The lunar calendar for Chinese people has always been and remains basic. Therefore, 3000 years ago and now, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated when the moon in the sky is the brightest and most beautiful — on the full moon of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. In 2022, this time will fall on September 10-12, according to the Gregorian calendar.
Singapore has become a second home for many people from China, so this holiday is a momentous day here. During these holidays, Singaporeans send unique gifts to family members, friends, business partners, and others to whom they want to express gratitude.


Do the moon cycle and periods sync up? Should you try to track and align your periods with the moon? You can, but following a moon cycle tracking chart isn’t just linked to when you get your period–it can also help explain the natural ebbs and flows of your energy throughout your cycle.
What is the moon cycle and why should I care about the lunar calendar?
So, sometimes people kind of roll their eyes when they hear about following a lunar calendar or the moon cycle and periods or energy. It sounds really out there, but there’s actually science and history behind it. First, let’s consider that menstruation stems from Latin and Greek words for “moon” and “month.”
Now, think about the natural flow of tides we see in bodies of water. Tides are energy, and the reason we have a tidal force is because of the sun, but mostly, the moon’s gravitational pull on the earth. We are also affected by gravity, and women’s bodies are up to 60% water. So, it makes sense that our bodies’ fluids also follow the moon’s gravitational force. From a biological standpoint, men’s bodies function on a single 24-hour rotation of the moon on its axis. Women’s bodies operate on the 28-day lunar cycle. Twenty-eight days equals the amount of time it takes the moon to circle the earth and it’s also about the length of a typical menstrual cycle.
Fascinating, but how does the moon’s phases affect our energy? During each phase of the lunar cycle, the gravitational pull of the moon changes. As a result, the energy of tidal forces change in predictable ways. So does the energy in our bodies. This makes the moon cycle really helpful in understanding and anticipating when we, ideally, need to dial it down or when we’ll have the energy to accomplish more.
How do the moon cycle and periods align? What can I expect with my energy levels during my cycle?
The moon cycle and periods can align because of the gravitational forces in play by the moon and the sun. Like some phases of the lunar calendar are less energetic or more energetic, so are we and so are the things happening in our bodies.
The new or dark moon
If your menstrual cycle is fully aligned with the moon, you’ll get your period during the dark moon or the new moon. This is called the white moon cycle. Consider how you feel on your period. Oh, I’m tired. I need to rest. I’m not digesting things as well. I don’t feel like doing anything. This isn’t the best time of the month to organize, plan, or kick off a project. Trying to do these things works against the natural energy flow of our cycles. During this particular phase of the moon, it feels best to our bodies to turn focus inward and rest and reflect.
From the new moon, your energy increases as you approach a waxing moon (which is halfway to full). During this time, your estrogen levels rise and your energy and motivation goes up too. This phase is ideal for turning your reflection and evaluation from the new moon into ideas. You start to feel like making plans again and taking action.
The full moon phase of the lunar cycle is said to be the most powerful. When you get to the top of the full moon, your energy is the highest. The high energy you have in this phase is associated with ovulation and a rise in estrogen and progesterone. Now’s the ideal time for creativeness, to make connections, and to be visible.
During the waning moon, your body is getting ready to complete its cycle and you’re close to getting your period (which is day one of your cycle). In your life, this time is so good for wrapping things up: tying up loose ends or closing out projects. If you’re not going to complete anything during this time of low energy, work with your cycle to postpone it during your period and hold off until your energy starts to build with the waxing moon.
How come the moon cycle and my periods don’t sync up?
It’s really easy to get out of rhythm with the moon and off balance in general. If your stress is up, you’re not eating well, you’re cramping or having PMS, have taken hormonal birth control, or if you’re having any life issues at all–which we all do–then your menstrual cycle might be irregular or shift out of alignment. Sometimes, trauma–especially types of reproductive trauma–can make us disassociate from what we’re feeling in our body during our cycle and that can cause us to be out of alignment.
Will it hurt you to not follow the moon’s calendar? No. But it means your energy will be off compared to your cycle, and that can be difficult. Once you start tracking your cycles on the calendar, it’s really interesting to see the energy patterns that show up after a few months. You begin to understand why you’re struggling in some situations. Like it’s a full moon and my kids have a crazy amount of energy and I can’t deal. But instead of ovulating during the full moon and being at the highest energy point of your cycle, you realize you are at your lowest point of energy during the month because you have your period. Of course it’s going to feel more difficult to parent in that instance.
What are some of the best charts for tracking the lunar cycle?
There are a lot of different options for tracking the moon cycle (here’s mine) and your period–and with certain trackers, you can record all types of things in relation to the moon: how you feel about work, emotions, energy, libido, or how you physically feel. Once you see your patterns, you can work with your body to re-align with the energy of the moon.
How do I get more aligned with the moon?
Some simple things you can do to realign your connection are watching what you ingest (toxins, xenoestrogens, news consumption), womb meditation, vaginal herb steaming, Reiki, yoni eggs, and eating seasonally. What’s really helpful is to see where you are. Depending when you get your cycle and what it’s like, it can indicate a dosha imbalance. (Doshas are the three forces that make up your particular constitution.)
If you are irregular and it’s scanty flow, you might have a vata imbalance. Being really regular and getting migraines usually is a pitta imbalance. And if your kapha is imbalanced, you might have really thick blood flow, depression, sore breasts, and a lot of bloating. Once we understand which imbalance you are dealing with, we can work from there to pull it back into balance.


Through August 22nd: The Perseids Meteor Shower makes it appearance every year and this year is expected to be a very good showing with no moon in the sky. Evening Sky Tours is highlighting the Perseids meteor shower through August 22 on tours. The peak activity will occur August 11-13, with up to 80 meteors per hour.
Evening Sky Tours Features Meteor Shower Parties
By Sedona, Arizona, Events, News and Press|2010-08-21T22:19:24-07:00August 21st, 2010|Top Stories|Comments Off on Evening Sky Tours Features Meteor Shower Parties


Jantar Mantar, located in Jaipur, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the biggest observatories in the world. The monument was far ahead of its time at the time of its construction and the techniques involved in it. Covering an area of almost 18,700 sq. km, the Jantar Mantar combines the elements of science, art and religion. It stands as a symbol of the princely era in Jaipur and royal heritage in Pink City. The unique structure of the monument attracts both lovers of astronomy as well as those attracted with its significance and heritage.
Jantar Mantar was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734, with the name itself derived from Sanskrit words meaning “Yantra” and “Mantra”. Yantra means instruments and Mantra means formula.
The term Yantra was replaced with Jantar. Inside the monument there are various kinds of astrological and architectural instruments which arouse the interests of astronomers and historians all over the world.
Maharaja Jai Singh II, the founder of Jantar Mantar, had a passion for astrology and other subjects including religion, philosophy and architecture.
He was well-acquainted with several mathematical concepts including Ptolemy’s syntaxes, Aryabhatta’s master works and Euclid’s elements.
The Jantar Mantar observatory is renovated often and houses various instruments that provide time measurement, sun declination, constellation positions, azimuth and other astrological phenomena.
Jantar Mantar also consists of 19 geometric devices that measure time, observe orbits around the sun and track constellations.
The most famous structures in Jantar Mantar include Hindu Chhatri, Jai Prakash Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Rasivalaya, Chakra Yantra, Rama Yantra, Yantra Raj, Nadivalaya and Digamsa, besides other astronomical devices that help in the analysis of the universe.
If you and you loved ones want to explore this brilliant and historic piece of architecture, then Maharajas Express is the way to go about it. There are a number of itineraries which let you visit the Jantar Mantar, including Treasures of India, Gems of India Tour, The Indian Panorama, The Indian Splendour and The Heritage of India.


