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 November 11

An Unexpected Rocket Plume over San Francisco
Image Credit & Copyright: Abe Blair (Abe Blair Gallery)

Explanation: What is that unusual light in the sky? A common question, this particular light was not only bright but moving and expanding. It appeared just as the astrophotographer and his friend were photographing the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California against a more predictable night sky. They were not alone in seeing this unusual display — at least hundreds of people in California reported a similar sight. The consensus of experienced sky observers was that the plume resulted from a rocket launch — an explanation that was soon confirmed as an unpublicized test of a submarine-launched, unarmed, Trident II D5 nuclear missile. Such tests are not uncommon but do not usually occur just after sunset near a major metropolitan area — when they are particularly noticeable to many people. Were plume images not posted to the Internet and quickly identified, such a sky spectacle might have been understood by some to be associated with more grandiose — but incorrect — explanations.

In the Sky Tonight – North Taurid Meteors Shower

Tonight and tomorrow night – the nights of November 11 and 12, 2015 – are the predicted peak nights of the North Taurid meteor shower. Lucky for us, the new moon comes today (November 11), guaranteeing moon-free skies these next few midnights. And here’s the even better news. The Taurids – which are divided into two streams, the North and South Taurids – have been awesome this year! We’ve heard reports and seen photos of many bright and amazing Taurid fireballs in 2015. Here are a few tips to help you observe this shower.

Note for Southern Hemisphere stargazers: Everything we’re saying here applies to you, too!

1. Keep your expectations real. The South Taurids peak has already passed. And there’s no sharp peak to North Taurids, so don’t expect a shower in the sense of a shower of rain. You might not see any more than five North Taurids an hour, but you can still add a few South Taurid meteors to that mix. It’s not the number of Taurids that makes this shower amazing this year. Instead …

2. Watch for fireballs! Both the North and South Taurids are known for having a high percentage of fireballs – extra-bright meteors. That’s what you want to watch for this year. To increase your chances of seeing a really bright meteor …

3. Watch in the hours around midnight. That’s when the radiant point, in the constellation Taurus the Bull, will be well above your horizon. That’s true for both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere, by the way.

4. If you do need to watch in the evening hours, be aware that the meteors tend to be few and far between at that time. However, if you’re lucky, you might catch an earthgrazer meteor, which is a slow-moving and long-lasting meteor that travels horizontally across the sky. Worth a try!

5. The North Taurid meteors’ radiant point is in the constellation Taurus the Bull. In fact, the radiant for this shower is not far from the famous Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters, in Taurus. You don’t need to identify this constellation to see the meteors. They will appear all over the sky. Still, it helps to know when the radiant rises. Taurus rises over the northeast horizon around 7 to 8 p.m. at mid-northern latitudes. At temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Taurus rises a few hours later.

6. Yes, you can watch the shower no matter where you are on Earth. The constellation Taurus climbs upward as evening deepens into late night, and soars highest for the night shortly after midnight. The higher that Taurus appears in your sky, the more meteors that you’re likely to see. Because Taurus is a northern constellation, it climbs higher in the Northern Hemisphere sky than for our cousins in the Southern Hemisphere.

7. Find a dark place to observe. You don’t need to find the constellation Taurus to enjoy the North Taurid meteor shower. But it does help to find a dark, open sky. Be sure to take along a reclining lawn chair for comfort.

8. Clouded out? Missed it? Nah! This shower will be active for another month or so.
Bottom line: Meteor forecasters are calling for the nights of November 11 and 12 to be the peak nights of the North Taurid meteor. This shower has produced an abundance of fireballs – very bright meteors – in 2015. Watch for them.

Courtesy of Our Good Friends At Earth Sky News

The Wisdom of Buddha

The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve.

Shuffling the Cards, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today Using the Ancient Symbol Cards

Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.

The Believer

The Believer represents Faith and the realization that you have an important place in the workings of the Universe. Although The Believer may not always understand why things are the way they are, they none-the-less feel an underlying cosmic rhythm which is moving events in a direction that is good. The Believer rejoices in their celestial role, because they realize their life has purpose on a grand scale.

