5:00 a.m. November 4th 2025, budget day in Canada
Moon above Merritt BC in the Western sky going down after circling the horizon over night.
Category: Astronomy
Moon photo KDG, Beaver Moon due on the 5th. Maybe a blue moon? As this photograph from the 1st of November is telling us, there’s also predictions of lots of snow coming in November so that’s the way it goes sometimes…
Conjunction with Saturn this AM.
Fall
Tom Edwards prunes the tree at the Bailey house downtown information center on Voght Street in Merritt, BC. Somebody said careful that ladder don’t fall and guess what? In Merritt, there’s only a few leaves that have turned color.
Moon October 2025
Photo KDG
Just to frost temperature over night October 6 forecast low 32f.
The full moon this October is a supermoon and on the 6th the forecast for the temperature in Merritt, 600 meters above sea level and in the BC Central South interior will experience another super hunter/harvest Moon.
When and wear
The full Harvest Moon on October 6, 2025, is a significant celestial event, as it is also a Supermoon.Harvest Supermoon DetailsTime of FullnessThe Moon will reach its moment of peak illumination (fullness) at 8:48 P.M. PDT on Monday, October 6, 2025, in Merritt, British Columbia.Moonrise and DirectionFor observers in Merritt, BC, the full Moon will: * Rise at 6:09 P.M. PDT on Monday, October 6, 2025. * Direction: It will rise generally towards the East, near the horizon, a characteristic of the full Moon around the autumnal equinox. The optimal time to view its golden-orange hue is shortly after it rises.The Supermoon EffectThe Harvest Moon on October 6, 2025, is the first of three consecutive Supermoons this year, meaning it occurs close to perigee (the Moon’s closest point to Earth in its orbit).Distance from EarthWhile the Moon’s exact distance is constantly changing, the full Moon phase on October 6 will be at a close distance. The closest point in the orbit (perigee) for this full moon period is around 226,250 miles (approximately 364,117 kilometers). This distance is significantly closer than the average Earth-Moon distance of about 239,000 miles.Why it’s a SupermoonA Supermoon is a full Moon that occurs near perigee. Due to this closer distance, it will appear slightly larger (about 6.6% larger) and noticeably brighter (about 13% brighter) than a typical full Moon.What makes it the Harvest MoonThe Harvest Moon is simply the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox (the start of fall). Because the equinox in 2025 was on September 22, the full Moon on October 6 is the closest one to that date, earning it the title of Harvest Moon. This timing causes the Moon to rise relatively close to sunset for several nights, providing extra twilight illumination for farmers, which is how it got its name.
Triple view
October’s night sky offers two excellent meteor showers and the best view of a giant ringed planet. Here are three worthy activities to look for this month:
Orionid Meteor Shower
1. The Orionid Meteor Shower ☄️| What & Why It’s Special | How & When to See It ||—|—|| What’s Special: The Orionids are the remnants of Comet 1P/Halley—yes, that Halley’s Comet! This makes them particularly notable. They are known for being fast and bright, occasionally producing brilliant, long-lasting trails (persistent trains) in the atmosphere. | Peak: The night of October 21–22. || Worthy of Seeing: Although it’s a modest shower (up to 10-20 meteors per hour), the link to one of history’s most famous comets makes it a must-see. The meteors are quick, adding excitement to the viewing. | Best Time: After midnight and before dawn on October 22. The radiant (where the meteors appear to originate) is highest in the sky just before sunrise. || | Viewing Conditions: Excellent in 2025 because the peak occurs near the New Moon (Oct 21), meaning minimal moonlight interference for the darkest skies. Look anywhere in the sky, but the shower radiates from the constellation Orion.
