Archive for May 2009
New book on Jupiter-Uranus
Astrologer Anne Whitaker has published a new book on the Great Jupiter/Uranus Conjunction of 1997 so check it out especially since we’re in the final days of the 1997 cycle.
Yes, we have another cycle of the ‘light bulb pair’ beginning in 2010…they conjoin three times:
1. June 8 at Aries Point (00Ari18);
2. Sept 19 (28Pis43);
3. Jan 4, 2011 (27Pis02.)
So Anne’s insights will be most helpful to get us ready for the ongoing and expansive Jupiter/Uranus duo which may bring scientific or even financial breakthroughs as its new cycle proceeds!
2009′s First Noctilucent Clouds!
Space Weather News for May 30, 2009
FIRST NLCs of 2009: The first noctilucent clouds (NLCs) of 2009 have been sighted over northern Europe. Last night, May 29, photographers recorded wispy electric-blue tendrils spreading across the twilight skies of Denmark, Northern Ireland and Scotland. This follows a similar display over Russia on May 27. These sightings signal the beginning of the 2009 NLC season, which is expected to last until late July. Early-season NLCs are usually feeble, but these were fairly bright and vibrant, suggesting that even better displays are in the offing.
Check today’s edition of Space Weather News for photos.
Noctilucent clouds are an unsolved puzzle. They float 83 km above Earth’s surface at the edge of space itself. People first noticed NLCs in the late 19th century. In those days you had to travel to high northern latitudes to see them. In recent years, however, the clouds have been sighted in the United States as far south as Oregon, Washington and even Colorado. Climate change, space dust, and rocket launches have all been cited as possible explanations for the phenomenon. Interestingly, low solar activity seems to promote the clouds, so the ongoing deep solar minimum could set the stage for a good season in 2009.
The best time to look for NLCs is just after sunset or just before sunrise when the sun is between 6 and 16 degrees below the horizon. That’s when the geometry is just right for sunlight to illuminate the tiny ice crystals that make up the clouds. Observing tips and sample photos may be found in the 2008 Noctilucent Cloud Gallery.
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Zeeks! I just noticed that this is my 999th post on this blog and there have been 247,106 page views…thanks, All!
North Korea’s unavoidable logic
Actually I remember hearing in 2003 of North Korea’s conclusions after the invasion of Iraq:
After Iraq, It’s Not Just North Korea that Wants a Bomb
By Seumas Milne
In April 2003, North Korea drew the obvious conclusion from the US and British aggression against Iraq. The war showed, it commented at the time, “that to allow disarmament through inspections does not help avert a war, but rather sparks it”. Only “a tremendous military deterrent force”, it stated with unavoidable logic, could prevent attacks on states the world’s only superpower was determined to bring to heel.
MIA: the moral conscience of America
Now that the question of rape has entered the debate on releasing or not releasing more Abu Ghraib photos, perhaps it’s beyond time to ask as Paul Craig Roberts does here: Does America Have a Moral Conscience?
Personally, it’s beyond me how the ACLU or anyone else can think it’s a grand idea to enflame internet channels further with such images of shame (and the shame is on All Sides.)
Releasing more photos seems beyond daft to me, and it’s a waste of time (or a political diversionary tactic perhaps designed to harm a Democratic administration – or vice versa!) to debate it or to wring hands over why the president first said, Yes, now he says No.
Yes, the condition and the ideals of America have certainly devolved in many ways in recent decades, and you may find these brief quotes from Montesquieu, Mencken, and Jefferson worthy of your consideration.
TARP, crisis, and the Solar Eclipse of 7/22/09
Guess I’m still in process of developing the subject range of my latest blog so this post is merely a heads-up on today’s entry concerning the world financial system, TARP funds growing wild, and the upcoming July 22, 2009 Solar Eclipse which may sing some tunes that no one wants to hear.
National Archives branch Atlanta, GA
For genealogical or historical research of the Southeastern US, did you know that there’s now a National Archives branch located near Atlanta, Georgia?
Then you’re up on me, because I didn’t. Which makes me wonder what else in this wide world I’ve yet to learn…
Anyway, I discovered the link when I was reviewing a post I blurbed recently on the May 21st testimony of Adrienne Thomas, acting director of the National Archives in DC…haven’t heard more about the massive security breach there which concerns records on a purloined (or ‘missing’) hard drive – including personal info – from the Clinton years.
Was Sandy Burger otherwise engaged?
Now if you follow the link you will also find that the post contains the video of Adam Lambert singing Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’ on American Idol so read below the screen for the National Archives mention.
It really is a Mad World, isn’t it?
Jupiter conjunct Neptune 3:09 pm edt 5/27/09
At the White House on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 3:09 pm edt, Jupiter and Neptune, the inflationary pair, will conjunct at 26AQ27 (with transiting Chiron and Pandora; plus, the US natal Moon from the ‘Sibly chart’…5:10 pm lmt, July 4, 1776, Philadelphia, PA.)
On Tuesday, May 26 was published a tidbit of news concerning China warning the US about printing ‘funny money’ – that’s my silly, over-used phrase for worthless money, but it isn’t funny what global ‘leaders’ are doing to the world financial system.
And I don’t enjoy typing aloud such things, but July 22′s Solar Eclipse is looming large with its ‘failed systems and methods’ vibe. I’m fairly well miffed about it, in fact, and entering into a snit any moment now.
You know, Astrology is so cool, it will be interesting to see what’s going on around 3:09 pm edt on Wednesday and if it is in some way connected with the principles of Jupiter and Neptune.