 
Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.

Alturism

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.

Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.

Solitude

Solitude is represented by a single person standing at the end of a boardwalk staring out at a vast, empty panorama. They are truly alone, but may not feel loneliness. They are at a place in their life where the need to withdraw from the our secular world is strong, because their focus should be on their inner self, their morality, and their dreams. The view before them is empty, but it is a canvas on which they may paint their future–a future restricted only by the size of their imagination and courage. For them Solitude is a choice. They chose to take the walkway that distances them from the rest of us. It is also a choice that can be undone. Just as they chose to take a path that leads them away from us, they may choose to turn around and come back at anytime.

Your Daily Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Magus

The Magus is the physical embodiment of decisive action based upon knowledge and aimed squarely at specific goals. Thoroughly Yang by nature and firmly set in the material world, he none-the-less has a powerful spiritual connection as well. His knowledge, wisdom and skill are all encompassing. He is complete. His power as a creator is unmatched on our earthly plane. He is self-aware and unafraid to act. His enormous strength gives him the freedom to act as he chooses. However, responsibility comes with that freedom. Because he is not bound to the restraints of others he must choose how to act. The question that always lies before him is should he act morally, or forsake ethics for personal gain.

As a daily card, The Magus suggest you currently possess a tremendous power and freedom to move your life in any direction you choose. In short, you can make things happen. Your true challenge at the moment is to move forward without trampling the dreams of others. Fortunately your moral fiber is strong as well, and will guide you down the right path.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Moon

The Moon represents those forces which remain largely hidden to us. The light of the moon provides some illumination down a path into the unknown, but not enough to brighten the landscape like The Sun, or cut through the dark shadows from which the unexpected may leap. However, The Moon is not without gifts we can use. She spurs our imagination and creativity. She can be a portal to knowledge and experience beyond the realm of our everyday lives. But Her offerings are not available to the feint of heart. To receive what The Moon offers one must have the courage to follow uncharted paths and the intelligence to find truths hidden in a bewildering setting rife with illusion. For those who can make this journey the reward may be finding the key to making their dreams come true

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Horoscopes for Thursday, November 12th

by Rick Levine

General Horoscope
Inspirational ideas vanquish old fears as the Moon skips into optimistic Sagittarius at 10:13 am EST. However, our timing is off and we may jump to incorrect conclusions while mental Mercury crosses paths with erratic Uranus. But we can’t stop things from turning serious when the Moon joins somber Saturn this evening. Luckily, we realize there is plenty of time to make decisions once assertive Mars enters ambivalent Libra for a two-month stay.

Aries Horoscope Mar 21 – Apr 19
Just as the bumps on the road of life seem to smooth out, another obstacle stops you in your tracks today. Maybe you miscalculated the amount of work on your plate or perhaps you missed a pertinent piece of information. No matter what, there’s no reason to complain. You might be self-critical because you could have seen the potential trouble if you paid closer attention. But instead of wasting energy second-guessing things you can’t change, take care of the most immediate concerns as quickly as possible. The good news is your I-can-do-it attitude is both constructive and contagious.

Taurus Horoscope Apr 20 – May 20
You might try to hide your actions today because you’re afraid of others misjudging your behavior as frivolous. You may believe you don’t have anything important to add to the conversation, but chances are you just need more time to decide how to express yourself clearly. Don’t worry about how anyone else will react. Just tell the truth exactly as you see it now; it’s unlikely that you will be faulted for speaking from your heart if your message is authentic.

Gemini Horoscope May 21 – Jun 20
Your serious mood can have a negative impact on your coworkers today while unresolved issues sneak back into your awareness to haunt you. Oddly enough, you may experience a weird mix of excitement and concern as memories are triggered by someone close to you. Your attempts to avoid a meaningful discussion probably won’t be successful now. Act proactively and start a conversation about what’s on your mind instead of trying to ignore the truth. Wake up and take the initiative; it might as well be you who gets the ball rolling.