On April 8, 2024, join Pioneer Works and the Green-Wood Cemetery to slow down, look up, and celebrate our solar system at a rare astronomical event, a solar eclipse – the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044. New York City will experience 90 percent totality and, weather permitting, we’ll get to observe this cosmic occurrence together.
Participants will gather on the grounds of Brooklyn’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery for a unique afternoon of eclipse viewing. Viewers will gather in Green-Wood’s Meadow and at the Historic Chapel, where you can enjoy the celestial spectacle through special-edition glasses and telescopes equipped with solar filters. Enhancing the experience, amateur astronomers will be on hand to operate telescopes and answer questions relating to the eclipse. The celebration will include a diverse array of activities: self-guided explorations and artist-led activations, including an intimate soil soundscape installation, a community mural with the Red Hook Art Project, a listening session pop-up with Sacred Bones Records, and a gong sound bath by Samer Ghadry alongside NASA’s livestream of the eclipse from the path of totality.
Food and soft drinks available for purchase. Vendors include Julian Cavin and La Newyorkina. Drinks bar by Green-Wood (cash and credit card accepted). Enjoy vendor offerings or bring your own snacks. Note: This is an alcohol-free event for a family-friendly atmosphere.
The Cemetery is the ideal setting for eclipse watchers. It is the final resting place of some noteworthy astronomy enthusiasts: writer and astronomer Richard Anthony Proctor – one of the great popularizers of astronomy of the Victorian era who produced one of the first maps of Mars; inventor, author, scientist and philosopher Dr. John William Draper – the first to produce a successful daguerreotype of the moon; and his son, physician and amateur astronomer Henry Draper – the first to photograph a spectrum of a star and of a nebula.
Special-edition eclipse viewing glasses will be available for free on a first come basis. You are welcome to bring a blanket or something comfortable to sit on. This event is free with RSVP. There is no on-site parking.
Note: Please use caution when viewing the solar eclipse. Do not look directly at the sun (not even during an eclipse), unless you are wearing the proper eye protection for viewing.
This program is supported by the Simons Foundation and its ‘In the Path of Totality’ initiative.


The phrase “dark side of the moon” often conjures up images of mystery and the unknown. But what’s really lurking in the shadows of our lunar neighbor? I’ve always been fascinated by what we can’t see, and it turns out, there’s quite a bit to uncover about this hidden hemisphere.
Recent reports from The New York Times have shed light on the dark side of the moon, revealing new insights and challenging what we thought we knew. From groundbreaking lunar missions to the latest scientific discoveries, I’m here to dive into the depths of the moon’s most secretive side.
Unveiling the Dark Side of the Moon
In my journey to uncover what lies on the dark side of the moon, I’ve realized that it’s a realm of the lunar surface that’s perpetually shrouded in mystery. Unlike the familiar near side that graces our night skies, the far side remains unseen from Earth, inviting both fascination and speculation among scientists and laypeople alike.
Recent revelations have significantly deepened our understanding of this enigmatic lunar region. For instance, I’ve come across a captivating report from The New York Times that details much of what we’ve discovered through cutting-edge space exploration. This report consolidates findings from various lunar missions that have contributed to an expanded astronomical knowledge base.
What’s clear is that the terrain on the far side of the moon is vastly different from what we’re accustomed to. It’s riddled with craters and has a thicker crust than the near side. Additionally, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has sent back images that give us a clearer glimpse of the lunar surface features not seen with the naked eye.
As I delve into the complexities of lunar geology, I’m intrigued by the fact that the moon’s far side has a higher concentration of anorthosites—rocks that are rich in calcium and aluminum. These elements offer clues about the moon’s thermal history and can help explain the differences between the two hemispheres.
Moreover, the moon’s dark side is a quieter place, shielded from radio emissions from Earth, making it an ideal spot for radio astronomy. Researchers are particularly excited about the potential for low-frequency radio observations which could open a new window into the universe. Such missions could be pivotal, and the Chang’e 4 mission by China shows it’s not just theoretical; it’s happening right now.
One detail from The New York Times report that sticks with me is this: the dark side of the moon isn’t dark at all. Indeed, it receives just as much sunlight as the side we see; it’s just that we never see this hemisphere illuminated. This detail challenges the name itself and reminds us that sometimes, our labels for celestial bodies carry more myth than fact.
The Mysteries of the Lunar Hemisphere
Delving into the lunar hemisphere that remains largely hidden from our gaze has always evoked a certain allure for me, and with recent reports from esteemed publications such as The New York Times, my curiosity has only intensified. This side of the moon, often mistakenly dubbed the dark side, is shrouded in enigma, challenging researchers and sparking the imagination of the public.
The terrain on the far side is markedly different, characterized by a substantial proportion of anorthosites. These highland rocks are evidence of the moon’s tumultuous past and offer clues to the ancient processes that shaped our nearest celestial neighbor. This region’s unique geological makeup makes it a goldmine for scientists eager to unravel the moon’s secrets.
In stark contrast to the bustling radio waves that flood the earth, the far side of the moon offers a respite from the clamor—a sanctuary of silence. Consider the moon’s far side the universe’s natural radio quiet zone. Here, the conditions are perfect for low-frequency radio observations, which can provide unparalleled insights into the early universe.
China’s ongoing Chang’e 4 mission is a testament to the importance of these observations. This mission has not only triumphed in being the first to explore this uncharted territory but also emphasizes the potential for groundbreaking scientific discovery. The instruments aboard Chang’e 4 could give us eyes into phenomena that remain unseen and data that can answer longstanding questions.
Yet, it’s a misconception that this side of the moon never sees sunlight. In fact, both sides of the moon experience equal amounts of daylight. Learning how the dark side of the moon is just as illuminated as the side facing Earth but remains dark to us encapsulates the true essence of lunar mystery.
As we uncover more about the moon’s far side, we connect deeper with the cosmos. Understanding the lunar hemisphere goes beyond mere curiosity—it’s about expanding our horizons and grasping where we stand in the grand tapestry of space. Each discovery peels back a layer, inviting us to ponder what else lies beyond our current knowledge. With the Chang’e 4 mission paving the way, I’m eager to witness the next leap in lunar exploration.
Lunar Missions: Exploring the Uncharted
Ever since the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, I’ve been captivated by the vast expanse of space, but few regions pique collective curiosity quite like the dark side of the moon. Unlike the near side, which proudly displays its silver glow to Earth, the far side remains shrouded in mystery. It’s this allure that’s propelled nations to daringly send missions to uncover its secrets.
China’s Chang’e 4 lander, the first vehicle to softly land on the far side of the moon, marks a pivotal chapter in lunar exploration. The mission, which includes a rover named Yutu-2, provides unprecedented insights about the moon’s composition and geology. I’ve learned that data from these missions are critical for future endeavors, whether they’re scientific in nature or aiming for lunar colonization.
International collaboration is essential in expanding our lunar knowledge base. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a NASA endeavor, has been mapping the moon’s surface since 2009. It’s pushed the boundaries of our understanding and underscored the value of exploring the enigmatic far side. Bridging efforts from various countries, these missions could ultimately unravel the complex history of our celestial neighbor.
As I delve into reports from The New York Times on these missions, I’m fascinated to find how they’re not just feats of engineering and science but also stepping stones towards an interplanetary future. The terrain’s unique characteristics make it a hotbed for scientific discovery, perfect for studying the solar system’s evolution. To enhance my understanding of the Apollo missions’ historical significance, I typically turn to NASA’s official Apollo mission page, which provides in-depth information about those landmark expeditions.
The collaboration between countries and the advanced technologies developed for the moon’s far side investigation show that when it comes to space, collaboration overshadows competition. This cooperative spirit could be the key to unlocking the potential of not just the moon’s dark side but space exploration as a whole. It’s not just about planting a flag; it’s about planting the seeds of human curiosity and reaping the knowledge for generations to come.
Scientific Discoveries that Challenge Our Understanding
Amidst the backdrop of an ongoing race to unravel the secrets of the lunar surface, I’ve been captivated by recent scientific discoveries on the dark side of the moon that have flipped our understanding of this celestial body on its head. The Chang’e 4 mission has been particularly instrumental in shedding light on what was once a shadowy mystery.
The terrain on the far side is markedly different from the familiar face that greets us each night. Vast and ancient impact craters intermingle with mountainous regions, some soaring as high as the Himalayas on Earth. The New York Times reported on the distinct lack of maria, the dark basaltic plains visible from Earth, which has led scientists to hypothesize significant differences in crustal composition and thickness between the two hemispheres of the moon.
Further probing by lunar rovers revealed the presence of materials unusual in the rest of the lunar surface. Minerals such as olivine and low-calcium (ortho)pyroxene have been detected, which are typically found deeper beneath the moon’s surface. This suggests that the dark side has encountered violent impacts that have churned the moon’s innards to its surface, exposing what lies beneath.
Equally fascinating have been the results related to the moon’s thermal properties. Around-the-clock measurements have shown the nightside lunar surface to experience drastic drops in temperature, which may affect the composition and mechanical behavior of the lunar soil, a phenomenon known as regolith. This could have profound implications for potential human habitats and the longevity of equipment on lunar bases. The data paints a picture of a more dynamic moon than previously thought, one that experiences not just the trials of space but its own unique brand of lunar weathering.
These scientific strides aren’t a solo journey, though. Collaborative investigations, such as those facilitated by the International Space Exploration Coordination Group, emphasize the collective effort in lunar exploration. With a long list of questions yet to be answered, the exploration of the dark side thus continues – an odyssey not just to another world, but into the depths of our own origins.
The New York Times: Shedding Light on the Dark Side
Exploring the dark side of the moon, typically hidden from Earth’s view, has perplexed and intrigued scientists for decades. The New York Times, a trusted source of information, recently delved into this fascination with a comprehensive report on the area’s unique features and the scientific endeavors to understand it better. The Chang’e 4 mission, spearheaded by China, has been a linchpin in these efforts.
My research on these recent reports reveals a treasure trove of data. The surface of the moon’s far side is pockmarked with impact craters and littered with rocks that have tales to tell about the early solar system. Unlike Earth’s relatively young crust, the moon’s crust has remained largely unaltered for billions of years. Reading through the article, I’m struck by the references to unusual materials found on the dark side, which suggest it may have a different composition than the side facing Earth.
One of the most groundbreaking findings reported by The New York Times is the discovery of thermal properties that could have significant implications for future lunar exploration. The surface temperature on the dark side of the moon, which endures long nights that last approximately 14 Earth days, is cooler than initially expected. This fact, which came to light thanks to the data from the Chang’e 4 mission, adds yet another layer of complexity to the moon’s already enigmatic profile.
The article also outlines the types of instruments used to measure these thermal properties, and the results are helping scientists back on Earth understand lunar surface and subsurface temperatures with remarkable precision. This insight is not only fascinating but crucial in planning human and robotic missions to this region.
I found it particularly interesting to see the emphasis placed on the potential for scientific discovery on the dark side of the moon. With its distinct terrain and exposure to cosmic radiation, it serves as a natural laboratory for geological and astronomical studies. The ongoing quest to uncover the secrets of the dark side continues, and international collaboration remains key. The New York Times report harnesses the knowledge gleaned from these collaborative missions and serves as a window for us to peer at this distant, shadowed part of our natural satellite.
The dark side of the moon continues to captivate and challenge our understanding with its hidden secrets and potential. Through the lens of The New York Times and the pioneering Chang’e 4 mission, I’ve seen how exploration there isn’t just about the thrill of discovery—it’s about piecing together the cosmic puzzle of our solar system. It’s clear that the far side’s unique landscape is a treasure trove for scientists and that the collaborative efforts in space exploration are yielding extraordinary insights. I’m excited about what these endeavors might reveal and how they’ll shape our knowledge for generations to come. The dark side of the moon isn’t just a place—it’s a journey, and I’m eager to see where it leads us next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dark side of the moon?
The dark side of the moon refers to the hemisphere of the moon that is perpetually turned away from Earth, making it difficult for us to observe and study from our planet.
How is the Chang’e 4 mission contributing to our understanding of the moon?
China’s Chang’e 4 mission has made a historic landing on the far side of the moon, providing valuable data on its topography, mineral composition, and geologic structure.
Why is international collaboration important in space exploration?
International collaboration combines resources, expertise, and perspectives, which enhances the chances of success in space missions and shared understanding of scientific discoveries.
What makes the far side of the moon’s terrain unique for scientific study?
The far side’s terrain is pocked with more craters and less volcanic activity compared to the near side, offering a pristine environment for exploring lunar formation and the solar system’s history.
What recent scientific discoveries have been made on the dark side of the moon?
Recent findings on the dark side include identification of unusual materials like mantle rocks, which could shed light on the moon’s early history, and new insights into its thermal properties.
How does exploring the dark side of the moon benefit future generations?
Unveiling the dark side’s secrets helps us understand the moon’s development and the evolution of our celestial neighborhood, paving the way for future missions and potential settlement.


