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 July 9

Road to Mars 
Image Credit & Copyright: John Chumack

Explanation: What’s that light at the end of the road? Mars. This is a good month to point out Mars to your friends and family because our neighboring planet will not only be its brightest in 15 years, it will be visible for much of night. During this month, Mars will be about 180 degrees around from the Sun, and near the closest it ever gets to planet Earth. In terms of orbits, Mars is also nearing the closest point to the Sun in its elliptical orbit, just as Earth moves nearly between it and the Sun — an alignment known as perihelic opposition. In terms of viewing, orange Mars will rise in the east just as the Sun sets in the west, on the opposite side of the sky. Mars will climb in the sky during the night, reach its highest near midnight, and then set in the west just as the Sun begins to rise in the east. The red planet was captured setting beyond a stretch of road in Arches National Park in mid-May near Moab, Utah,

Chances are you’ve never seen Cancer the Crab, the faintest of the 13 constellations of the zodiac. Cancer the Crab may be found between the two brightest stars of Gemini (Castor and Pollux) and Leo’s brightest star (Regulus). Follow the links below to learn more about this constellation.

How to find the constellation Cancer. In the Northern Hemisphere, Cancer is best seen in the evening sky in late winter and early spring. It is lost in the sun’s glare in July and August, and then is found in the morning sky starting in September. If you’re up before dawn during a Northern Hemisphere autumn, try finding Cancer and its Beehive star cluster.

Let’s suppose you have identified the Leo star Regulus, and the Gemini stars Castor and Pollux – and you look between them for Cancer and see, well, nothing much. Remember, Cancer is faint. Our advice is to look for it in a dark country sky.

Cancer is always well placed for viewing in March, and it is also well placed for evening viewing in April and May. It starts to descend into the sunset glare in June.

In early March every year, look for the constellation Cancer to be due south and highest up in the sky around 10 p.m. local time. (From the tropics, Cancer shines high overhead, and from temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere, Cancer appears due north.) Because the stars return to the same place in the sky about four minutes earlier each day, or one-half hour earlier weekly, look for Cancer to be highest in the sky in mid-March at 9 p.m. local time (10 p.m. local daylight saving time). By late March or early April, Cancer reaches its high point for the night at 8 p.m. local time (9 p.m. local daylight saving time).

On a moonless night, Cancer is surprisingly easy to see in a dark country sky. You can locate the Crab’s place on the Zodiac by referring to certain zodiacal stars. The two brightest stars in the constellation Gemini, Castor and Pollux, shine on one side of Cancer, while Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo, lies on the other side.

Cancer’s famous Beehive star cluster. Cancer makes up for its lackluster stars by having within its boundaries one of the sky’s brighter star clusters, the Beehive cluster, also known as M44. Another name for the Beehive is Praesepe (Latin for “manger”).

In a dark sky, the Beehive looks like a tiny faint cloud to the unaided eye. As seen through ordinary binoculars, this nebulous patch of haze instantly turns into a sparkling city of stars. It is an open cluster, one of the nearest to our solar system. The Beehive is thought to contain a larger star population than most other nearby clusters.

The Beehive’s stars appear to be similar in age and proper motion to stars of the V-shaped Hyades open star cluster. It’s possible the two clusters were born from two parts of a single vast cloud of gas and dust in space.

Significance of constellation Cancer. Cancer’s stature as a constellation of the zodiac has remained steadfast over the millennia. Over two thousand years ago, the sun shone in front of the constellation Cancer during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice. That’s not the case today, however.

Today, the sun resides in front of the constellation Taurus when the summer solstice sun reaches its northernmost point for the year on or near June 21.

Nonetheless, Cancer still seems to symbolize the height and glory of the summer sun. To this day, we say the sun shines over the Tropic of Cancer – not the “tropic of Taurus” – on the June solstice. That’s in spite of the fact that the sun in our time passes in front of the constellation Cancer from about July 21 until August 10.

Nowadays, the sun doesn’t enter the constellation Cancer until about a month after the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice.

Cancer in history, myth and science. According to Richard Hinckley Allen, in his book Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning, astrologers call Cancer the House of the Moon from the early belief that the moon was located here at creation.

