May 13 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.

2022 May 13

The Milky Way’s Black Hole

Image Credit: X-ray – NASA/CXC/SAO, IR – NASA/HST/STScI; Inset: Radio – Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration

Explanation: There’s a black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Stars are observed to orbit a very massive and compact object there known as Sgr A* (say “sadge-ay-star”). But this just released radio image (inset) from planet Earth’s Event Horizon Telescope is the first direct evidence of the Milky Way’s central black hole. As predicted by Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, the four million solar mass black hole’s strong gravity is bending light and creating a shadow-like dark central region surrounded by a bright ring-like structure. Supporting observations made by space-based telescopes and ground-based observatories provide a wider view of the galactic center’s dynamic environment and an important context for the Event Horizon Telescope’s black hole image. The main panel image shows the X-ray data from Chandra and infrared data from Hubble. While the main panel is about 7-light years across, the Event Horizon Telescope inset image itself spans a mere 10 light-minutes at the center of our galaxy, some 27,000 light-years away.

Black hole at the center of our Galaxy imaged for the first time

The second-ever direct image of a black hole — Sagittarius A*, at the centre of the Milky Way.Credit: Event Horizon Telescope collaboration

The Event Horizon Telescope network has captured the second-ever direct image of a black hole — called Sagittarius A* — at the center of the Milky Way.

Radio astronomers have imaged the super massive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. It is only the second-ever direct image of a black hole, after the same team unveiled a historic picture of a more distant black hole in 2019.

The long-awaited results, presented today by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration, show an image reminiscent of the earlier one, with a ring of radiation surrounding a darker disk of precisely the size that was predicted from indirect observations and from Albert Einstein’s theory of gravity.

“Today, right this moment, we have direct evidence that this object is a black hole,” said astrophysicist Sara Issaoun of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at a press conference in Garching, Germany.

“We’ve been working on this for so long, every once and a while you have to pinch yourself and remember that this is the black hole at the centre of our Universe,” said computational-imaging researcher and former EHT team member Katie Bouman at a press conference in Washington, DC. “I mean, what’s more cool than seeing the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way?”

Black-hole observations …

Click here to read the rest of this article about the Milk Way’s Black Hole

A Laugh for Today

Wishing you an unfreaky Friday the thirteenth!

May 12, 2022 Daily Horoscopes Digest

Click here for Georgia Nicols daily horoscopes

Moon Alert

After 2:40 AM EDT today, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Libra.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Today the Moon is in a sign that is opposite from your sign, which means you have to cooperate with others. You have to be prepared to go more than halfway when dealing with them. This could trigger an interesting conversation with a sibling or neighbour. Stay open.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Today you might have to put your personal considerations second to those of someone else. Or perhaps, you have to cooperate with a certain situation, especially at work? Hey, you’re not being a martyr. This is simply how your day is rolling. No biggie.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Grab every chance to enjoy a social outing or an entertaining distraction because this will please you today. It could involve activities with children, the arts, the entertainment world or something to do with sports. It might also involve an old acquaintance.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This has been a popular time for you, which means at times, you have been you have been all things to all people. This can be exhausting! That’s why today might be your perfect chance to take a breather and hide at home. Find a private cubbyhole where you can replenish yourself.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Today you have a strong need to express yourself. You want to be heard because you have something important to say. You don’t want to be caught up in superficial conversations that you feel are a waste of time. You want a real exchange with someone.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Because the Moon is sitting in your House of Earnings, you will emotionally identify with your possessions and your wealth today. This is why you might have a strong attachment for something. (“My precious!”) Some of you might be put in a position where you feel you have to defend yourself.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Today and tomorrow the Moon is in your sign. This happens every month for about two days, and when it occurs, it gives you a slight advantage over all the other signs. However, it can also make you more emotional than usual. Be aware of this.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

It’s quite alright if you want to withdraw and keep your feelings to yourself today, especially if you feel a tad insecure. (We’ve all been there.) Very likely, you don’t feel like socializing. Hey, relax. On Saturday, you’ll be out there flying your colours!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

A heart-to-heart conversation with a female might be important today. This could be because you want to share some personal information or vice versa, someone wants to share their thoughts with you. This might be why you feel more protective of others. It’s all good.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

It’s curious; both today and tomorrow, personal details about your private life might be a bit public. For some reason, people are talking about you. Are you aware of this? (If you are aware of this, you might take control of the narrative.)

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

In an effort to broaden your horizons today (or do something different), you might encounter someone who is unusual? Perhaps they have a different background from yours? This could be learning opportunity for you. Meanwhile this is a good day to make travel plans.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

This is an excellent day to catch up on old business from the past, especially items related to wills, estates, shared property, insurance issues, taxes, debt – all that sort of thing. It can make you cringe, but hey, it’s not going to go away by itself, is it?

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress Emily VanCamp (1986) shares your birthday today. You are friendly, caring and personable. People like you. You are also determined and work hard to attain your goals. Nevertheless, you like pleasure and a comfortable life. This year you will attain greater personal freedom as various changes occur. Stay light on your feet so that you are flexible and ready to act.