text and photos ©Ani
Williams June 2004
As published in the Four
The following CDs have songs
dedicated to Magdalena:
"Homage to Hathor"
"Medicine Song II"
Mistress of the Grail
"Then Zeus-born Aphrodite stepped forward and drew near,
Changed to the form and stature of a young unwedded maid,
Lest his eyes discern her godhead and the hero grow afraid,
Then Anchises saw and wondered so beautiful she seemed,
So tall she towered before him, so gay her garments gleamed.
For the robe that rippled round her shone like a fire ablaze,
Richly her twisted armlets, her earrings flashed their rays,
Round her soft throat fair chains of gold glanced fitfully,
Light from her soft breasts shimmered, like moonlight, strange to see.
Then passion gripped Anchisis. Swift was his greeting given
Hail to Thee, Queen, who'er Thou art among the Blessed in Heaven!
Homer, Hymn to Venus
The Venus Transit
Second to the Sun and the Moon, Venus is the brightest object in the sky. Because of some similar physical aspects, Venus is considered Earth's sister and she is often called the planet of fortune, as she comes bearing gifts. On June 8 of 2004, we will witness a once in a lifetime astronomical event called a Venus transit, in which Venus will pass directly in front of the sun. It is very rare for Venus to pass directly across the face of the sun, as it usually passes either above or below it from our line of sight. This is because Venus' orbit is on a slight angle, as compared with the orbit of the Earth around the Sun.
This eclipse' will last 6-7 hours and will be visible as a dark spot on the sun in Asia, Africa (except the western portion), all of Europe (except the tip of the Iberian Peninsula), and Greenland. The very end of the eclipse will be visible as the sun rises in some locations in Africa and northeastern North America. Even though it won't be visible to most of us living in the Americas, this transit will be impacting the entire globe by initiating an important new cycle.
This turning point is being termed variously, the Exaltation of the Goddess, the beginning of the Golden Age and Gaia Harmonica. This illuminating of Venus by the Sun can be interpreted as the return of the principles of beauty, love and the sacred feminine. According to Carl-John Calleman Ph.D, the extraordinary global gatherings during the 1987 Harmonic Convergence and the 2003 Harmonic Concordance were just preparing for this time of the Venus transit!
Basically, a Venus transit happens approximately every 125 years, occurring in pairs, separated by 8 years. The last transit was in 1874/1882, and the previous transit pairs occurred in 1761/1769, 1631/1639 and 1518/1526. The partner to our current transit will occur on June 6, 2012, the same year which marks the ending of a 26,000 year cycle and the beginning of a new great time cycle, according to the Mayan calendar system. And in certain eastern Vedic calendar traditions, this Venus transit signals the actual beginning of a Golden Age, with the second Venus transit in 2012 completing the transition into this wondrous age of enlightenment.
The Venus Transit of June 8, 2004 is clearly the astronomical event of the year. But it may be much, much more than that. The Venus Transit has always preceded great breakthroughs in human consciousness and played a very significant role in the Mayan Calendar.
Venus Transit of June 8, 2004: A Breakthrough of Intuitive Awareness
by Carl-John Calleman and Anders Bjarstedt
Dr. Calleman feels that this Venus transit initiates a time of global communication, not just in a technical sense, but a time of increased intuitive awareness, which will serve to reveal that which was hidden. This global intuitive field will serve to bring more truthfulness in both personal and global communication and precipitate greater harmony and joy and love. What a hopeful message when one considers the growing distortion and perversion as reported on the daily news broadcasts!
Aphrodite and Venus
Venus is the daughter of the Moon and is symbolic of the many forms which issue forth from the Great Mother. Her glyph depicts the marriage of the male and female forces of the Universe into One. The Egyptian Ankh, a more ancient form of Venus' glyph, means life.
As Above, So Below by Alan Oken
Egyptian Ankh of Life
There are many levels that can be examined in this Venus transit. Venus has long been associated as the circular, rounded female symbol, with Mars as the testosterone directed male archetype. While this is an oversimplified view of male-female dynamics, nevertheless, these two planets have symbolized the yin-yang duality within humans for eons.
As Venus passes directly in front of the Sun June 8, his solar radiance illuminates and exalts her, prompting the return of beauty, love, and the revival of the sacred feminine. Venus is our harbinger of a more harmonious Earth, 'Harmonica Gaia', and brings the possibility of healing our relationships on every level, to change our world.
With the current sexual abuse scandals in Iraq as well as within the Catholic Church an overall pattern can be seen regarding this astronomical event. With Venus' association with Aphrodite, goddess of love and sexuality, she is definitely revealing the great misuse and abuse of sexual energy. She is illuminating and making very distinct all that obscures the true beauty of our world.
(A rare view of Mars and Venus on either side of a misty crescent moon appeared in the western night sky in late May, presenting a poignant visual show of this male-female dance).
Mary Magdalene and the Pentagram of Venus
Mary Magdalene is perhaps our most prominent representative of maligned sexuality. For nearly two millennia she was considered a forever penitent, reformed prostitute. It was only in 1969 that the Catholic Church reversed their position and announced that Magdalene was in fact not a prostitute, but the one who witnessed and proclaimed Jesus' Resurrection. Because of her presence at both the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Magdalene was seen by the Gnostics and mystics of the Middle-Ages to be The Medium of Secret Revelation.' These same Gnostics also associated her with the planet Venus, a shining symbol of the sacredness sexuality and love.
Planetary archetypes and observation of significant celestial events are guiding symbols, way-showers to help us understand the complexities of the universe and human existence. In Egypt, China, Babylon, and Druid, Mayan and most native traditions, the world-view included the mirroring of celestial patterns upon the earth in temple and ceremonial site design, as a way of insuring a continuing harmonious relationship between earth and sky.
We can find many examples of this in the building of earthly temples to reflect celestial patterns. One of these is found in the location of Magdalene sites and Knights Templar castles in Southern France. As the planet Venus moves through the heavens, the pentagram is formed by the pattern of her orbit. At Rennes le Chateau, a place steeped in Templar Grail mystery and dedicated to Mary Magdalene, a five-pointed star is formed by the prominent mountain peaks and Magdalene shrines. The pentagram's image is also seen as a secret code revealing Magdalene and Holy Grail mysteries within the art of Leonardo Da Vinci and Poussin, as well as the old parchments of the Priory of Sion found at Rennes.
As they turn, the planets are showing us the mysterious workings of God's hand, expressed in the harmonious movements of the spheres. Each planet, as it revolves in its orbit, reaches positions where Earth, Sun and Planet form distinct alignment patterns. Only one planet shows us a perfect geometrical form. This form is pentagonal and the planet is Venus. Creating five equally-spaced alignments over a period of eight years, she draws the perfect, hidden and secret symbol of the five-pointed star in the heavens. As above, so below. The very landscape bears the sign of her secret revelation.
Key To The Sacred Pattern by Henry Lincoln
Venus in Avalon
Each morning, according to a legend, a group of angels lifted Magdalene where she could listen to the entire choir of angelic hosts, the divine sounds of original and continuing creation.
The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, edited by Jean-Yves Leloup