In astrology, the moon is said to rule Cancer. Astrology differs from astronomy in that astrologers assume positions of heavenly bodies have certain influences over human affairs. Astronomers generally regard the supposed connections as unfounded and view astrology as a pseudo-science.

Interestingly enough, however, modern-day astronomers believe the sun might have originated from Cancer’s fainter star cluster, Messier 67, though this study seems to throw cold water on the idea. Still, it looks as if Cancer may be the home of a creation story in both astrology and astronomy.

In ancient Chaldean and Platonic philosophy, Cancer was called the Gate of Men. It was through this portal that souls descend from the heavens above and into the bodies of the newly born.

Around 2700 years ago, the sun passed in front of the Beehive cluster on the Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice. Back then, this cluster stood at the apex of the Zodiac, so perhaps it was this heavenly nebulosity that marked the Gate of Men. At present, the sun has its annual conjunction with the Beehive cluster in late July or early August.

In olden times, before the advent of light pollution, the ancients referred to the Beehive as the Praesepe (“little cloud”). The Roman author Pliny reports that when the Praesepe is invisible in an otherwise clear sky, it’s a sure sign of impending storm. Yes, the Beehive cluster once served as a celestial weather station.

Although Cancer may be the faintest constellation of the Zodiac, its legacy remains intact. On a dark, moonless night, look for Cancer’s faint grouping of stars to spring out in between the more conspicuous constellations Gemini and Leo.

Bottom line: Looking for the constellation Cancer? How to find it here. Plus Cancer’s place in sky history, lore and science.

By Maria DeSimone

Jupiter, Astrology

Jupiter, like every planet, flows in and out of direct and retrograde motion. While certain planets (Mercury, Venus or Mars) tend to disrupt our vibe here on Earth with great fanfare when out of phase, Jupiter has a more subtle effect. Still, it can be just as potent.

As the energy of this giant ball of blessings turns inward for the duration of the retrograde (about four months per year) I see this as an extra special gift. Even if you feel teased by the universe, if used correctly, the Jupiter Retrograde months can help you solidify your inner conviction, faith and optimism for a brighter world and future, both personally and collectively. We all get to cash in on this amazing gift as soon as Jupiter turns direct. Lucky us!

Use Jupiter Direct’s power wisely

Here’s an analogy that might help you understand the significance of Jupiter’s power when he turns direct on July 10, 2018 — and how to make sure you use it wisely.

Think of Jupiter as your favorite cupcake. You haven’t had this treat in ages and the craving, when you see the cupcake in front of you, is intense. You know that if only you could take a bite out of it, every inch of you would fill with joy.

This cupcake catches your eye as you walk past the bakery because there are dozens displayed, sumptuously, in the window. Your mouth begins to water and you feel yourself turning towards the door to enter the bakery. You simply must indulge.

But then, your imminent cupcake heaven is interrupted when your hand twists to open the door and is met with resistance. It’s locked.

When it’s locked, of course, Jupiter is retrograde. You see the cupcakes displayed in the window, but all you can do is press your nose against the glass and dream about them. This initial disappointment forces you to turn the Jupiter energy inward. You meditate about how much better you and the world might be once you can enjoy the yummylicious treat.

Days turn into weeks and the bakery never opens. You discover that the owners took an extended vacation to the Mediterranean and there are no more cupcakes to gawk at in the window. But there they remain, tattooed inside your mind’s eye.

Make your own cupcakes

Jupiter Retrograde begins to work his magic when your vision becomes so intense for that cupcake that you consider whether you have the capacity to make them yourself. Do you? You sit and wonder.  As you look deep within for the answers (the point of Jupiter Retrograde) you finally realize that yes, you believe enough in yourself to at least try. You have faith.

You spend another few weeks in solitude experimenting with ingredients and recipes until you hit the jackpot. When the day finally arrives and you’re staring at luscious cupcakes made in your very own kitchen, with your bare hands and positive mind, the moment is pure heaven. Tasting those cupcakes is the most incredible gift you’ve ever given yourself.

That day, Jupiter turns direct.

