Moon Dances
For the Northern Hemisphere
August 20 - September 18, 2009

Print-Friendly Page ~ Printable Date Table
All times are local unless otherwise specified.

Look Up! The Moon, waxing and waning, impressively promenades across the dark sky, partnering with the sparkling stars and glowing planets. Who is the Moon dancing with tonight?

8/20-24 ~ A New Lunar Cycle Begins
8/27-28 ~ First Quarter Luna is Fiery!
8/29-30 ~ Gibbous Luna ~ Labor Day Weekend Invite
9/1-7 ~ Large Luna Visits 3 Planets ~ Have a Stellar Celebration
9/12-16 Predawn's Gems and Jewels
The Virgo Night Sky
The Night Sky ~ Home Page

Current Phase of the Moon

Click on the Moon links for meditative insights and additional information.

New	Waxing Crescent	First Quarter	Waxing Gibbous	Full	Waning Gibbous	Last Quarter	Waning Crescent
8 /20 / 09		8 /27 / 09		9 / 4 / 09		9 / 11 / 09
3:02amPDT		4:42amPDT		9:03amPDT		7:16pmPDT
10:02 UT		11:42 UT		16:03 UT		9 / 12 / 08
						02:16 UT

Note: When the right side of the Moon is illuminated, the Moon is increasing or waxing. When the left side illuminated, the Moon is decreasing or waning. (Of course, this only works in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere the effect is just the opposite!)

Moon and Sun Data
One Specific Day
One Year Table

Rise/Set/Transit Times ~ Major Bodies

UT Time Conversion

A New Lunar Cycle Begins
Thursday, August 20 – 3:02am PDT (10:02 UT)
Personal Integrity Builds a Humanitarian World,
Creates a Sacred Planet

Image: Distant Suns / Adobe Photoshop

* Printable Image *

east–left, west–right, north–top, south–bottom

The New Moon is really a no Moon! This Moon is too close to the Sun to be seen. It is hidden from our view by the Sun's glowing light.

Note: For those living in San Francisco this New Moon takes place below the eastern horizon about 3 1/2 hours before sunrise. The Sun, New Moon and planets are located in the same constellations for other parts of the world; these constellations, in differing time zones, lie in a different location above or below the horizon.

Reflections ~ New Moon,
Regulus, Leo the Lion

With every New Moon our soul goes into meditation and aligns with the inspiration of the Nirmanakayas; a potential is enlivened and a seed of consciousness is formed deep within. Take some time to create a sacred space. A new cycle is beginning.

Regulus, the royal lion-hearted lawgiver and brightest star of Leo the Lion is being energized by the New Moon and Sun.

The Light of Leo the Lion is the Light of the Soul. Its illumination prepares one for participation in the New Group of World Servers, the builders of a humanitarian world. Regulus and Leo align humanity with the will and purpose of Deity.

Throughout antiquity Regulus was associated with royalty and kings … Its name is given as “the Regulus” or “the Rex,” meaning the “Law Giver.” Placed as the "heart" of the Lion reveals where the law / our truth resides. Regulus is considered the governing star of the heavens … an administrative seat, a foundational star insuring integrity and order.

On a personal level, Regulus is about our "vertical integrity," that is, living true to self. This means walking in confidence and with self-respect, aligned with the truth in our hearts, in thought, word, and deed. Our personal integrity, our inner vertical attunement, must precede any horizontal, humanitarian participation in the world (Leo’s opposite Aquarian pole). Without this inner integrity we become self-sacrificing, entrapped in a sympathetic resonance or dance, giving self away at the cost of our heart / soul truth. This perpetuates discord and dysfunction for self and for others because we are simply living a lie. Only by living our hearts' truths do we provide opportunity for others to also stand in integrity and live theirs. A true humanitarian world starts with self, living vertically attuned, from the integrity of the Heart. Nick Fiorenza

Regulus the heart star of Leo focuses and regulates the energies of Sirius our spiritual Sun toward Earth. Review Sirian Initiaion. The emanations of Regulus in alignment with a higher spiritual Law can stimulate a response in humanity that expresses the Christ consciousness. The Sun, Moon and Regulus are establishing a strong Sirian conduit in our solar system as this new lunar cycle of Soul inspiration begins.

