Contributor Posts

The December Solstice brings in the astronomical winter and summer seasons for the two hemispheres of our planet - The winter season for the Northern Hemisphere and the summer season for the Southern Hemisphere. On the day of a solstice, the Earth is at its maximum tilt, 23.5 degrees, either toward or away from the sun. In the northern hemisphere the date marks the 24-hour period with the fewest daylight hours of the year.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

What's causing the commotion in the Tadpole Nebula? Star formation. Dusty emission in the Tadpole Nebula, IC 410, lies about 12,000 light-years away in the northern constellation of the Charioteer (Auriga). The cloud of glowing gas is over 100 light-years across, sculpted by stellar winds and radiation from embedded open star cluster NGC 1893. Formed in the interstellar cloud a mere 4 million years ago, bright newly formed cluster stars are seen all around the star-forming nebula. Notable on the lower-right of the featured image are two relatively dense streamers of material trailing away from the nebula's central regions. Potentially sites of ongoing star formation in IC 410, these cosmic tadpole shapes are about 10 light-years long. The image was processed highlighting the emission from sulfur (red), hydrogen (green), and oxygen (blue) gas -- but with the stars digitally removed.

Photo by Craig Stocks

Snowed last night,
lovely to see,
making travel difficult.
Snow driving not for me.

I will tolerate slow service,
but dislike being ignored.
The elderly problem
of being invisible.

A million smiles,
is what I'll see,
when we meet,
if time is free.

A whirl of dust,
a life unclaimed.
Knew you then,
but not your name.

Sad are the days,
when I am missing you.
You have left,
now I am blue.

A fleeting Soul,
a life's song,
a cousin missing,
a relative gone.

Life is sad,
during this Holiday.
A first cousin
has passed away.

Winter snowfall blankets all,
covering lawns, shrubs and trees.
Whiteness abounds, throughout,
a Winter wonderland, to please.

Charles Kingsley (1819 – 1875) was a broad church priest of the Church of England, a university professor, social reformer, historian, novelist and poet. He is particularly associated with Christian socialism, the working men's college, and forming labour cooperatives, which failed, but encouraged later working reforms.
Source: Britannica

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Do you know the names of some of the brightest stars? It's likely that you do, even though some bright stars have names so old they date back to near the beginning of written language. Many world cultures have their own names for the brightest stars, and it is culturally and historically important to remember them. In the interest of clear global communication, however, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has begun to designate standardized star names. Featured here in true color are the 25 brightest stars in the night sky, currently as seen by humans, coupled with their IAU-recognized names. Some star names have interesting meanings, including Sirius ("the scorcher" in Latin), Vega ("falling" in Arabic), and Antares ("rival to Mars" in Greek). You are likely even familiar with the name of at least one star too dim to make this list: Polaris. Almost Hyperspace: Random APOD Generator

Photo by Tragoolchitr Jittasaiyapan

From the East
the Sun arose,
warming our face,
toasting our toes.

Inside Life's circle,
love will abound,
filled with noise,
a musical sound.

Christmas carols,
of music renowned.
A Holiday Season,
with a lovely sound,

Off in the distance,
a choir sings,
while the chime
of sleigh bells ring.

A wonderful time
to love the day,
greeting all, as friends.
For Peace, I pray.