This picture is of AT-GCL-VLSS-CAP. That’s my mnemonic for the twelve constellations of the zodiac; slightly easier to memorize, I find, than “As time goes, cowboys loved viewing little stars, so cold and pretty.”
Tomorrow, Black Friday, is the kick-off of the Christmas shopping season. (The explanation of why it’s “black” is tortuous.) Here’s a suggestion: the Moon Hat.
It not only warms your brain but teaches it to understand the phases of the Moon. If you wear it at (for instance) new Moon, with the new Moon picture over your nose, it tells you where the Moon would be at all the other phases in its cycle, and when they will arrive. A piece of practical demonstration so solid and clear that it’s amazing no one had thought of it before.
It was thought of by Daniel Cummings, of Croton-on-Hudson. If it weren’t for Dan, there would be no Astronomical Calendar 2023, Map of the Starry Sky, or Zodiac Wavy Charts. He led me into getting them produced, and, if you’re one of the relatively few people who have become confused by the online ordering process, you will have noticed me referring you to Dan for help.
His Moon Hat is a hit, and he has thought of something further: Zodiac Hat, which will have similar educational impact, a wearable lesson in how the twelve zodiacal constellations follow each other around the sky – almost a key to the whole starry sphere. It’s trickier than the Moon phases: how best to print the constellations on the hat? My sphere diagram above was an attempt to help, but astronomical boundaries are hardly pictorial. Other ways might be the curvy boundaries such a you can find in old astronomical atlases and globes, or the depictions of figures in them; or formlines such as I use, connecting the stars that outline the Lion and Virgin and the rest.
Or drawings such as those I made for To Know the Stars.
Other strong images department
Zan, zendegî, âzâdî
“Woman, life, freedom!” – that has become the defiant slogan of the protest movement in Iran against the oppressive theocratic regime and the oppression especially of women.
And today there is an Avaaz appel against Iran’s first death sentences against five of the thousands of protesters.
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This weblog maintains its right to be about astronomy or anything under the sun.
ILLUSTRATIONS in these posts are made with precision but have to be inserted in another format. You may be able to enlarge them on your monitor. One way: right-click, and choose “View image” or “Open image in new tab”, then enlarge. Or choose “Copy image”, then put it on your desktop, then open it. On an iPad or phone, use the finger gesture that enlarges (spreading with two fingers, or tapping and dragging with three fingers). Other methods have been suggested, such as dragging the image to the desktop and opening it in other ways.
Sometimes I make improvements or corrections to a post after publishing it. If you click on the title, rather than on ‘Read more’, I think you are sure to see the latest version. Or you can click ‘Refresh’ to get the latest version.
I suppose that would be crabbiness.
In my experience, when talking to people about their sign under astrology, one characteristic that I’ve found consistently is that Ophiuchans are always unreasonable and maybe a little secretive. No matter how many times you describe to them where the Sun is on their birthdays, they keep insisting that they’re “Scorpio” ~ you can’t reason with them! Probably a combination stubbornness as well as having some kind of aversion to admitting to their true identity.
Back to astronomy: Not sure if Rick Scheithauer has seen Venus yet, but I just observed it in binoculars about 10 minutes before sunset from here in central Virginia, on Friday Nov 25. Maybe I’ll get a picture a little later.
People don’t want to live on the 13th flooror be assigmed to the 13th sign.
The term Black Friday originally comes from the 1869 stock market crash that was manipulated by speculators. It was co-opted by retailers in the 1980’s for holiday sales.
a simple note of thanks for the post and the blog, which add to my knowledge, and delight in finding that yes, humans can do more than just shout at one another across these skies of ours.
cheers!
a simple thanks for the post and a blog that adds to my knowledge and delight in human’s doing more than shouting at one another across these skies of ours. cheers!
Found this at @4evrblesd: Can be an outgoing social butterfly, but at times reserved, and shy. Has a love for children, and the elderly. Naturally creative with a high intuition. Very loyal, honest, trustworthy, caring, and generous. A great friend and lover. Doesn’t give their heart away easily, but when they do, love hard, and unconditionally till the end. Enjoys the company of others, but also likes their space. Shares personal information on a need to know basis with most people, and is very private. Sensitive, emotional, sentimental, and moody; hides it at times, so as not to appear so. Very easy to please. Appreciates the little things. Can go from happy to sad, and back to happy in minutes. Doesn’t like drama, or get upset easily. Very patient, but doesn’t take bullshit other. Great at business, and managing money. Remembers everything, and at times an over thinker. Likes to help others, and come up with solutions. Great conversationalist, and listener, who people often go to for advice. Will make sacrifices to please those they care about. Easily hurt, and disappointed if unappreciated or lied to. Family oriented, and protective of loved ones. Not afraid to take chances, can be unpredictable, and at times indecisive. When they know what they want, go for it, and don’t stop till they get it.
I thought there was supposed to be at least something bad about being a Cancer.
I studied astrology in my youth and that helped me memorize the zodiac (this was before I learned that the stars are too far away to have any meaningful impact on earthly matters, let alone personality traits.)
For example, March 4th was my cousin’s birthday. As a Pisces, with 2 fish swimming n opposite directions, he was supposed to have a hard time making decisions. Pisces people also had small feet. Supposedly cuz fish don’t have feet.
Another example: My dad’s sign was “Leo” and the traits of “Leos” seemed to fit my father. Leos supposedly like to sleep a lot. They are usually calm but could be deadly when riled up. On the other hand, they purr like kittens when complimented.
Et cetera.
Seems that horoscopes are PERCEIVED to be accurate because they touch on characteristics common to all people. Any of the 12 horoscopes in the daily newspaper can apply to your life. Everyone at times has difficulty making decisions even if you aren’t a “Pisces”, Everybody likes a sincere compliment, not just those born in July and August.
Long story short, my misguided study of astrology made my study of astronomy easier.
I once thought of reading about astrology in order to make a satirical “Astrological Calendar” – which could even be a best-seller with people who didn’t twig that it was a joke – but didn’t get far, because astrological statements are hard to improve on. Being Cancer (July 4)m Id was told that I’m euphemistically called a Moonchild. What’s my horoscopic character, Rick? As you say, whatever it is, it probably fits.
Black Friday is “black” because it is the first day holiday sales start helping retailers recover from the months of “in the red” business. They finally begin making profit.