You pass by the bakery later that afternoon and notice that cupcakes have filled the window again. They’re open! Ahhh, but your craving is gone.  Still, you want to see what happens if you open the door. Much to your delight, you glide right into the store and the owner greets you with a wide smile.

“Would you like to sample one of our signature cupcakes?”

You consider for a moment and then decline. “Thank you so much, but I’ve had my fill. While you were away I had such a craving for your cupcakes that I decided to create my own recipe. I must say, they are incredible. Everyone who has tasted them says they’re the best they’ve ever had.”

The store owner’s eyes twinkle with interest. “You don’t say? Well, I have a proposition for you, my friend. Would you like to sell me the recipe for your amazing cupcake? We’ve been looking for something new and tasty to offer our customers.”

Your wheels begin to turn and you accept the offer.

Within a month of Jupiter turning direct, your cupcakes are a best-seller. You develop new recipes that continue to please even the most discriminating cupcake palette. Sales at the bakery have doubled. The owner offers to make you a partner and you accept.

You remember those darker months when Jupiter was retrograde and all you wanted was a cupcake that seemed out of reach. You recall how just as soon as you started to have faith in yourself and your inner gifts, everything began to fall into place. The answers were inside of you all along … you just had to believe.

Life is good, my friends, life is very good. After all, Jupiter is finally direct. So go ahead, have your cupcake and eat it too.

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

The Wisdom of Buddha

It is a man’s own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

I admit I had a hard time picking out a photo for the hummingbirds.

To me, these animals are one of the Goddess’ greatest creation.

So little, so tiny, stop and watch their little wings as they flutter through the wind.

You will be truly be amazed by this creature the Goddess has blessed us with.

Psychic Tip of the Day

Tarot.com is Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2018

If You Were Born Today, July 10

You are quick-witted, enthusiastic, and an eternal explorer. You are often assessing what things are worth, and are generally very good at it – you have good taste and a knack for finding worthwhile and valuable things. You enjoy traveling and learning, and you are forever seeking meaning and truths in life. Although you very much dislike routine, you are also very security-conscious and need to lay down roots. Famous people born today: Jessica Simpson, Arlo Guthrie, Adrian Grenier, Sofia Vergara.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

Neptune transits in harmony with your Sun this year, enhancing your creativity. A higher purpose to your life is what you seek during this period, and you rely more heavily upon your intuition in order to achieve it. You could find that your intuition is subtly enhanced and that you’re often in the right place at the right time, probably because your hunches are more likely to be correct. You tune into your imaginative and artistic side. This is a good year for self-improvement programs or efforts. The need to “get away from it all” to find some peace and quiet now and again will be strong. A more sensitive – even mysterious -persona is projected this year, and this can attract pleasantly unusual circumstances (and people) into your life.

Even so, you may not always have follow-through when it comes to your projects as you may be experimenting with new ideas and hobbies. Watch for wasting too much time on new ideas if it comes at the expense of productivity. Ups and downs may lead to new commitments nevertheless.

There can be a stronger tendency toward, or desire for, commitment and deep involvement in your relationships during this period. You may be taking love and/or friendship more seriously. There can be a willingness to make sacrifices if it seems the best way to make improvements in relationships and with money matters. You can be quite particular in your tastes, and better than usual with money and savings.

In your relationships, you may be feeling pleasantly attached, finding it natural and easy to nurture and support people in your life. However, you’re also quite willing to try new ways of relating and you’re more inclined to venture out socially or try new things. You’re welcoming more spontaneity into your personal relationships, or at least some of them. You’re in excellent shape for social meetings and events as well as for situations that call for treating others with equality and respect. You are more courageous on a social level, and happily embrace the new, unusual, and out-of-the-ordinary with regards to romantic involvements as well as financial undertakings.

This could be a good year for financial endeavors involving electronics, technology, the internet, metaphysics, and the arts, as well as group activities. Circumstances may be such that you handle money more carefully this year.

You have a taste for the offbeat this year, and romance or friendship can enter your life unexpectedly, perhaps in a scenario that at least feels like love at first sight.

With certain relationships, you’re finding ways to make progressive or unconventional set-ups work, or injecting more excitement and fun into steady connections.