In late October of 2003, I was in Britain to film a documentary focusing on sites related to Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail. While filming in Glastonbury (site of the ancient Isle of Avalon), I joined sound healer Tom Kenyon and his partner Judi Sion to present a sound healing event, Magdalene in Avalon'. Tom and Judi co-authored The Magdalen Manuscript, a Magdalene-channeled treatise on the true nature of sacred relationship and the use of sexual high alchemy for transformation. The focus of this Magdalene event was to disseminate the divine feminine healing energies through Tom's extraordinary voice, using the magnified power of the Glastonbury Tor. (The Glastonbury Tor is the ancient labyrinth hill at the center of Avalon, where the healing waters of the red and white springs emerge, and adjacent to the famous Chalice Well Gardens. See the Four Corners article Maria Magdalena).
Coincidentally, many friends in Arizona reported that at the exact hour of the Glastonbury Magdalene event, an eerie solar phenomena occurred. The solar flares, which were unusually strong and active at that time, created violet colored sun spots over a deep orange mid-afternoon sun ...a mysterious sign of the power of focused intention and the return of the Goddess?
Another interesting synchronicity with the Magdalene and the Tor arrived in a recent email from Glastonbury England from Sig Lonegren, author and internationally renowned dowser. Having been a fan of Mary Magdalene for many years, he took a walk one day on the road that goes around the Tor to see if he could discover any new clues as to the nature of the Earth Energies there. His eye was drawn to a plant with heart-shaped leaves, which grows prolifically all around the Tor and within the nearby Chalice Well Gardens. The common name of the plant is Lords and Ladies and the botanical name is arum (meaning lily) maculatum (spotted or besmirched'). (Sun spots are also called macula!) As Sig pondered the symbolic nature of the plant, he mused that the immaculate lily would obviously be the Blessed Virgin Mary, but the maculate, tainted, besmirched one had to be Magdalene. The Tor is surrounded by her energy!
Venus in Sedona's Landscape Temple
In Nicholas Mann's book Sedona Sacred Earth, he presents his discovery of a natural five-pointed star pattern in the red rocks, with the dominant high points and vortex's of the landscape falling at each point, amazingly similar to the Rennes-le-Chateau Magdalene pentagram.
According to Mann, a perfect pentagram
is formed by five prominent formations, including Courthouse Rock,
Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa Vortex, a butte behind Camel Head Rock,
and Lee Mountain. The striking aspect of this naturally occurring
five-pointed star pattern, is that Madonna Rock which is adjacent
to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, is at the exact center of the pentagram.
In esoteric mystery schools, the pentagram represents the realized
human, and the ideal human proportions are seen by overlaying the
human form upon it, with the reproductive organs at the center.
The five-pointed stars appear repeatedly on the Egyptian temple
ceilings, symbolizing eternal perfection, and in another Egyptian
reference, when one both perceives and expresses beauty through
all five senses, the possible star' or realized human is born.
Madonna and Child near Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona
Photo by Ani Williams
To the Pythagoreans, five is the perfect number of love because it represents three, the first male number, and two, the first female number.
Venus, pentagrams, Madonnas and the return of beauty is this all be hinting at a divinely ordered blueprint for a potential Golden Age on Earth?
Magdalene Meets the Pentagon
During Easter weekend of this year, three hundred people met within a mile of the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, to celebrate the return of the sacred feminine at an event called The Magdalen Conclave. Hosted by Tom Kenyon and Judi Sion, this sound healing event was powerful and deeply transformative. Magdalene's message brought through Tom and Judi proclaimed this as the time of the return of the Goddess, and a balancing of male-female energies on earth, a time when women will be speaking out to assist in the healing of our planet. During the final ceremonial meditation of the gathering, I had a very distinct vision of great red dragons rising up from deep within the earth in the Washington, DC area, and that these large dragons that had long been sleeping are now awakening.
...our environment is being charged with extremely powerful energies that were previously stored within the planetary body and only rarely imparted to the life on its surface. Mythology knows them as the dragon powers'. Once distributed upon the surface of the earth, they may bring about an unprecedented increase in the power and beauty of life on the planet.
The Daughter of Gaia by Marko Pogacnik, Findhorn Press.
Planetary alignments and the Venus Transit
The exact moment of the Venus-Solar conjunction is at 1:42 am Mountain Standard Time on June 8. There are several potent planetary alignments at that time, which can be described in simple terms. Jupiter is in opposition to Uranus indicating increased momentum for change, higher vision, and expansion. Venus is in opposition to Pluto signifying a powerful, deep transformation of Venus related issues, i.e., our attitudes regarding love, sexuality, beauty, and the feminine. The Sun conjunct Venus, as already mentioned, signals an illumination and exaltation of Venus, as well as a celestial marriage of the feminine Venus and masculine Sun. With the Sun and Venus are both in opposition to Pluto, there is a transmuting of old male-female belief systems, birthing a new potential for co-creation.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this celestial timing is the retrograde' motion of Venus at the time of the transit. A retrograde motion means simply that the planet appears from the perspective of earth, to be moving backwards. A retrograde planet has the effect on the psyche of reviewing and rethinking our patterns. When Venus moves forward, or direct, and reaches the transit position of 17 degrees, it denoting the actual activation point of the seed that was planted during the transit June 8. This occurs on the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene, July 22! And the degree of the Sun on July 22 gives a fated quality to that day for bringing in mastery of relationship. What an amazing universe we live in.
Through the medium of a recent dream-vision that I had, I was shown a deeper understanding of the wide reaching effects throughout our universe that healing of the male-female dynamics within us and in our relationships can have. Mary Magdalene appeared repeatedly during the dream sequence with her consort, the Unicorn the Christed One, who then united with the Great Goddess in sacred Hieros Gammos. I was shown that their union is immersing this realm in healing light, bringing mystical love into the density and transforming matter. I was shown that their union is galactic, and huge emissions of light-photon particles are a result of this reunion, igniting an awakening in the hearts and minds of humans.
Unicorn and the Lady
A Medieval Tapestry
This mystical union is an archetype for rebirth, and when humans acknowledge the sacredness of life, sexuality and beauty, it births a corresponding tone throughout the universe and all is changed. Yes, their song and their loving changes everything.
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When the SLS core test-fires, it will become the most powerful rocket ever ignited on Earth.
At 322 feet tall (98 meters), the SLS stands a head shorter than the 363-foot (110 m) Saturn V rockets that carried astronauts to the moon in the 1960s and ’70s. But this rocket is substantially more powerful, producing 15% more thrust during liftoff and ascent.
Raw power doesn’t translate neatly into how much mass the rocket can carry into space.
When complete, if everything goes right, the SLS will have the capacity to carry more than 27 tons (24,000 kilograms) to the moon — much more than the 24 tons (22,000 kg) the Space Shuttle hauled into low-Earth orbit, though technically less than the Saturn V carried to the moon. (However, according to Live Science sister site Space.com, less of the SLS carrying capacity will be wasted on the different rocket stages and fuel, making the SLS an overall better cargo mover.)