Regulus lies almost exactly upon the ecliptic, therefore, once a year during Earth's orbit around the Sun, the Sun occults Regulus, channeling the Sirian forces, unimpeded throughout our solar system. In 2009 this occurs August 22, just two days after the New Moon. Hmmm ... the Sun (heart of our solar system) conjoins Regulus (heart star of Leo the Lion), which focuses and regulates the emanations of Sirius (esoterically the heart of our Sun) toward Earth! In time the heart of humanity will grow more loving and wise with an ability to create a sacred planet, a radiant magnetic center in the universe.

The Hierarchy, Deity, and the Great Lodge of Sirius are calling on each of us to act wisely, as revealed through the Leo~Sirius Full Moon Festival. It is here in Virgo [August 22-September 21] that the intentional uniting of sprit and matter occurs. In creating the form, Divinity planted the seed in Virgo. Through our working with the form, the end result is the Sacred Form ~ ultimately, the manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Virgo 2009 Global Meditation

Leo, the Big Cat in the heavens, roars heartily as the New Moon brings in the awareness of Sirius, The God, Dog Star. With it comes the impression that personal integrity is a prerequisite to building a humanitarian world and creating a sacred planet.

Divine Identification Global Meditation
This meditation, which culminates at the
Full Moon in Virgo, begins with this New Moon.

Date Table includes additional events.

August 21-22, Friday-Saturday, the youngest Moon first lies below Mercury then to the left of Mercury in the west, just after sunset. Saturn lies to the right of both. Mercury is 2.5x brighter than Saturn. Moonset: 8:30pm, 9:00pm These are challenging observations that occur low on the western horizon in the twilight. Binoculars come in handy. 8/22 Map/Text

Saturn in Leo tests our integrity, honesty and leadership. Call on Mercury to foster these qualities; this planet's emanations link the personality to the soul. Ponder inner vertical attunement.

August 23-24, Sunday-Monday, the waxing Crescent Moon first lies below Virgo the Virgin's brightest star Spica, then passes to the left of the star. August 24 Mercury is at its greatest elongation and sets with Saturn at 8:45pm. 8/23 Map ~ 8/24 Map/Text

This image helps navigate the heavens and "see" the following description.

Virgo the Virgin is our Heavenly Holy Grail. Divine Will emanating from the 7 rishis of the Big Dipper is gathered by Avatar-like Arcturus into a seed that is accepted and nourished by the Virgin's stellar womb, Spica.  

Virgo is about allowing the soul to grow and emerge, finally giving birth to the Christ consciousness, or full soul awareness ... to truly prepare and nurture oneself to embody spiritual awareness, both inner and outer action is required. All of one’s efforts must be bent towards achieving this goal. Virgo Zodiacal Deity

Ponder your part in evolving the form.

Saturn and Mercury ~ Planetary Treats During Virgo

First Quarter Luna Nestles Near a Fiery Heart
A Burning Ground is Activated
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Watch Out for the Scorpion's Sting!
Friday, August 28, 2009

Image: Earth&Sky Graphic adapted with Adobe Photoshop

* Printable Image *

Note: The Moon occults (hides Antares) 8/27 for those in S & E North America (4:30pm EDT), N South America & NW Africa. Time Tables

August 27, Thursday evening, First Quarter Luna guides us to the Scorpion's fiery red heart star, Antares. It is a red supergiant star approximately 800x bigger than our Sun! See this image for a visual comparison. Scroll down this link for the size of  Earth, the planets, large stars and Antares.

You’ve got about another month to see a uniquely summer star, Antares in the constellation Scorpius, in the evening. It is the brightest star near the moon tonight, in the southern sky as night begins. By late September, Antares will be tough to spot in the southwestern twilight after sunset.

... Antares appears so near the southern horizon that we must view it through a great thickness of air. The air through which we view Antares causes this star to twinkle rapidly! On any summer evening, if you see a bright red star low in the south that’s twinkling fiercely . . . it’s probably Antares. Earth&Sky

August 28, Thursday evening, a fatter Luna lies above the Scorpion's stinger stars, Shaula and Lesath.

