Stargazing - Happening's in the 'Verse

This is a discussion so we can notice happening's in the Cosmos.
There are beautiful and amazing things happening out there, I'll post items of interest here, but would like to hear your stargazing stories, see pictures and hear of cool spacy happenings you find out about.

I am huge fan of all things "Cosmic".
I'm sure it came from watching the Moon Landings when I was a kid.
My Dad gathered us around and we listened to those famous words from Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969....
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind".

From my point of view stargazing allows the contemplation of infinity.
Besides, I'd like to find those 'Cosmic Bakers' Jimmy talks about, cuz I have a feeling they're cookin' up some mighty good stuff.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by surfpirate on June 17, 2008 at 11:16am

I remember being very young and watching the Mercury an Gemini flights. Watching the flights and listening to Walter Cronkite's commentary. Then when the Apollo missions began, I was hooked. I was 10 years old in 1969 when the first moon landing took place.

Didn't Neil intend to say "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind", but he left out the "a"?

Permalink Reply by Dezdmona on June 17, 2008 at 11:18am

I don't know the answer to your question SP, that's interesting.
I'm still amazed watching the Shuttle take off...no doubt it comes from watching the Moon Shots in my youth.

Solstice Moon Illusion

On Wednesday night, June 18th, step outside at sunset and look around. You'll see a giant form rising in the east. At first glance it looks like the full Moon. It has craters and seas and the face of a man, but this "moon" is strangely inflated. It's huge!

You've just experienced the Moon Illusion.

Permalink Reply by Parrothead Island Bar & Grill on June 17, 2008 at 12:42pm

Yes SP he had intended to say it that way. I believe he talked about that not too long ago on a program on the History Channel.

Permalink Reply by Dezdmona on June 17, 2008 at 10:33pm

Per suggestion, I decided to add a weekly astrology post to this thread.
So, here's how the Stars are affecting your world this week:

Call Home!
06/16/08 - 06/22/08

Part of you is yearning to put on slippers and pad around the house, what with Venus entering Cancer on June 18, and the Sun following into the same sign on June 20. The other part of you is interested in reaching out and discussing the important issues of our times, what with the dynamic full Moon in Sagittarius on June 18. In the middle of this stay-in-the house versus go-out-and-explore conflict, Mercury turns direct on June 19 in talkative, information-packed Gemini, when no one will be at a loss for words. Is that good or bad? It depends on what you have to say!

June 18: Venus enters Cancer

Enough chatting! As Venus leaves talkative Gemini and enters emotional Cancer, it's time to cozy-up and focus on your loved ones. Cook your sweetheart's favorite meal or make reservations at a wonderful restaurant. Plan a fun family activity or put a love letter in your mate's briefcase. Most importantly, see if you can dip into your feelings and give your mind a rest. An open, loving heart brings rewards!

June 18: Full Moon in Sagittarius

A full Moon in the sign of the explorer brings restlessness, so get out of your comfort zone and out of the house! Naturally optimistic, Sag loves to discover anything new and different. Ordinarily, this would be a wonderful time to investigate the unknown, but with Pluto's recent re-entry into Sagittarius last week (which brings this powerful planet into a conjunction to this full Moon) you'll do well to pay attention to your immediate surroundings. Prepare for a lot of emotional discussions about favorite Sagittarian topics, such as ethics, religion and philosophies. Choose your words carefully!

June 19: Mercury turns direct

Ah, at last! Communication becomes less confusing and making decisions is no longer a battle. Ever since Mercury turned retrograde in its own sign Gemini on May 26, you've been spinning your wheels and going back over the same data and conversations. Now it's time to leave that hamster wheel behind and put everything you've learned into practice. Sign those contracts, send out your resume or pick up the phone! The time is ripe to communicate all of your great ideas!

June 20: Sun enters Cancer

Every year, the Summer Solstice is marked with the Sun's entrance into Cancer. This sensitive water sign's symbol is the Crab, an animal that carries its home with it wherever it goes. This is a fitting symbol for a sign that is not only concerned with family and home, but with themes of safety and security as well. Yet this sign is also all about compassion and nurturance, making this a wonderful time to remember the importance of family, hearth and home. Count your blessings!

Permalink Reply by Tiki Bar on June 18, 2008 at 9:45am

I'll be moonin' tonight!!

Baby come outside with me,
there's this moon you have to see...
Everlasting Moon!!

(Thanks for the Solstice Moon Illusion info... never knew that!)

Permalink Reply by BEG Andretti on June 18, 2008 at 7:02pm

I wonder if the cosmic bakers can make us some gooey cinnamon rolls like Cinnabon? yuuuummmmy!

I still wish on stars and talk to the man in the moon...that's pretty cosmic, isn't it? I've always been fascinated by space, much like I'm fascinated by the ocean. So much to learn, so much to explore. I did really hope we'd be living like the Jetsons by now though.

Permalink Reply by Dezdmona on June 20, 2008 at 8:51am

June 20 is earliest solstice since 1896

The June solstice falls today at 11:59 p.m. Universal Time (6:59 p.m. Central Time).