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.

Saturn forms an opposition to your Sun from March 2019 forward. 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 this month. 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. Fortunately, this is a quick pass transit, lasting only a month or so instead of the usual several months.

While you’re going with the flow in many life departments this year, in some areas, there can be tension. These may be necessary to break free from a limiting situation, but be mindful when/if making sweeping changes. With work, you’re expanding your interests in satisfying ways. Do watch for a tendency to communicate impulsively and to waste too much time on projects that don’t lead to something substantial. There can be increased steadiness and reliability in your social life, however, and some relationships (or a key one) improve happily.

2018 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.

2019 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.

Source

Cafe Astrology

Your career horoscope for the week beginning July 9th

Peter Watson, Astrologer

From The Astrology Room

ARIES   Mar 21 – Apr 20
Inventive ideas will occur to you as you’re faced with a situation requiring you to be pretty strong and firm about certain commitments or financial arrangements.  Some of the other people involved will complain that things have been allowed to take care of themselves and of course the results have been rather disappointing.  You, on the other hand are being affected by a tie-up between Venus and Uranus which will not only inspire you with highly original tactics but you’ll also be pretty sure that you can foresee just how much profit can be made by taking this approach.  All of which is fine but make sure you have every bit of information at your fingertips and that no-one has omitted to tell you crucial facts that could make a difference to the eventual outcome.

TAURUS  Apr 21 – May 21
It’s about time you that learned to trust yourself with regard to your ability to smooth over difficult situations and encourage certain other people to respect one another.  It’s quite likely that some of your colleagues and associates have not exactly been seeing eye-to-eye.  And on the one hand you might say that’s up to them but on the other hand it’s likely to be affecting productivity and creativity while also giving rise to a rather uncomfortable atmosphere all round.  So it’s very important that you make the most of having your ruler Venus making its way into the conscientious, helpful sign of Virgo.  Venus is of course the planet of balance, peace and rationale.  What better qualities could you have at your disposal when there’s disruption lurking in the background?

GEMINI   May 22 – Jun 21
People may have been suggesting that you’d benefit from installing a new accounting system or at least handling your financial affairs differently.  But out of sheer bloody-mindedness you have refused to go along with their ideas.   Or could it be that you genuinely think that there’s no need for change in this particular area?  Whichever the case may be you are likely to start thinking differently once you feel the impact of the Solar Eclipse occurring towards the end of the week.  You can expect to see quite suddenly and unexpectedly just how much you can benefit from making a few refinements in terms of invoicing, accounting and money coming in or going out.  Just don’t be too proud to admit that those who’ve been urging you to re-think this situation were actually spot-on.

CANCER   Jun 22 – Jul 23
Those complaining that your imaginative approach to certain plans or projects is too frivolous are not being deliberately difficult.  They’re concerned that you’ve been too free and easy with your funding or possibly your labour-intensive attitude.  These problems are partly due to the way in which Jupiter is at right angles to Mercury.  It means that every time you are given a little bit of encouragement you let it go to your head.  Also you find it difficult to think in terms of making slow and steady progress because under the influence of Jupiter you want everything to be excessive and exciting.  This is the sort of attitude that does seem to be unnerving peers or workmates who don’t want to see you get into difficulties.  Listen to what they have to say.

LEO   Jul 24 – Aug 23
Hard though it may be for you to predict just how much you might benefit from embarking on some kind of venture or project, you will soon need to decide whether or not to go ahead with it. Venus entering pragmatic, conscientious Virgo should help you to analyse the most important factors relevant to the work or the arrangement you have in mind.  Refuse to let anybody force you to make hurried decisions.  But do tell yourself you should soon be in a position to calculate just how worthwhile it might be to engage in this particular activity or area of work which up until now has left you feeling a little puzzled.  You will soon have access to most, if not all, of the answers you’ve had in the back of your mind.