May 12 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.

2022 May 12

Young Stars of NGC 346

Image Credit: NASA, ESA – acknowledgement: Antonella Nota (ESA/STScI) et al.,

Explanation: The massive stars of NGC 346 are short lived, but very energetic. The star cluster is embedded in the largest star forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud, some 210,000 light-years distant. Their winds and radiation sweep out an interstellar cavern in the gas and dust cloud about 200 light-years across, triggering star formation and sculpting the region’s dense inner edge. Cataloged as N66, the star forming region also appears to contain a large population of infant stars. A mere 3 to 5 million years old and not yet burning hydrogen in their cores, the infant stars are strewn about the embedded star cluster. In this false-color Hubble Space Telescope image, visible and near-infrared light are seen as blue and green, while light from atomic hydrogen emission is red.

May 12 Today in History

Today’s Important Historical Events

1789 William Wilberforce makes his first major speech on abolition in the UK House of Commons, reasoning the slave trade morally reprehensible and an issue of natural justice

1940 Nazi blitzkrieg and conquest of France begins with the crossing of the Muese River

1943 Axis forces in North Africa surrender

2002 Former US President Jimmy Carter arrives in Cuba for a five-day visit with Fidel Castro becoming first President of the United States, in or out of office, to visit the island since Castro’s 1959 revolution.

2008 Wenchuan earthquake, measuring 7.8 in magnitude occurs in Sichuan, China, killing over 87,000, injuring 374,643 and leaving homeless between 4.8 million and 11 million people

Today’s Historical Events

254 Stephan I succeeds Lucius I as Catholic Pope

919 Duke Henry of Saxony becomes King Henry I of Oostfrankischreich

1057 The Ostromir Gospel, now the oldest surviving Russian manuscript is recorded completed by its scribe Deacon Grigory [1]

1082 Battle at Mailberg: Vratislav II of Bohemia beats Leopold II of Austr

1215 English barons serve ultimatum on King John which eventually leads to the creation and signing of the Magna Carta

1294 Construction of Santa Croce begins in Florence, the largest Franciscan church in the world (consecrated 1442)

1328 Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV and assembly of priests select Pietro Rainalducc as anti-Pope Nicolas V; consecrated in Rome by the Bishop of Venice

1459 Jodhpur, Sun City, founded by Rao Jodhpur in India

Today’s Historical Events in Film and TV

1953 KUHT TV channel 8 (PBS) in Houston, TX, begins broadcasting

1960 Elvis Presley appears on a Frank Sinatra television special; Elvis sings Sinatra’s 1957 Cy Coleman hit “Witchcraft”, and Frank performs Presley’s 1956 classic “Love Me Tender”

1963 Bob Dylan walks out of “The Ed Sullivan Show” over a dispute about his song choice

1967 20th Cannes Film Festival: “Blowup” directed by Michelangelo Antonioni wins the Grand Prix du Festival International du Film

1968 WSKG TV channel 46 (PBS) in Binghamton, NY, begins broadcasting

1970 KTVM TV channel 6 in Butte, MT (NBC/ABC) begins broadcasting

1977 Emmy 4th Daytime Award presentation: “Ryan’s Hope” and “Family Feud” win

1983 Julie Lynne Hayek, (California), crowned 32nd Miss USA

Today’s Historical Events in Music

1832 Gaetano Donizetti’s opera “L’elisir d’amore” premieres in Milan

1894 Ludwig Englander’s musical “Passing Show” premieres in NYC

1926 Dmitri Shostakovich‘s 1st Symphony premieres in Leningrad

1934 “Cocktails For Two” by Duke Ellington hits #1

1936 Ralph Vaughan Williams’ opera “Poisoned Kiss” premieres in London

1938 Arthur Honegger and Paul Claudel’s oratorio “Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher” (Joan of Arc at the Stake) premieres in Basel, Switzerland

1950 Darius Milhaud‘s opera “Bolivar” premieres in Paris

1958 “Nee Nee Na Na Na Na Nu Nu” by Dicky Doo & The Don’ts hits #40

Today’s Historical Events in Sports

1890 First official County Cricket Championship match begins; Yorkshire beats Gloucestershire by 8 wickets at Bristol; James Cranston scores first century (101) in the competition

1909 34th Preakness: Willie Doyle aboard Effendi wins in 1:39.8

1910 Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Charles “Chief” Bender no-hits Cleveland Naps, 4-0

1913 English runner Harry Green runs world record marathon 2:38:16.2 in the Polytechnic Marathon in London, England

1917 42nd Preakness: E Haynes aboard Kalitan wins in 1:54.4

1917 43rd Kentucky Derby: Charles Borel on Omar Khayyam wins in 2:04.6

1919 New York Yankees and Washington Senators play second straight extra inning tie, 4-4 in 15 innings at the Polo Grounds; 0-0 in 12 the previous day

1923 48th Preakness: Benny Marinelli aboard Vigil wins in 1:53.6

A Laugh for Today

Look for a reason to laugh today!