That’s time as measured at the prime meridian at Greenwich, England. And although it’s only one minute before midnight, it still places this year’s June solstice on today’s date, June 20. This is the first time since the year 1896 that the June solstice has occurred before June 21.

In the northern hemisphere, this is our summer solstice and longest day. If you live in the southern hemisphere, you know this is your winter solstice, with your lowest sun and shortest day.

2008 is a leap year. Without that extra day in February, today’s June solstice would have fallen tomorrow, on June 21. From this date forward, all leap years for the rest of the 21st century will feature June 20 solstices.

And that’s because the century year – 2000 – was also a leap year. 1900 wasn’t a leap year, and that single fact caused all leap years in the 20th century to have June 21st solstices. The next century year – 2100 – won’t be a leap year either. Four years later – at the leap year of 2104 – the June solstice will come on June 21st for the first leap year in over 100 years.

Many people have the impression that any calendar year exactly divisible by 4 is a 366-day leap year. Actually, this is only true for any year that is not a century year. Century years that are exactly divisible by 400 are leap years (1600, 2000, 2400). Otherwise, century years contain only 365 days (1700, 1800, 1900, 2100, 2200, 2300).

Permalink Reply by Phinzup911 on June 20, 2008 at 1:13pm

Very interesting info Dez! I didn't get to actually see the moonrise last night, but saw it shortly after it was up. Awesome! I love a full moon (no, not THAT kind :) LOL), although it doesn't bode well for those of us in EMS.

Permalink Reply by Dezdmona on June 24, 2008 at 12:47pm

Here's this week's astrology guide: :)

Opportunities in the Midst of Change
06/23/08 - 06/29/08

This week will be full of shifting energy, and in the middle of this are opportunities and people who will help you accomplish everything you set out to do. The Sun's sextile to serious Saturn on June 24 gets the ball rolling with plenty of assistance. Then unpredictable Uranus turns retrograde on June 26, so be extra flexible and make great use of this dynamic aspect!

June 24: Sun sextile Saturn

The Sun in compassionate Cancer forms a beautiful opportunity aspect with Saturn in efficient Virgo, indicating that you'll get the recognition you deserve for all your hard work! With the assistance of others, you'll have the chance to solidify your goals. Don't be shy about stepping into your authority -- you've earned it!

June 26: Uranus turns retrograde

When Uranus turns retrograde, it's smart to expect the unexpected. This planet is all about change, waking people up and moving them out of old routines. With this retrograde, you'll be going over some of the decisions you made since the beginning of spring. This is a time of surprising events, so don't expect things to go as planned. Instead, embrace changes as they occur and be flexible.

Permalink Reply by Dezdmona on July 18, 2008 at 12:58pm

Sorry I've lapsed a bit in my weekly astrology updates.
My son broke his foot just before July 4th, (he now sings really loud with Jimmy on Margaritaville during the line "I broke my leg & had to limp on back home" .

Anyway, I've been a bit distracted.

Although it's late for this week, here's this weeks outlook...'er, maybe since there's only a couple of days left, we should just see how it matched up to what actually happened.

Speak Up!
07/14/08 - 07/20/08

The communication planet Mercury is busy this week! First, Mercury sextiles Saturn on July 14. This is followed by a sextile to Mars on July 15, which brings opportunities to get your ideas out there. Then on July 19, everybody weighs in when Mercury opposes Jupiter. In between, a full Moon in ambitious Capricorn on July 18 brings much of what you have been working toward to a culmination.

July 14: Mercury sextile Saturn; July 15: Mercury sextile Mars

Do you have something to say? Now is the time to speak out as information-loaded Mercury forms a beneficial sextile to pragmatic Saturn and energetic Mars. Because Mars is still close to a conjunction with Saturn, Mercury gets to dialog with this hardworking duo. Take time to explain everything you say and you will make a lasting impression.

July 18: Full Moon in Capricorn

Every month, we have the chance to step back and assess the results of what we set in motion during the previous new Moon. Now, with the full Moon in ambitious Capricorn, your attention is brought to your worldly concerns and you have the opportunity to focus on the important areas of your life. Tomorrow's Mercury-Jupiter opposition makes its presence felt, encouraging you to speak your mind.

July 19: Mercury opposite Jupiter

Mercury in Cancer (family, home) and Jupiter in Capricorn (work, world) are in the perennial debate of home versus career. This is an important conversation about finding balance between the two. This is true for your own life, but this is also part of a bigger dialog that the whole world is having. If you -- and everyone -- can talk as well as listen, common ground is possible.

Permalink Reply by surfpirate on September 21, 2008 at 10:28am

Hey! What's happening in the 'Verse? We earthlings want to know or is this information only updated "once in a blue moon"? Get it? Sort of a cosmic joke (sorry).

Permalink Reply by surfpirate on December 1, 2008 at 3:49pm

Hellloooooooooooooooo?

What happened to our stargazer?