... just above the stinger on a dark moonless night you can see two tiny fuzzy clouds called M-6 and M-7, which look like decapitated comet heads. [Image] M-7 is actually a cluster of 80 stars 800 light years away which means the light we see right now is the light that left it in 1200 a.d. M-6 also has 80 stars but is 1600 light years away which means that the light we see now left it in 400 a.d. Wow! Use binoculars for a super close up view of these two false comets of Scorpius. Star Gazer: 2009 Script 8/10-16

Reflections ~ First Quarter Luna, Scorpius

The First Quarter Moon, exact Thursday, August 27, at 4:42am PDT (11:42 UT) squares the Sun at a 90-degree angle and brings up a tension between desires and emotions, as we struggle for fulfillment. Ideally any obstacles impeding the awareness conceived at the New Moon are overcome at this time.

When the Moon transits the burning ground of Scorpius, it activates the transformative power within us, the Kundalini Fire of Life. Scorpius is the seat of the coiled serpent power and Antares the serpent itself ready to be enlivened. Opposite Antares in the zodiacal wheel lies Aldebaran, the illuminating eye of Taurus the Bull, the star of enlightenment. Antares wields the Fire of God by its connection to Aldebaran.

Scorpius influences the turning point in the life of humanity and in the life of the individual human being. It reorients the personality to the life of the Soul and later to initiation and sensitivity to the Divine Plan.

As the waxing Moon transits the burning ground of Scorpius, it is bound to bring up obstacles, as well as activate the transformative power within us. The cosmic Scorpion demands vertical alignment and has a stinger to insure the evolutionary lessons are learned!

Call upon the Fire of Life to burn away any obstacles you are facing in regards to personal integrity.

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Reflections ~ Waxing Gibbous Luna, Sagittarius,
Pluto, Summer Triangle, Milky Way
Labor Day Weekend Invite

The waxing Gibbous Moon is more than half lit, moving toward its full sunlit phase. Illumination and growth are offered by this lunar phase, only if the obstacles from the past are cleared away. This must happen, if the energy released with the coming Full Moon is to be utilized.

August 29-30, Saturday-Sunday, Gibbous Luna transits Sagittarius the Archer. Saturday evening Luna lies at the constellation's teapot top and on Sunday east of the teapot's handle. Constellation Image ~ 8/29 9:30pm Sky Chart

Note: Telescopic Pluto lies north the "teapot top". The Moon is in exact conjunction with Pluto August 29 at 9:09am PDT (16:09 UT).

BTW: The Summer Triangle can be seen overhead between 9:00pm and 10:00pm.

The Summer Triangle a Must-See Labor Day Tradition!
Check out Star Gazer's fun and informative 5-minute video.

Sagittarius resides where the river of the Milky Way (galactic plane) flows into the ecliptic (plane of our solar system). In fact, his arrow points to the bulging Heart of our Milky Way Galaxy, the Galactic Center.

Sagittarius rides toward the light of the inclusive Galactic Heart. This cosmic Archer along with nearby Pluto are impressing humanity to aim for the spiritual vision that includes the “Whole” Truth and unites us all. This vision is essential to building a humanitarian world and realizing our planet's sacred destiny, the qualities that Luna emphasizes this cycle.

The Milky Way extends from Sagittarius in the southwest to Cassiopeia in the northeast. It sweeps overhead through the Summer Triangle. 9pm Star Map The Milky Way's mysterious river of stars is said to be where all souls hold communion. It is the cosmic nourishment, which vitalizes our solar system.

When one ponders the Summer Triangle, a transformational gateway appears. The qualities of this gateway, when personally activated lead one on the path of the gods to divine unity.

You're invited this Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7, to travel the path of the gods through the gateway of the Summer Triangle into the cosmic river of divine unity. All you have to do is Look Up and stay awake, while it's dark in your world!

Check out Virgo's Sky Lights and the printable Date Table for additional celestial delights and planetary treats. Review the following Sky Chart  and have a stellar Labor Day weekend celebration!

