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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Is the Lion Nebula the real ruler of the constellation Cepheus? This powerful feline appearing nebula is powered by two massive stars, each with a mass over 20 times greater than our Sun. Formed from shells of ionized gas that have expanded, the nebula's energetic matter not only glows, but is dense enough to contract gravitationally and form stars. The angular size of the Lion Nebula, officially named Sh2-132, is slightly greater than that of the full moon. The gaseous iconic region resides about 10,000 light years away in a constellation named after the King of Aethopia in Greek mythology. Your Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995)

Photo by Imran Badr; Text: Natalia Lewandowska (SUNY Oswego)

My mind is fuzzy,
can't write a clear thought.
Perhaps I need more than
the egg rolls I bought.

A small light appears,
in the back of my mind.
A fresh word is seen.
I hope it will find,

a new path home,
so, my head will clear.
It may not last, but
I still think of you dear.

When there aren't any words,
to write about life changes,
there are only so many,
words which work with exchanges,

for a peaceful transition,
from sadness to woe,
another dimension
of understanding when slow.

JOHN O'DONOHUE (1956 - 2008) was an Irish poet, philosopher and scholar, a native Gaelic speaker. He wrote numerous international best-selling books including: Anam Cara, Beauty, Eternal Echoes, and Benedictus: A Book of Blessings- Published in the US as To Bless the Space Between Us. John O'Donohue Official website

Quote Source: - Excerpt from John O’Donohue's book "Beauty"

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

What is that light in the sky? The answer to one of humanity's more common questions may emerge from a few quick observations. For example -- is it moving or blinking? If so, and if you live near a city, the answer is typically an airplane, since planes are so numerous and so few stars and satellites are bright enough to be seen over the glare of artificial city lights. If not, and if you live far from a city, that bright light is likely a planet such as Venus or Mars -- the former of which is constrained to appear near the horizon just before dawn or after dusk. Sometimes the low apparent motion of a distant airplane near the horizon makes it hard to tell from a bright planet, but even this can usually be discerned by the plane's motion over a few minutes. Still unsure? The featured chart gives a sometimes-humorous but mostly-accurate assessment. Dedicated sky enthusiasts will likely note -- and are encouraged to provide -- polite corrections. Chart translations: Italian, German, Latvian, Persian, Polish, Spanish, and Turkish

Photo by HK (The League of Lost Causes)

Photo shared by Heather Cox Richardson from Letters from an American

There are times to reflect
on what used to be,
as shown by this picture when
I was in the United States Navy.

Sometimes things happen,
this you should know.
Memories will fade
and your mind will slow.

Thoughts, which were clear,
when used yesterday,
are missing in action,
or have gone away.

Can memories be recovered?
I believe they can.
Look at some photos,
then you will understand.

Words lay in piles,
on the dining room floor.
Words used, cast offs,
not used anymore.

The problem with that,
as said before,
they become redundant,
when not working anymore.

Words are recyclable,
can vary in size.
Just say, I'm sorry,
there will be no surprise.

Fix the Court "unveiled a list of the gifts the U.S. Supreme Court justices have received over the years, and the numbers are staggering: in the last two decades (Jan. 2004-Dec. 2023), the justices have accepted 344 gifts valued at $2,993,036."
"If one includes another 101 gifts that Justice Thomas likely received over those 20 years — mostly comprising free trips to and free stays at Bohemian Grove and Topridge worth $1,787,684 — that number jumps to 445 gifts valued at $4,780,720." More at Fix the Court ➜