I was somewhere between 3 and 4 years old. Our parents had gone out. My older sister Asoki snuck me out of bed to go stargazing on the lawn. I had never seen the night sky before. I was blown away!
I could count to 10, so started counting the stars. Wow! There were waaaay more than 10 stars!!!
Decades later, when I developed the Creative Holistic integration (CHI) system of self-care and self transformation, at the center was the Wholeness Exercise. I visualize that I am at the center of a black circle - a Mandala. I breathe slowly and deeply few times. On the last breath I exhale a burst in light from my heart into the black circle. It's the big bang! I create my universe of suns and planets. I see it like a giant night sky that I consciously create. I recognize myself as all of who I am that includes earth, sun and universe.
For my doctoral dissertation I studied the effect of doing this. I found it to be a quick, easy and highly effective form of stress management. I now teach this to others who wish to learn, I can see that doing this helps them too.
Interestingly, about 10 years ago I discovered that I am descended from astrologers who were also Ayurvedic physicians. I guess we've come full circle.


First Commercial Flight to Space Successfully Completed Today
ABC News reports that the SpaceX Dragon, the first private spacecraft to service the International Space Station, successfully returned to Earth this morning at 8:42am Pacific Daylight Time, off the coast of San Diego.
The mission wasn’t glamorous. The unmanned Dragon “carried extra supplies, experiments and garbage that the space station astronauts had loaded on board.” However, the success of the flight indicates that May 31, 2012 might become a milestone in commercialized space travel.
Until now, all flights to the space station have been made by the U.S., Russian or European space agencies. NASA hopes SpaceX and other commercial firms will take over space jobs previously done only by governments.
[Space entrepreneurs] say space could be a bit like the old West: Governments sent explorers, such as Columbus or Lewis and Clark, to open the frontier, and then private settlers followed.
PayPal founder Elon Musk started SpaceX in 2002 and is moving his company closer to becoming the private sector alternative to ferry U.S. astronauts to the ISS. (With the shuttle fleet mothballed, the Russians are doing the job now at price-gouging levels.) Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com started Blue Origin to build, test, and deploy reusable spacecraft. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic wants to make orbits around Earth the high-flying equivalent of a five-star cruise.
With the economy in the tank and NASA failing to find an extraterrestrial mission Congress will fund, it’s time to let these and other capitalistic cowboys take their shot at taming the final frontier.