VIRGO   Aug 24 – Sep 23
Two thing are likely to happen to you.  First, you’ll feel extra-sensitive regarding the way in which people talk to you or about you when business, property or finances come up for discussion.  It will seem to you as though these individuals are being unnecessarily critical of you.  In fact, all they are really doing is speaking from the heart.  But with the Moon moving into your sign over the weekend it will be all too easy for you to become defensive.  This move being made by the Moon also means that your instincts will become pretty sharp with regard to the best way in which to pull off a major deal.  So trust your sixth sense but refuse to over-interpret or double-think comments which really aren’t aimed at you as a form of judgment.

LIBRA   Sep 24 – Oct 23
While the Solar Eclipse that occurs at the end of the week is emphasising your reputation or status you also have Jupiter the planet of excess and exaggeration impacting you in quite a big way as it changes direction and begins to move forwards again through the cosmos and through your chart.  While Jupiter has been retrograde for the past three months or so it might sometimes have been hard for you to keep things in perspective.  Any little flurry in terms of finances might have become high drama.  And at the same time a relatively minor ray of hope could have been seen as the cause for huge celebrations.  Just be glad that Jupiter is now encouraging you to remain hopeful and optimistic while at the same time keeping your feet on the ground.

SCORPIO   Oct 24 – Nov 22
Perhaps it has felt rather strange to you recently that you’ve not found it easy to visualise yourself embarking on a journey or making some sort of change that could benefit you enormously in terms of your work, training, qualifications or experience.  We have to remember here that, in common with a lot of other people, you may have put a higher than usual value on certainty, consistency and security.  But it’s interesting that with the Solar Eclipse occurring this week you might well start to reflect on one or two opportunities you’ve let slip through your fingers.  While you mustn’t accuse yourself of having been weak, unadventurous or namby-pamby, it probably is time for you to become a little bit more robust about breaking down barriers and exploring unfamiliar territory.

SAGITTARIUS   Nov 23 – Dec 21
Although it’s possible that the Solar Eclipse will stir things up in terms of a partnership or joint financial matter, you’ll be aware of a need to remain placid and extremely grounded. It’s fortunate therefore that Venus makes its way into Virgo this week because it will be bringing logic and rational into the section of your chart that governs your image, reputation and the way you are perceived in the wider world.  So while you’re right to feel excited about a deal being brokered fairly close by, you’ll need to be the one who reminds everybody else that things must be done in a sound, sane and sensible way.  Does that mean you’ll make everything seem dull and boring?  Not a bit of it.  You’ll simply be doing your best to avoid calamity.

CAPRICORN   Dec 22 – Jan 20
A small group of people will want to make a contribution to a team activity or joint project which you had imagined would be restricted to merely two or three of you.  These other individuals will soon be letting you know that they’re keen to be part of whatever you’re doing.  And they’ll become quite boisterous and over-enthusiastic.  A run-in between Jupiter and Mercury suggests they’ll feel it’s their place to make a huge song and dance while you don’t seem keen to go along with everything they say and suggest.  Your challenge will be to let these people see they’ll have to take a different approach.  Remind them that your way of working is dedicated and conscientious and you won’t want a lot of hullabaloo going on around you if you include them.

AQUARIUS   Jan 21 – Feb 19
What a relief it will be to you to find that a great deal of the noise – and the hive of activity that has surrounded some aspect of your work – is now under control.  The changes are being made as a result of the mighty planet Jupiter at the highest point of your chart coming to a halt as it were and beginning to more forwards again after having been retrograde or travelling backwards for three months or so.  Perhaps this helps explain why the least little thing has, on occasions, caused uproar.  Or moves that were meant to be simple and straightforward have become enormously complex and disruptive.  Start to look at areas of work or responsibility as more stable and consistent than they have been for quite some time.

PISCES   Feb 20 – Mar 20
Inspired though you may be at the thought of challenges or responsibilities that others haven’t been able to manage, you mustn’t over-promise or take on far too much.  You are being impacted by Mercury squaring up to Jupiter and bringing out that defiant bit in you that likes to do things in your own way at your own pace.  If you were to stop and think about it for a few minutes you might have to admit that you’re almost certainly over-committing yourself and there is a risk that you’ll end up achieving a lot less than you first hoped.  Wouldn’t it be better to lower your sights at this stage and give a sensible account of what you should be able to provide for those who expect something from you?