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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

What are those dark streaks in this composite image of a solar eclipse? They are reversed shadows of mountains at the edge of the Moon. The center image, captured from Xiamen, China, has the Moon's center directly in front of the Sun's center. The Moon, though, was too far from the Earth to completely block the entire Sun. Light that streamed around the edges of the Moon is called a ring of fire. Images at each end of the sequence show sunlight that streamed through lunar valleys. As the Moon moved further in front of the Sun, left to right, only the higher peaks on the Moon's perimeter could block sunlight. Therefore, the dark streaks are projected, distorted, reversed, and magnified shadows of mountains at the Moon's edge. Bright areas are called Baily's Beads. Only people in a narrow swath across Earth's Eastern Hemisphere were able to view this full annular solar eclipse in 2020. Next month, though, a narrow swath crossing both North and South America will be exposed to the next annular solar eclipse. And next April, a total solar eclipse will be visible across North America. Open Science: Browse 3,000+ codes in the Astrophysics Source Code Library

Photo by Wang Letian (Eyes at Night)

A long drink of water,
in her fashionable jeans.
A sparkling smile,
promising many dreams.

I greeted her warmly,
as I would always do,
when she looked at me,
saying, "What's the matter with you?"

I replied, "Nothing is wrong,
for I've been waiting for you,
as I've heard of all the
goods which you do>"

She looked me,
with the bluest of eyes,
leave me now,
for you I despise.

You are an old fool,
I know it is true,
for your old like,
my grandfather, goodbye, adieu.

Pardon me,
if I am rude.
I'm trying to change,
with a new attitude.

A cut-up banana,
a bottle of gin.
If you eat this
you will be thin.

We sat there giggling,
having a little snort.
What I thought was wine,
was a simple, tasting Port.

Once upon a time,
in a land, far beyond,
where we live today,
came a new person.
Kate, with sparkling blue eyes,
a radiant smile and pleasant
personality.

How lucky can one be
to have met this person.
Nice to meet you, Kate.

My best wishes to you
as you embark on an
exciting adventure in
this new country.
God speed.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

On September 12, from a location just south of the Arctic Circle, stones of Iceland's modern Arctic Henge point skyward in this startling scene. Entertaining an intrepid group of aurora hunters during a geomagnetic storm, alluring northern lights dance across the darkened sky when a stunning fireball meteor explodes. Awestruck, the camera-equipped skygazers captured video and still images of the boreal bolide, at its peak about as bright as a full moon. Though quickly fading from view, the fireball left a lingering visible trail or persistent train. The wraith-like trail was seen for minutes wafting in the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 60 to 90 kilometers along with the auroral glow.

Photo by Jennifer Franklin

Recently, I signed up for my very first pickleball tournament. Previous to that the last time I participated in a formal athletic competition of any kind, Richard Nixon was our nation’s Commander-in-Chief. In case you’re curious what that previous sporting event was …. More at View from the Bleachers ➜

Before the Sun hits the desert floor,
Before the shade from Cactus grown,
Before the end of the hottest day,
Before my love has flown.

Time will tell our life's results
Time will run for all who see,
Time will be each of us,
Time will be the end of we.

I sit with her
and reminisce,
about our years together.
I ask myself, why they
didn't last.

True it is, we had a good life.
She is the best and
my only wife.