Giant sinkhole with a forest inside found in China

I found this article to be interesting and informative.

Species unknown to science could be hiding in this gaping hole. A team of Chinese scientists has discovered a giant new sinkhole with a forest at its bottom.

I found this on NewsBreak: Giant sinkhole with a forest inside found in China https://share.newsbreak.com/11zjnnrz

May 11, 2022 Daily Horoscopes Digest

Click here for Georgia Nicols daily horoscopes

Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today except during 9 PM to 11:40 PM PDT. The Moon is in Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

You’re focused on money and possessions. This is a good thing because although one doesn’t need to be obsessed about money and possessions, on the other hand, you cannot ignore this reality. Take stock. What are your assets? What do you own?

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Right now, the Sun is in your sign, which is a marvellous opportunity that comes once a year and lasts for four weeks. This boosts your energy and improves your luck. It’s the perfect time to go after what you want. Use this opportunity to your advantage!

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

If that little voice on your shoulder tells you to lie low and take things easy today – listen to it. You have been ambitious. You have also been friendly with others. Right now, you need to take a breather and pull your act together before you take it on the road.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

This is an excellent day to think about your long-term goals. Goals can be invaluable. They give you a clearer focus on what’s important. They make future decision-making easier. They give you better control over your future and how it unfolds. And they give you a sense of purpose.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You are still basking in the flattering light of the Sun at the top of your chart. Since this happens only once a year, make the most of this! Bosses, parents and VIPs are impressed with you even if you don’t do anything special. Use this!

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You want to get outta Dodge. You need a change of scenery! You want a chance to explore new places, meet new faces and learn new ideas. Therefore, shake things up a little! Go someplace you’ve never been before. Ideas?

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

You are private about your finances. Many are. (People will discuss their sex life before their salaries.) Stay in touch with important paperwork related to taxes, debt, insurance issues and shared property. Don’t put these papers in a neat pile and forget about them.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

This is a fortunate time because with the Sun opposite your sign, you have more objectivity to observe your closest relationships. (Close friends, spouses and partners.) This objectivity will allow you to see how to improve these relationships. Note: Focus on what you can do – not the other person.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You’re gung-ho to accomplish a lot because you have focus, motivation and the energy to follow through on your ideas. This is because the Sun is helping you to work hard now and to get better organized. Use this gift and act on it. What more could you want?

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Everything to do with the arts, playful times with children, social outings and sports events will appeal to you now. Quite often, you bury yourself in your work because you have a strong sense of responsibility. Today however, is an excellent time to play. Make plans with a friend.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Some of you are focused more than usual on a parent, perhaps taking care of them or being more involved in their life. Others are happy to cocoon at home today to hide or regenerate because it feels good. (Remember to include some fav snacks.)

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Errands, appointments, short trips plus reading and studying are some of the reasons you’re so busy! Just accept the fact that your pace has accelerated with these increased demands on your time. This is how things are rolling. Get cracking!

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actress, pianist, martial artist Jadyn Wong (1985) shares your birthday today. You are tenacious. Once you have made a decision, you stick with it. Furthermore, you will give it your all. You are also a loyal friend. This year is a time of hard work and construction – both literally in a physical sense, as well as internally, by creating structure in your inner world.

May 11 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.

2022 May 11

Astronomers think that in the future the “Cheshire Cat” group will become what is known as a fossil group, a gathering of galaxies that contains one giant elliptical galaxy and other much smaller, fainter ones. Today, researchers know each “eye” galaxy is the brightest member of its own group of galaxies and these two groups are racing toward one another at over 300,000 miles per hour. Data from Chandra (purple), which has been combined with optical data from Hubble, show hot gas that has been heated to millions of degrees, which is evidence that the galaxy groups are slamming into one another. Chandra’s X-ray data also reveal that the left “eye” of the Cheshire Cat group contains an actively feeding supermassive black hole at the center of the galaxy.

Gravity’s Grin

Image Credit: X-ray – NASA / CXC / J. Irwin et al. ; Optical – NASA/STScI

Explanation: Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, published over 100 years ago, predicted the phenomenon of gravitational lensing. And that’s what gives these distant galaxies such a whimsical appearance, seen through the looking glass of X-ray and optical image data from the Chandra and Hubble space telescopes. Nicknamed the Cheshire Cat galaxy group, the group’s two large elliptical galaxies are suggestively framed by arcs. The arcs are optical images of distant background galaxies lensed by the foreground group’s total distribution of gravitational mass. Of course, that gravitational mass is dominated by dark matter. The two large elliptical “eye” galaxies represent the brightest members of their own galaxy groups which are merging. Their relative collisional speed of nearly 1,350 kilometers/second heats gas to millions of degrees producing the X-ray glow shown in purple hues. Curiouser about galaxy group mergers? The Cheshire Cat group grins in the constellation Ursa Major, some 4.6 billion light-years away.