Cancer Horoscope Jun 21 – Jul 22
People may think you’re being overly critical today, though you might not see yourself in this light. Your current sobering perspective stems from an apparent weak link in someone’s story, and you’re not willing to support a plan based upon sloppy logic. Don’t try to bury your feelings; instead, just change the tone of your words. You can be honest without blaming anyone else in the process. Honoring your integrity is all that truly matters now.

Leo Horoscope Jul 23 – Aug 22
You could reach a turning point today as you secretly obsess about your shortcomings. Naturally, everyone has a regret or two; there are always things you could have done better or, perhaps shouldn’t have done at all. Instead of pursuing perfection now, it’s wise to just accept your limitations and admit that you are a flawed human. There’s no time to throw a pity party. Shift your trajectory by compiling a list of everything you do well. The power of positive thinking tips the scales in your favor.

Virgo Horoscope Aug 23 – Sep 22
Your renowned analytical skills are operating on overdrive now that an exacting electric Mercury-Uranus alignment focuses your mind like a laser beam. Unfortunately, controlling the energy is out of the question today. There’s no reason to undermine others with your sharp criticism; nothing is currently gained by nitpicking their work. Providing constructive feedback enables you to suggest potential improvements without resorting to negativity. Use your power of discernment wisely to bring out the best in everyone.

Libra Horoscope Sep 23 – Oct 22
You may feel stuck in a rut of routine in spite of your current craving for excitement. In fact, you could grow rather disillusioned today about your future prospects. Although a recent disappointment might deepen your malaise, don’t make despondency a regular habit because your life is about to change for the better. Instead of reminiscing about an event in the past, switch your focus now and imagine the best possible scenario that could be waiting for you just around the next corner.

Scorpio Horoscope Oct 23 – Nov 21
Understanding where your life is leading these days is a real mystery; nevertheless, you believe you would be happier if you knew where to look for answers. Your pessimistic outlook weighs heavily on your heart and the burden of responsibilities you feel may not even be your own. Unfortunately, you can’t invent an easy remedy to cure your current blues today. Believe it or not, simply accepting your current uncertainty could be enough to transform your despair into hope. Don’t lose faith in your dreams; the clouds will dissipate and the Sun will come out sooner than you think.

Sagittarius Horoscope Nov 22 – Dec 21
People seem to come out of the woodwork to tell you exactly what’s wrong with your new plan today — even if you’re not asking for any feedback. Unfortunately, others aren’t necessarily tactful in their assessment of your ideas. Additionally, you could be so sensitive now that you might make matters worse by responding ungraciously. Don’t dwell on the negative; you have too much to do and there’s no point in entertaining unproductive thoughts. Things will quickly improve once you stop talking and start listening.

Capricorn Horoscope Dec 22 – Jan 19
You’re motivated to put extra time and effort on the job today or, perhaps, you’re eager to add your expertise to a community project. Either way, your optimism is flagging now, leaving you with a sense of vulnerability about your future. Although you might wonder if all your hard work is actually worth it, it’s not wise to retreat. Abandoning your plans won’t help anyone; just be more realistic about your expectations so you can actually reach your goals on schedule. All is not lost if you keep a healthy perspective.

Aquarius Horoscope Jan 20 – Feb 18
Thinking about having fun is nearly impossible today while the dynamics at work are so serious. You might give up your dream for an upcoming getaway because you don’t have enough time. It’s prudent to focus your energy on something more practical that contributes to your stability, rather than escaping on a whimsical adventure. Sticking close to home makes good sense now; so don’t push beyond safe limits until you feel as if you’re back on more stable ground. Taking care of unfinished business is your first step to regaining control of your life.

Pisces Horoscope Feb 19 – Mar 20
If someone delivers a harsh message today, you really don’t have to blindly accept his or her interpretation of reality. Nevertheless, if you trust the source, you may be overly susceptible to what you hear. Listen carefully to what others say now, but don’t take anything too personally. Luckily, you can put whatever you learn into motion to improve your game if you assimilate the facts without an emotional charge. Remember, those close to you might truly have your best interests at heart.

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