Over 5,000 years ago, the invention of the sail in ancient Egypt completely changed navigation history. The wind power, which propelled the first sailing vessels, enabled ancient sailors to make long sea passages that had never been possible earlier. At the dawn of the space age, it was decided to resort to sail technology again, this time for the organization of orbital and, in the long term, interstellar motion.
Basic principles of photon acceleration
The principle of the solar sail (also called photon sail) is based on the propagation of sunlight in space. As we know, light consists of photons that have no weight. However, as they move through space, photons carry momentum. This photon impulse is transmitted to the reflecting surface of the solar sail when light hits it.
The impulse carried by the photons is relatively weak, but the conditions of the environment in which the solar sail moves help it. The space vacuum has zero resistance, so even a weak light force can provide the spacecraft with the desired acceleration vector. In addition, the acceleration of a spacecraft equipped with a solar sail will continuously increase as it is affected by sunlight. This means that spacecraft equipped with a solar sail can achieve speeds beyond the reach of today’s chemical-fueled rocket technology while using a completely renewable energy source for their purposes.
It is worth noting that solar sails do not move only in a straight line, just along the path of sunlight. They can change the spacecraft’s direction by modifying the sail’s angle or shifting the center of the spacecraft’s mass. An active attitude control system (ACS), located on the spacecraft and assists with slowly correcting the tilt of the solar sail based on its orbital trajectory, is responsible for this process. The ACS must provide zero net torque to keep the spacecraft in a stable position.
Apart from the ACS, the change of the spacecraft position can be achieved if the solar sail is made in the form of rotating blades (such as the experimental model, Znamya-2, which experimented on the reflection of concentrated solar radiation on Earth).
Design features of solar sails
A solar sail must be made of ultralight materials to ensure proper acceleration. By far, the best solutions are solar sails made of mylar (BoPET from Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) and polyimide (PI). It is also important to apply a reflective coating often made of aluminum to these materials. It will prevent photons from passing through the sail, as this process can cause the spacecraft to lose its acceleration.
Another parameter directly affecting the speed a solar sail can develop is the size and thickness of the reflective coating. There is no minimum limit here, but the smaller the coverage area of the sail, the more time it will take to develop the speeds required for space travel. A properly adjusted ratio of spacecraft mass to the area of its solar sail matters too. Therefore, to achieve optimal characteristics of the speed a photon sail can develop, engineers either increase the area of its reflecting surface or try to reduce the weight of the spacecraft to which it will be attached.
The acceleration of a spacecraft equipped with a photon sail also depends on the intensity of the sun’s light emission. In the inner boundaries of the solar system (up to the orbital trajectory of Jupiter), sunlight will be sufficient for the vehicle to develop its acceleration in a relatively short period. Still, the further away our star is, the greater loss of acceleration will be noticed.
This problem can be solved by hybrid solutions, namely by having a laser installation that could generate a powerful laser beam and direct it to the reflecting surface of the sail. The availability of such a laser setup can guarantee a spacecraft to maintain its acceleration in case of a solar radiation intensity decrease, but, currently, this technology is still difficult to implement. Such laser installations could significantly expand the scope of the application of solar sails. They would even allow spacecraft with photonic sails to be guided to the nearest stars from the Sun in the future.
From idea to first attempt at implementation
The concept of moving objects through the solar wind’s force was first formulated by Johannes Kepler in his letter to Galileo Galilei, dated 1610. In particular, Kepler wrote to his colleague, “Provide ships or sails adapted to the heavenly breezes, and there will be some who will brave even that void.” Later, James Maxwell, who proved that light has momentum that can exert pressure on objects by his equations, indirectly confirmed the possibility of a solar sail in the future.
The first tech analysis of the possibility of solar navigation was formulated by the Baltic German Georg Zander. In his 1925 work titled “Problems of Jet Propelled Flight: Interplanetary Flights,” the scientist considered the possibility of technically implementing solar sails that could reflect the sunlight using a system of ultrathin mirrors.
However, more than 50 years passed before humanity started the first attempts to implement the idea of moving with the help of sunlight. In 1976, the American company Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) began to develop this idea. The idea of JPL was more than ambitious – a probe equipped with a solar sail with the dimensions 850×850 m had to go to Halley’s comet and approach it in March 1986. After approaching, the spacecraft was supposed to detach its sails and use its jet engines to land on Halley’s comet.
As an alternative to the giant solar sail, JPL considered another option – a solar sail in the shape of 12 blades, which was named heliogyro. Each of the 12 blades of the heliogyro was to reach 8 m in width and 6.2 km in length. The total reflective coverage area of the solar sail developed by JPL was to be 0.6 million sq. m. A full rotation of the blades was to be carried out every three minutes. It was this solution that JPL specialists settled on in 1977, after which painstaking work began on the implementation of the first working prototypes.
Unfortunately, when the first blueprints for a working heliogyro were already on the table, NASA began to experience severe funding problems. As a result of budget cuts, on the one hand, and a rush to meet the project deadline, on the other hand, the solar sail was replaced by a SEP rocket engine, which created thrust through the separation of electrons from the inert xenon gas. However, the lack of funding did it all, and the NASA shuttle, which was to take the spacecraft to meet with the comet, did not start at the appointed time. Thus, the dreams of the first working prototype spacecraft, driven by sunlight, could not come true until 2010.
The massive IKAROS and the ultralight Light Sail
The first working prototype of a solar sail appeared in Japan. JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) was responsible for its development. The sail was mounted on the IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun) spacecraft launched in May 2010 aboard the Japanese H-2 rocket. After undocking its launch vehicle, it successfully deployed its reflective web on June 14 that year.
The IKAROS solar sail was only 7.5 µm thick, and the coating was made of a polyamide film. To release its 14x14m sail, IKAROS used innovative spinning technology and, with a speed of 20-25 revolutions per minute, slowly released the canvas sail thanks to four weighted tips. During this procedure, the sail took on a cruciform shape, and then spread the membrane of its reflective web like a cosmic kite. By July 2010, the first photons began to arrive at the solar sail, causing it to gradually gain acceleration and reach its maximum speed of 1,410 km/h.
The IKAROS photon sail also had a set of solar panels to store solar energy to provide autonomous operation of the space probe’s radio and telemetry systems. Japanese specialists carried out a number of operations to control spacecraft orientation during the IKAROS mission. In particular, JAXA engineers discovered that they could control the orientation of the spacecraft using a system of liquid crystal panels mounted on the sail’s edges.
Space tests of the first working version of the IKAROS solar sail came to an end in December 2010, marking the beginning of a new era of space satellites and cubesats driven by the power of sunlight. One of the major successes was achieved by the Planetary Society, which launched the first cubesat equipped with the LightSail solar sail to demonstrate the possibility of launching photon-powered nanosatellites into Earth orbit back in 2015.
LightSail was 60 times lighter than IKAROS (5 kg versus 315 kg), but its solar sail was only six times smaller. Due to its low mass, LightSail’s initial flight speed was only 0.058 mm/s², but over a month of constant exposure to sunlight, the cumulative acceleration effect increased, enhancing LightSail’s flight speed to 549 km/h.
In 2019, the Planetary Society repeated their experiment, launching a second version of the solar sail called LightSail 2. The Solar Sail Cubesat was launched on June 25, 2019, using SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy super heavy launch vehicle as part of the STP-2 program. As early as July 23, the vehicle was able to deploy its sail successfully, and a day later, it managed to send the first photos from its onboard cameras to Earth (shown above).
LightSail 2 was virtually identical to 1, except for a few differences compared to an earlier version of the vehicle. For example, LightSail 2 was designed to fly on a higher orbital trajectory. It was equipped with an inertia wheel, which helped the apparatus make 90° turns and complete rotations around its axis to gain acceleration from sunlight and increase its orbital altitude with each revolution around the Earth. In addition, the software for LightSail 2 control and spatial orientation was improved.
The launches of LightSail 1 and later LightSail 2 demonstrated that it was possible to use sunlight to maneuver microsatellite orbital constellations (cubesats) without resorting to rocket engines and propellants, but only to rely on photon physics.
Technology has given several new opportunities to control cubesats, with which the scope of their application has significantly expanded. It is assumed that these spacecraft will be used for monitoring missions to study the Sun and its activity in the future. The possibility of launching satellites into unstable orbits for rocket engines will open the way to new approaches to studying the Earth’s polar poles.
Advantages, disadvantages, and the future of the technology
The main advantage of solar sails is the absence of a rocket propulsion system and its fuel supply. This mass can be replaced with other payloads (research equipment, air, and provisions for astronauts). The presence of a constant light source driving the solar sail creates a balancing force, due to which vehicles equipped with photonic sails can reach orbits unstable for conventional rocket technology, which means a broader range of applications for such spacecraft.
Along with its undeniable benefits, solar sail technology also has its drawbacks. The main pitfall is the high vulnerability of the solar sail to small meteorites, which can damage the ultra-thin fabric of the reflective material. However, even in this case, engineering solutions to minimize the adverse impact of possible collisions exist. For example, most modern solar sails are reinforced with carbon fiber, which helps maintain the integrity of the reflective fabric in the case of a collision with space visitors.
The future of solar sail technology today is more like a sci-fi movie plot, but the development of ultrafast nanosatellites equipped with solar sails is more than real. In 2016, the Breakthrough Initiatives group announced the launch of a crowdfunding platform with the main goal to investigate the possibility of launching a 1-g nanosatellite driven by a photonic sail and a laser system to the nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, which would be able to maintain its acceleration as it moves away from the Sun.
It is assumed that a nano-satellite equipped with such an engine will be able to develop up to 20% of light speed (≈60 000 km/s) and reach the nearest star to the Sun in around 20 years (for comparison, the star is 4.367 light years from the Sun, and it would take ≈6300 years to reach it with today’s fuel-powered engines). Now, this engineering task looks monumental because currently, the maximum speed that a spacecraft with solar sails can develop is ≈0.05% of the speed of light (with a spacecraft weight of 10 kg and a total reflecting sail coverage area of 1 sq. km). Nevertheless, to definitively confirm (or refute) the hypotheses put forward by Breakthrough Initiatives, several theoretical and experimental studies should be carried out first.
Regardless of whether Breakthrough Initiatives’ ambition translates into reality, the photon sail has already given rise to the development of a new generation of rocket engines. The principle of photon momentum transfer, on which it is based, already forms the basis for the photonic engines and rockets under development. The speed of light offers humanity a unique opportunity for ultrafast interstellar travel in the future, and today the solar sail stands at the origin of these fundamental discoveries.


