emotions settle and life tends to calm down in the second half of the day. The pace is slower and this may be just what you need. Even so, it’s quite easy to get caught up in an enjoyable pursuit with Venus and Pluto moving towards a harmonious aspect. You can have fabulous business ideas under this influence that will follow you into tomorrow. You may be seeking out something meaningful to put your heart into, and have a good chance of finding it.

Pisces

The first half of the day continues to be another time best used for private or low-profile activities, dear Pisces. The Moon is in the sign just behind yours, and will be until early afternoon. This points to additional need for rest, relaxation, and reflection. As the day advances, your emotional enthusiasm grows, and a stronger sense of purpose or mission can fall into place. While emotional needs continue to demand your attention, you’re likely to be clearer about what they are and how to go about satisfying them.

The Balance of the Elements & the Signs for December 16th

SAGITTARIUS STRONG
Inspiring, broad vision, enthusiastic, goal seeking, truthful, adventurous. Can be reckless, unrestrained, tactless.
CAPRICORN STRONG
Disciplined, responsible, reliable, industrious, conscientious, practical, achieving. Can be pessimistic, overly conventional, rigid, materialistic, callous.
AQUARIUS STRONG
Humanitarian, innovative, group conscious, progressive, serving others. Can be rebellious, eccentric, aloof, emotionally superficial, overly extroverted.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

The elements are balanced.

BALANCE OF MODES

The modes are balanced.

Astrology of Today – December 16, 2015

Summary:

• The Moon is in Aquarius until 12:44 PM.
• The Moon is void from 2:16 AM to 12:44 PM.
• The Moon is in Pisces from 12:44 PM forward (until Friday, December 18th, at 4:26 PM).
• The Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Crescent phase.
• A New Moon occurred in the sign of Sagittarius on the 11th, and a First Quarter Moon will occur on December 18th.