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Large Luna Visits 3 Planets
Tuesday-Saturday, September 1-5 - 9:00pm
Exact Full Moon: Friday, September 4
9:03am PDT (16:03 UT)
Have a Stellar Labor Day Weekend!
Friday-Monday, September 4-7 - 9:00pm

Image: AstroViewer / Adobe Photoshop

* Printable Image *

Note: The view of the sky appears to move west 15°/hour *.
(180º in 12 hours, horizon to horizon, 180º/12)

Dated Circles: These represent the approximate position of the Moon on the given dates at 9:00pm.
The Summer Triangle lies overhead between 9:00pm and 10:00pm.
The Big Dipper guides us to Polaris our North Star and Arcturus the brightest star in Bootes.
The Milky Way stretches in a dark sky from the southwest, between J-shaped Scorpius and teapot-shaped Sagittarius, to the northeastern, W or M shaped constellation of Cassiopeia. Look through the Summer Triangle to see the Milky Way overhead. View the placement of the Milky Way's river of stars during September evenings.

Labor Day Weekend ~ Have a Stellar Celebration!

Traditionally Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parades. Most people partake in a long weekend celebration that includes evenings under the stars.

Surprise your friends with what you know and what heavenly sights they can see! Review Labor Day Weekend Invite above to become more familiar with Sagittarius, the Milky Way and the Summer Triangle. Note: A larger Luna now lies further east than the previous weekend. Without nearby moonlight interference, Labor Day Weekend skywatchers can more fully see all the stars of teapot-shaped Sagittarius and J-shaped Scorpius. Enjoy the last views of Antares, the fiery red supergiant heart star of Scorpius. By late September this star, which is approximately 800x bigger than our Sun, will be difficult to see in the twilight! Look Up!

Reflections ~ Waxing Gibbous Luna,
Jupiter, Neptune, Venus, Beehive

September 1-2, Tuesday-Wednesday, Gibbous Luna first lies to the right of Jupiter, then passes to left of the planet positioning herself near telescopic Neptune. Fomalhaut lies to the southeast and Altair to the northwest.

Note: Venus transits the Beehive Cluster (M44) September 1-3. Map The planet rises in the east at 4:00am.

The emanations of Neptune, Jupiter and their constellation Capricornus tune us to a higher frequency of Spirit and its potential earthly expression. Jupiter and Neptune in close proximity can arouse our ideals and awaken a greater sense of compassion. Their prolonged encounter from May through December 2009 evolves the heart of humanity, thereby increasing personal integrity, which in turn builds a humanitarian world.

Altair, head of Aquila the Eagle, brings vision and freedom. Fomalhaut mouth of the southern fish, Pisces Austrinus, prepares humanity for the new age and group service, as it drinks from the jug of Aquarius; it stimulates a humanitarian vision for our world and advances the flow of resources in this direction.

This cycle's waxing Gibbous Luna offers us growth and illumination that underscores the qualities Neptune, Jupiter, Altair and Fomalhaut.

In addition predawn Venus located in the Beehive awakens creative group endeavor that builds a world wherein love dwells.

Imagine the creative vision of humankind building a compassionate world that allows the human spirit to soar.

September 3, Thursday, growing Luna lies in the constellation Aquarius. Aquarius focuses the attention of humanity on the good of the whole; its energies are healing and cleansing. Today's mantram: May the greatest good come forth!

See the printable Date Table for additional events.

Jupiter ~ Planetary Treat during Virgo

Reflections ~ The Full Moon

Any Full Moon experience can offer us greater illumination of our essential divinity. Issues worked on since the New Moon come to a climax. If the restrictions of the past have been released during the waxing Moon, then the Full Moon can bring fulfillment. If not, the Full Moon might bring serious mental conflicts, possibly affecting the physical body.

The Full Moon is exact September 4 at 9:03am PDT (16:03 UT)

Full Moon Global Meditation
SouledOut.org invites you to participate in the
Divine Identification Global Meditation During Virgo

What was conceived at the New Moon, Personal Integrity Builds a Humanitarian World, Creates a Sacred Planet, review above now comes to fruition and is birthed into the full light of our conscious minds.

Reflections ~ Full Moon's Position

The Full Moon resides in Aquarius as it approaches and enlivens telescopic Uranus. The light of Aquarius ever shines within the dark, paving the way for the soul and spirit to express through substance. The healing rays of this constellation cleanse that which must be purified until the dark has gone.

Rebellious Uranus lies at the circlet of Pisces. Uranus in Pisces arouses a willful rejection of a limited reality. It's emanations shift humanity into new visions that encompass the greater whole and lead to greater freedom.