India on Wednesday became the sixth nation to launch a moon mission when indigenously built PSLV-C11 rocket blasted off from the spaceport here carrying with it Chandrayaan-I, which will map the lunar surface.
Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) home-grown rocket PSLV-C11 lifted off at 6.22 a.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre taking the spacecraft beyond the thick dark cloud cover over this coastal town.
After 18.2 minutes, ISRO's warhorse rocket had injected Chandrayaan-I, its maiden moon mission, in the earth orbit.
With the launch, India joined the elite club of moon faring nations -- the US , Russia , European Space Agency , China and Japan .
"The launch was perfect and precise. The satellite has been placed in the earth orbit.
"With this, we have completed the first leg of the mission and it will take 15 days to reach the lunar orbit," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.
President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani congratulated space scientists on the successful launch.
Chandrayaan-I is carrying an Indian flag which will be placed on the lunar surface when the Moon Impactor Probe lands on the moon during the course of the two-year mission.
"Our baby is on the way to the moon," Chandrayaan-I spacecraft director Mylswamy Annadurai said after the satellite was injected in the Transfer Orbit with a perigee of about 250 km and apogee of about 23,000 km, about 19 minutes.
About 18 minutes after liftoff, Chandrayaan-I separated from the rocket and began circling the earth in an elliptical orbit powered by its own engines.
At opportune moments, space scientists tracking the mission will fire the spacecraft's Liquid Apogee Motors (LAM) repeatedly to take it into more elliptical orbits.
Subsequently, the LAM would be again fired to take the spacecraft till it reaches 387,000 km from earth which is called the Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO).
After Chandrayaan-1 reaches the LTO, its LAM would be fired again so as to slow down the spacecraft sufficiently to enable the gravity of the moon to capture it into an elliptical orbit.
The next step would be to reduce the height of the spacecraft orbit around the moon in various steps.
After some more procedures, Chandrayaan-1's orbit would be finally lowered to its intended 100 km height from the lunar surface, which is expected to take place around November 8.
Later, the Moon Impact Probe would be ejected from Chandrayaan-1 in a chosen area following which the cameras and other payloads would be turned on and thoroughly tested, marking the operational phase of the mission.
The MIP will not survive the fall but demonstrate technologies for a future soft-landing mission. During its crash on the lunar surface, the MIP will send high resolution images of the moon and also analyse terrain.
Of the 11 instruments carried by the satellite, five are Indian, three are from the European Space Agency, two from the US -- including a radar that can search for ice under lunar poles -- and one from Bulgaria .
Beyond 3-D mapping the moon and scanning for mineral deposits, the mission will test systems for a future moon landing


Send creative play into orbit with the LEGO® City Lunar Space Station (60349) playset. This NASA-inspired space toy comes with lots of realistic features for imaginative play, including science and botany labs and a docking space capsule, plus 5 astronaut minifigures. Combine this set with others from the LEGO City Space range, such as the LEGO® City Rocket Launch Center - 60351, or the LEGO® City Lunar Roving Vehicle - 60348 (sets sold separately), for even more cool space fun!
This LEGO construction set includes a step-by-step printed building guide and interactive digital building instructions. Available in the free LEGO Building Instructions app for smartphones and tablets, the digital guide comes with intuitive zoom and rotate tools that allow kids to visualize each model from all angles as they build.
LEGO City Space toy playsets come with feature-rich models inspired by real NASA machines, vehicles and spacecraft, plus inspiring astronaut characters for imaginative, open-ended play based on real-life space missions. With the LEGO city space range, even the sky isn’t the limit!
- LEGO® City space-themed playset – The LEGO City Lunar Space Station (60349) is packed with NASA-inspired features and functions for imaginative space play
- What’s in the box? – Everything kids need to build a Lunar Space Station with a docking space capsule, plus 5 astronaut minifigures
- 500 Pieces - A gift for all occasions – This LEGO® toy can be given as a birthday, holiday or any-other-day gift for children aged 6 and up
- Can be given as a birthday, holiday or any-other-day gift
- Space Station dimensions – When built, the Lunar Space Station measures over 5 in. (13 cm) high, 12.5 in. (32 cm) long and 11 in. (28 cm) wide
- Includes LEGO® minifigure accessories – The minifigure accessories in this toy space station playset include a camera, wrench, drill, helmets and plants
- Interactive building instructions – Kids can zoom, rotate and view models from all angles as they build with the LEGO® Building Instructions app, available for smartphones and tablets
- Kids develop key skills and confidence as they build and play
- Quality in focus – All LEGO® components meet strict industry standards to ensure they are consistent, compatible and fun to build with – it’s been that way since 1958
- Play and learn – LEGO® City Space toys are inspired by real NASA machines, vehicles and spacecraft for open-ended play based on real-life events
- Putting safety first – LEGO® bricks and pieces are dropped, heated, crushed, twisted and analyzed to make sure they meet stringent global standards for safety


Your Adventure Awaits!
Join us Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with Miss Michele for songs, games, stories and lots of hands on learning.
Story Hour is open to young children and their caregivers.
We hope you'll join us!
Reach for the Stars!
Borrow the Library's telescope
February 9 - Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon's face will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 07:34 UTC. This full moon was known by Native American tribes as the Full Snow Moon or the Full Hunger Moon. This is the first of four super moons in 2020. The Moon will be at its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual. February 10 - Mercury reaches greatest eastern elongation of 18.2 degrees from the Sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky. Look for the planet low in the western sky just after sunset. February 23 - New Moon. The Moon will located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 15:33 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
Free and Reduced AdmissionThe library has 9 different passes to area attractions
- The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
- Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
- Old Sturbridge Village
- House of the Seven Gables
- Mystic Aquarium
- Tower Hill Botanical Gardens
- Massachusetts State Parks Pass
- Museum of Science
- Zoo New England
Drop In Lego Hour and Lego Challenge
Come build with us!Join us Thursday from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m.
We provide the LEGOS, You provide the IMAGINATION!
Want a challenge? come inon Thursdays at 6:00 pm and take the challenge to build something.
You asked for them, and here they are!The most requested item on our survey was for more evening hours. So now we will be open on Tuesday evenings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thank you Hubbardston!
The property underwent a historical restoration project in 2000 to address many of its needed repairs.
In 2016, the library had an interior restoration which included restoring the original heart pine floors, new carpet in the entry, electrical work, a new sunny yellow paint in the children's room and some new furnishings.


The Morrison Government is backing Australian businesses to develop and launch new products into space, as part of a plan to get more local companies to be part of NASA’s Moon to Mars program.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the Demonstrator Feasibility grants will allow businesses and researchers to look into whether their projects are viable – showcasing local space capabilities on the global stage.
“Investing in space is investing in our future. By backing Aussie businesses to be part of global space supply chains we can grow our economy and create new jobs,” Minister Andrews said.
“These grants will provide opportunities for businesses and researchers to scope out the feasibility of projects which have the potential to operate or support operations in space, including activities related to NASA’s Moon to Mars endeavours.
“Space isn’t just about launch. Space technology can improve our lives, from assisting in the delivery of remote rural medicine, helping us stay connected with loved ones across the world and assisting farmers to manage their land through advancements in robotics.
“We’re also focused on building manufacturing capability and growing the space sector here at home – a key priority area of our Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy.”
Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski has urged Northern Beaches based industries to get involved in the process.
“The Northern Beaches is home to many businesses which have previously contributed to Australia’s defence industry. I would encourage them and others to contribute towards Australia’s quest for the stars.” Mr Falinski said.
Head of the Australian Space Agency Dr Megan Clark AC said the Demonstrator program will support commercially focused projects to build capability in the national civil space sector and open up global market opportunities.
“The Demonstrator Feasibility grants are about building capacity and capability in entities that are at the starting point on the path to developing and launching products into space,” Dr Clark said. “The grants will help businesses and researchers identify the feasibility of potential projects before they embark on the next stages of a space mission.
“Space exploration opens up new opportunities for Australia as it provides an avenue for Australian businesses to apply our best technology and know-how to space missions. These activities can also support the creation of high-value manufacturing capability, which can be transferred to other industries.”
Grants of between $50,000 and $200,000 are available under the two-year Demonstrator Feasibility program. Visit https://business.gov.au/m2m-demo-feas for more information or to apply.
The $150 million Moon to Mars initiative is part of close to $700 million being invested by the Australian Government into the Australian civil space sector as part of its goal to triple the sector’s size to $12 billion and create up to an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.


