Just Passing Through

Yesterday morning the Moon passed by Jupiter on its monthly trek around earth. This scene will repeat itself over the next several months as we head into fall and on towards winter. Before long, Venus will rise in the morning sky as well and provide the opportunity to see the three brightest planetary objects inContinue reading “Just Passing Through”

Seeing Ghosts

Nope, it isn’t about spectral phenomena, it’s about the outer shell of a cicaida that was shed as the insect grew. It left its ghost shell to “haunt” our shed in the back yard. Rather than “ectoplasm” it consists of a polysaccharide known as chitin, and doesn’t really scare anyone, not even on Halloween. However,Continue reading “Seeing Ghosts”

Happy Lughnasadh

It’s August 1, a “cross quarter” day which is halfway between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. Ancient Celts referred to it as Lughnasadh and it marked the beginning of harvest season as summer starts to head towards autumn. Days are getting slightly shorter and soon the change will be quite noticeable as weContinue reading “Happy Lughnasadh”