Saturn's opposition to Uranus on the zodiacal wheel creates a tension of polarities. During this lengthy aspect lasting into 2010, the new and unconventional energies of Uranus want to free themselves from the conformity and long-established energies represented by Saturn.

Note: Saturn and Uranus are in five exact oppositions occurring from November 4, 2008 through July 26, 2010. These surround their exact opposition on September 15, 2009, the mid-point in the 44-year Saturn-Uranus synodic cycle. This significant turning point occurs 11 days after the Full Moon.

And of utmost significance, this lunar month also embodies the mid-point of vision and realization in the current 44-year Saturn-Uranus cycle. Consider what you may have initiated 22-years ago and what was occurring in our world at that time, as this lunar month marks the epitome of realization regarding it. Nick Fiorenza Lunar Planner 8/20-9/18, 2009

Reflections ~ Full Moon's Illumination

The Full Moon during Virgo is illuminated by the Sun positioned in the belly Leo the Lion. Virgo offers an opportunity to intentionally unite spirit and matter. Leo the Lion provides an opportunity to be the soul, which is neither spirit nor matter but the relation between them. Virgo Keynote ~ Leo Keynote

In Summary

As above so below, this is the time for humanity to intentionally unite spirit and matter, the time for soul and spirit to express through substance. The Fire of Divine Will is roaring through humankind to align with the integrity of the soul and shine its cleansing light into darkness of our world.

The Secret of Creation is alive within us. It is our service to create a fertile space for Spirit to blossom. Divinity has planted within us the golden seeds of our spiritual evolution. We are now preparing for a Cosmic birth. 2009 Virgo Meditation

As we strengthen the contact with the soul, our love enlightens the form aspect and our essential, innate divinity manifests on Earth. We seek the greatest good for all and cooperate with each other. We fire-up the grid of great works. The personal integrity of each one of us builds a humanitarian world. We enter a new age of consciousness, one that creates a sacred planet.

September 5-7, Saturday-Monday, waning Gibbous Luna transits Pisces, the constellation of the World Savior. The energies emanating from this constellation fuse the soul and form producing the Incarnated Christ, the fully liberated Divine Human Being, the Light of the World.

Ponder the following ...

Mankind [Humankind] itself is the world Savior, of which all world Saviors have been but the symbol and guarantee. Alice Bailey: A Treatise on White Magic p. 100

May labors of love give rise to heartfelt Labor Day celebrations. Look Up! Be dazzled by heavenly emanations. Have a stellar time!

Predawn's Gems and Jewels
The Red Triad, Mars, Venus
A Waning Moon in a Sacred Hoop
Saturday-Wednesday, September 12-16 – 5:30am
Begin Looking East at 2:00am

Image: AstroViewer / Adobe Photoshop

* Printable Image *

top-west, bottom-east, left-north, right-south

Numbered dots near Mars and Venus represent their position on that given day.
Dated circles represent the Moon's phase and position on those given dates.
Orion's Belt Stars point to Aldebaran and Sirius, 2 points on the Sacred Hoop.

Note: This is the time of year when the bowl of the faint Little Dipper pours into the bowl of the Big Dipper. Look low in the northeast at 5:30am and low in the northwest after sunset.

Rise and Set Times ~ Major Bodies
Mars rises around 1:15am
Venus rises around 4:30am

Other Views
2:00am 9/12-14 Map ~ 5:30am 9/15 Sky Chart

Printable Date Table
Includes additional events

Morning Venus, Mars and the Winter Stars
Mars and Venus ~ Planetary Treats During Virgo

A Sacred Hoop of Celestial Gems and Jewels

Look Up! More than half of the 25 the brightest stars in the heavens can be seen positioned high in the east just before sunrise. Many of these celestial gems and jewels may have originated in the Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery located in the sword of Orion.

The stars in this region of the sky are called the winter stars because they are best seen on winter evenings, when they lie overhead. They form the Great Winter Hexagon, a heavenly sacred geometry that guides the way and expands the heart. This celestial shape lies over the Milky Way like a lens that leads to a place of Holy Communion. The Lakota Indians and other Plains Indians call this hexagon the Sacred Hoop and consider it to be extremely auspicious when the Moon and planets move through the Hoop. Mars is currently positioned within this Sacred Hoop and the Moon journeys within it September 12-14.