I’m not a Sci-Fi junkie now, but as a kid I was obsessed. Whether it was Mork & Mindy, Star Wars, or E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, I always wondered if we were alone. And really, what would we do if we did find little E.T.’s out there? I’m sure with all the paranoid world leaders we put up with (and of course the media), we’d be coerced into FREAKING OUT. Sci-Fi films in the last several years have been sparse, and usually portray our bug eyed lizard friends as aggressive and evil. One recent film however, Another Earth, explores the idea of another YOU out there. Another Earth had me pondering equations I’m not qualified (or educated) enough to solve; the last scene will have you scratching your head for hours. It’s not a spaceship-droid-bad guy affair, but is thought provoking enough to make you wonder – WHAT IF?
SETI has launched a new site which lets you at home sift through radio frequencies from stars which they believe have the highest chance of alien life. From the SETILive site:
SETILive is taking the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) directly to you by presenting radio frequency signals LIVE from the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA) while it’s pointed at stars that, based on Kepler exoplanet discoveries, have the best chances of being home to an alien civilization. We’ll also be putting you “in the loop” where if enough of you see a potential extraterrestrial (ET) signal in the same data, then within minutes, the ATA will be interrupted and sent back to take a second look. The data you see will be from frequencies where human-made Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) crowds them and we believe the human eye will have a better chance than SETI’s computer algorithms to find ET signals there.
That’s a lot, but fascinating as all get out. Maybe you could take a listen to our extraterrestrial themed COLORCAST FOUR while you’re collecting data for SETI. It contains interviews from Susan Hiller’s WITNESS, an installation where you can listen to eyewitnesses recount their own UFO sightings, from South Africa to Oklahoma. It also contains tracks from Spiritualized, Cocteau Twins, Mahogany, O.M.D., Glass Candy, and more. And of course, if you find anything let us know.
Here is video of Susan Hiller and team installing WITNESS at the Tate. Also check out the Another Earth trailer and Carl Sagan’s message to humanity. Wow, he makes science so sexy!
posted by phil


Sat Dec 3, 2011
I remember discussing with my math and physics teacher. I was about sixteen years old. She argued that the attraction the Earth exerts on any bodies around it increases as we get closer to the center. My intuition was telling me that if gravity acceleration is caused by mass, the point of maximum gravity should be the surface of the planet, not the center. At the center of the earth we would be surrounded by mass, so nothing would be pulling us towards the center of the Earth anymore. I believe she probably had this formula in her head: F = Gm1m2/r*r. That’s Newton’s law of universal gravitation. In that formula, as the distance between the two masses decreases, the force gets stronger. If the distance (r) would approach 0, the force (F) would increase towards infinite. This formula is useful if we consider the two masses (m1 and m2) to be points. But the Earth is not a point. Points have no inside and outside, but this planet does.
Somehow a few days ago, twenty years after that discussion, these ideas came back to me. So I went and asked Mr. Internet. It turns out we were both partially right. The gravity acceleration does not immediately decrease as we move towards the center of the Earth, as my intuition had told me. In fact, it first increases a little as we go down. There are at least two reasons. One, the effect of the planet rotation, which tries to throw us up into space, is stronger on the surface than down below. And two, density of the matter inside the planet is not always the same: it changes depending on the depth.
That means that as we start digging towards the center of the planet, the gravity acceleration initially increases, reaching the maximum at about half way through our trip to the center of the Earth. But after that it decreases down to zero, as I had suspected.
My teacher did not appreciate so much my ability to get the right answers without knowing or remembering all the theorems and rules. At least publicly she didn’t, I don’t know what she thought about it. In any case I believe it was an ability to be promoted, not something to get rid of. My feeling is that teachers wanted students who were able to memorize things, not understand them. That’s why I find this video important: Changing Education Paradigms, why I enjoyed the book Hackers and Painters. And maybe one reason why I’m interested in the Khan Academy and recorded almost 100 episodes of Fun Programming.


Bruce McCandless was a NASA astronaut who was the first person to fly freely and untethered in space during a 1984 space shuttle missions has passed away on Dec 21 in California at aged 80.
At age 26 in 1966, NASA picked him as the youngest member of a newly recruited 19-man astronaut group.
McCandless is survived by his wife, Ellen Shields McCandless, two children and two grandchildren.
He was a member of the support crew for the Apollo 14 mission and a backup pilot for the first manned Skylab mission, before serving as mission specialist on two space shuttle missions.
The US space agency did not give the cause of death on Thursday for the longtime resident of the western state of Colorado.
With a jetpack, McCandless travelled 100m (328ft) from the Space Shuttle.
“That may have been one small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me,” he joked, adapting astronaut Neil Armstrong’s famous moon-landing line.
Armstrong’s words were in fact relayed to McCandless, who was in mission control for the moon landing in 1969.
Photo of Bruce soaring effortlessly in space has inspired generations of Americans to believe that there is no limit to the human potential,” said Senator John McCain, who was a classmate of McCandless at the US Naval Academy.
1984 McCandless first flew to space, at the age of 46, but his untethered flight captured the imagination of a public that was becoming accustomed to space flight.
McCandless orbited at 18,000mph (29,000km/h), using a hefty jet pack to propel himself away from and then back towards the Space Shuttle.
Armstrong’s words were in fact relayed to McCandless, who was in mission control for the moon landing in 1969. His voice was recorded in those era-defining moments, communicating with Armstrong and his fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins as they planted the US flag on the moon. “Oh, it’s beautiful, Mike. It really is,” he said over the radio.
McCandless had over the years been involved with the design and development of the jet pack that allowed him to fly alone, and over the radio from space he told mission control “we sure have a nice flying machine here” BBC report”.
The son and grandson of decorated war heroes, he graduated near the top of his class at the US Naval Academy. In the navy, he learned to pilot at least nine different aircraft, rising to the rank of captain.


Evans & Sutherland
Museums & science centers
The sky is the limit for reopened COSI Planetarium
“It’s a dream come true.”
That’s the sentiment held by Kate Storm, the Director of Theaters at Columbus, Ohio’s Center of Science and Industry (COSI), when speaking of the reopening of the COSI Planetarium. “I worked at the planetarium when it closed in 2004 and it was heartbreaking,” she says, “for me, it became a mission to get it open again.”
A beloved institution nestled along the west bank of the Scioto River, COSI welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually to explore various science-focused exhibits, activities and events. One of the more popular attractions is the COSI Planetarium, a fulldome, 211-seat theater with a 60 ft.- diameter concave screen. First opened in 1999, it closed 5 years later and then sat unused until this latest technology upgrade and reopening in the fall of 2014.


NASA’s Kepler planet-hunting spacecraft has found two new worlds that have orbits and sizes similar to our world. NASA’s Kepler spacecraft also recently found a new planet – called HIP 116454b – that’s 180 light-years from Earth, 2.5 times its diameter, and has nine-day orbit around its sun.
HIP 116454b moves around a star that’s smaller and cooler than our sun – but conditions would still be too hot for life as we know it. The planet and its star are in the direction of the constellation Pisces.
Here’s what NASA says about how the Kepler spacecraft found the new planet:
Kepler’s onboard camera detects planets by looking for transits — when a distant star dims slightly as a planet crosses in front of it. The smaller the planet, the weaker the dimming, so brightness measurements must be exquisitely precise. To enable that precision, the spacecraft must maintain steady pointing.
The full academic report on the number of habitable planets includes three that had been previously confirmed, as well as one body, KOI-4427.01, that hasn’t technically been classified as a planet.
This is because the computer program that helped scientists determine the planetary mass and measurements was only 99.2 percent sure that KOI-4427.01 might be a planet.
For all the other planets, the determination was 99.7 percent. We’re counting it as the ninth planet in our numerical roundup because we’re unwilling to give poor KOI-4427.01 the Pluto treatment over a paltry .5 percent differential.
All 12 of these planets have been confirmed as existing within the habitable zone of their star, and nine of them are known to be rocky.
But don’t start getting ready to welcome your new alien overlords just yet. The potential for habitability is just that, potential. And if life is ever found elsewhere in the universe, the chances are good that it will be microscopic.
Still, the discovery is exciting. After all, now science fiction writers have 12 more planets (including KOI-4427.01, don’t forget!) to fill with fictional alien civilizations.