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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

What glows in the night? This night featured a combination of usual and unusual glows. Perhaps the most usual glow was from the Moon, a potentially familiar object. The full Moon's nearly vertical descent results from the observer being near Earth's equator. As the Moon sets, air and aerosols in Earth's atmosphere preferentially scatter out blue light, making the Sun-reflecting satellite appear reddish when near the horizon. Perhaps the most unusual glow was from the bioluminescent plankton, likely less familiar objects. These microscopic creatures glow blue, it is thought, primarily to surprise and deter predators. In this case, the glow was caused primarily by plankton-containing waves crashing onto the beach. The image was taken on Soneva Fushi Island, Maldives just over one year ago. Your Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995)

Photo by Petr Horálek / Institute of Physics in Opava

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) French poet, novelist, and dramatist. He is considered to be one of the greatest French writers.

Light poured out,
of windowed glass,
reflecting upon the
rain, sprinkled, grass.

Shadows made,
by limbs of trees,
waving aimlessly,
in a Spring breeze

When memories fade,
when mirrors fall,
will we still remember,
anything at all?

This fragile life's existence,
good as your mind can be,
will pass the memories,
going into infinity.

Do you recall the scenes,
from your memories past
and realize you will not be,
remembered, as they didn't last.

As old memories fade,
or just go away,
I'm reminded once more,
of the small role we play.

All of the actors,
in this life's scheme,
living your life,
another good dream.

Memories flow,
then go away,
hopefully remembering,
when having a bad day.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

Would you go to the end of the world to see a total eclipse of the Sun? If you did, would you be surprised to find someone else there already? In 2003, the Sun, the Moon, Antarctica, and two photographers all lined up in Antarctica during an unusual total solar eclipse. Even given the extreme location, a group of enthusiastic eclipse chasers ventured near the bottom of the world to experience the surreal momentary disappearance of the Sun behind the Moon. One of the treasures collected was the featured picture -- a composite of four separate images digitally combined to realistically simulate how the adaptive human eye saw the eclipse. As the image was taken, both the Moon and the Sun peeked together over an Antarctic ridge. In the sudden darkness, the magnificent corona of the Sun became visible around the Moon. Quite by accident, another photographer was caught in one of the images checking his video camera. Visible to his left are an equipment bag and a collapsible chair. A more easily visible solar eclipse will occur in just under four weeks and be visible from a long, thin swath of North America.

Photo by Fred Bruenjes (moonglow.net)

When life was young,
so was I.
Now, I'm just another,
real, old guy.

One needs to laugh,
a big guffaw,
for life can be short,
when pursued by the Law.

There are many words,
flowing through my head.
Most of the time my minds alive,
other times, it's brain dead.

When that happens,
there's one way to reply.
Start writing down everything,
all the truths plus one lie,

for when words flow,
out of this old mouth,
it means I've lost my way,
my words, headed South.

I'd like to stay,
and chat for a bit,
but my body is aching,
and my brain is unfit.

You are a vision,
I see in the whole,
your beautiful eyes,
capture my soul.

Thank you my dear,
for being my friend.
This is a friendship,
which will never end.
At least not for me.

The roar of the Ocean,
sounds of the waves.
Seagulls a squawking,
a wind misbehaves.

Would you like the Ocean,
to go there to see,
the sights which surround you,
the beautiful Sea.