A Red Triad ~ The Waning Moon

Watch the Red Triad, a triangle of potent red celestial bodies within the Sacred Hoop (Mars, Betelgeuse, Aldebaran), shape shift as Mars moves eastward. View the Triad fully risen 1:15am-sunrise.

Energies of struggle and sacrifice (Mars), love and service (Betelgeuse) and illumination and enlightenment (Aldebaran) circulate through and emanate from the Red Triad, which acts as a generator for the creation of new world. These celestial bodies are energized as the Moon transits them. Be receptive to and invoke the virtues of this potent trio. Take the opportunity and challenge of manifesting these qualities in your world.

Reflections ~ Last Quarter Moon

The Last Quarter Moon can bring a crisis in consciousness as the Moon squares the Sun. This cycle's experiences have culminated and one must now prepare for rebirth by initiating change. This lunar phase is exact September 11 at 7:16pm PDT (02:16 UT 9/12).

September 12, Saturday morning, the Last Quarter Moon can be seen rising in the east, in a dark, early morning sky at 12:00am. Look for Last Quarter Luna overhead in the day sky between 7:00am - 9:00am. Luna sets in the west around 3pm.

Last Quarter Luna is located between the horn tips of Taurus the Bull and is enlivening the Red Triad. The horns of the cosmic Bull represent a battleground. Al Hecka, the southern horn tip, is symbolic of stalemates and standoffs; Elnath, the northern horn tip, is characteristic of perseverance and breakthroughs. Remember our struggles are evolutionary and age-old. Look toward and invoke the help of Elnath during any conflicts that might arise. Know the emanations of the Red Triad within the Sacred Hoop are guiding us in creating a new world that understands the resolution of conflict.

Reflections ~ Waning Crescent Moon

The waning Crescent Moon phase brings enlightenment at a deep level, a time of conscious growth, clarification of values and the surrender to a new future. Rebirth can occur and playfulness can come forth.

September 13-14, Sunday-Monday morning, Luna transits Mars and the Gemini Twins. Mars provides the opportunity to interact with opposing forces. Gemini keeps the flow of energies between dualities active so that eventually they reach synthesis and unity. Betelgeuse aligned with Luna and Mars brings the values of love and service to the interplay of opposing forces. Imagine cooperation and labors of love bringing about surprising new solutions to old problems.

September 15, Tuesday morning, Crescent Luna lies at the heart of the constellation Cancer. Cancer urges us to lift ourselves out of the mass instinctual life by developing the intuition. Listen to the inner guiding still small voice.

Note: Today Saturn and Uranus are exactly opposed to each other for the third time since 11/4/08. This event occurs at 5:50am PDT (12:50 UT), and marks the middle of the 44-year Saturn / Uranus cycle. Consider what you were doing 22 years ago and open to insights, visions, revelations.

September 16, Wednesday morning, slim Luna nestles near Venus, a sight to behold! Compare the map above with this map and this map/text.

Venus and Luna lie at the head of Leo the Lion.

This transition area ... in the last few degrees of sidereal Cancer, at the head of the Lion, is where we find those willing to break from the conforming beliefs of the masses and seek to break new ground--the explorers ... Nick Fiorenza

Break new ground! Call forth the integrity of this lunar cycle and and the love-wisdom of Venus in building your part of a humanitarian world. Celebrate the birthing process with all of its pains and labors of love!

BTW: Venus lies north of Regulus just before sunrise September 20. Map

See Date Table for additional events.

September 18, Friday, a New Moon occurs at 11:44am PDT (18:44 UT). Stay tuned for the next edition of Moon Dances.

I'd like to know your thoughts about The Night Sky and
if you'd like reminders to Look Up! ...
send me an email.
May your Night Sky traveling always be filled
with Celestial Delights and Treats!
Susan Sun

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Getting Started in Astronomy
Includes a downloadable Moon map and bimonthly star charts.

At Skymaps.com download a current monthly guide, evening sky map & calendar.

Link to Sky and Telescope's This Week's Sky at a Glance.

Spaceweather.com keeps you looking up!

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