Draconid Meteor Shower
|2. The Draconid Meteor Shower 🐉| What & Why It’s Special | How & When to See It ||—|—|| What’s Special: The Draconids are debris from Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner. Unlike most showers, their radiant point is highest in the sky in the evening, making them a great option for early night watchers and kids. Most years, it’s a minor shower (around 5-10 per hour), but it’s famous for periodic outbursts that have delivered meteor storms (hundreds or thousands per hour) in the past. | Peak: The evening of October 8. || Worthy of Seeing: The possibility of an unpredictable outburst is the main draw. Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner was recently at perihelion in March 2025, which might increase the chance of a better-than-average display. | Best Time: Soon after dusk and before midnight on October 8. ||
| Viewing Conditions: Unfavorable due to a very bright Full Moon (Oct 6) that will significantly wash out fainter meteors. You’ll need to face away from the Moon or use a building/tree to block its light to have the best chance. The radiant is in the constellation Draco (the Dragon). |
Saturn
3. Planet Saturn 🪐| What & Why It’s Special | How & When to See It ||—|—|| What’s Special: Saturn, the beautiful ringed gas giant, reached its brightest and closest point to Earth (opposition) in late September 2025, meaning it remains a spectacular object throughout October. | Peak: Visible all month long in the night sky. || Worthy of Seeing: Saturn is one of the most stunning celestial bodies, even through a small telescope. Its distinct, massive ring system makes it instantly recognizable and a favorite for amateur astronomers. | Best Time: Saturn is visible almost all night long in October. Look for it to rise in the east/southeast around sunset. || | Viewing Conditions: You can easily spot Saturn as a steady, bright yellowish “star” visible to the naked eye. To see its rings, you will need a small telescope. You can also observe it passing near the Moon in the first week of October: on October 5, the Moon passes close to Saturn. |
happy viewing
Corn,Moon
Photo KDG September 6 2025 circa
21: 40 hrs
Merritt BC Canada
Statement as of 9:53 PM Pacific,
The name “Wednesday” comes from Old English Wōdnesdæg, which means “Woden’s day,” named after the Germanic god Woden (or Odin in Norse mythology). This deity was associated with wisdom, war, and poetry, and played a significant role in the Germanic pantheon.
Cultural Origins and Influences:
- Germanic and Norse Cultures:
- The naming is directly linked to tribal Germanic names for days of the week, influenced by Roman culture. In Norse mythology, Woden is akin to the Roman god Mercury, which is reflected in other languages.
- Latin Influence:
- In Latin, Wednesday is dies Mercurii, or “day of Mercury,” representing the Roman god of commerce and communication. The influence of Roman culture substantially shaped the way days were named in various languages.
Subversion of Other Cultures:
- Roman and Greek Practices:
- The adaptation of “Wednesday” across Germanic languages shows a subversion of the original Latin systems by integrating local deities into the calendar, transforming a standard naming convention into one that reflects local beliefs and mythology.
- Christian Influence:
- In some Christian contexts, Wednesday is associated with the day of preparation for the weekend, which may contrast with earlier pagan practices.
Conclusion:
The evolution of the term “Wednesday” illustrates how local traditions can adapt and reframe elements of dominant cultures, leading to a unique blend of linguistic and cultural heritage.
Be a local Tradition today…
Maybe that recipe or quilt pattern will develop into an observance and a particular day.
August 24 Pluto Dwarfed
Pluto was discovered in 1930 and was immediately classified as the ninth planet in our solar system. However, its status was questioned over time as new discoveries were made, leading to its demotion to a dwarf planet in 2006.
The Demotion of Pluto
The International Astronomical Union (IAU), the official body for naming and classifying celestial objects, established a new, more specific definition of a planet in August 2006. To be considered a planet, a celestial body must meet three criteria:
* It must be in orbit around the Sun.
* It must have sufficient mass to be nearly round due to its own gravity.
* It must have “cleared the neighborhood” around its orbit, meaning it has become gravitationally dominant and there are no other similarly-sized objects (other than its own moons) in its orbital path.
Pluto satisfies the first two criteria, but it fails the third. It orbits in the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy objects, and its orbit is shared with many other celestial bodies. The discovery of Eris in 2005, a trans-Neptunian object that was initially thought to be larger and more massive than Pluto, was a major catalyst for the IAU to clarify its definition of a planet.
Pluto’s Current View in the Solar System
Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet and a plutoid. It is considered a prototype for a new class of objects in the outer solar system. This reclassification reflects a more accurate understanding of Pluto’s nature as one of the largest members of the Kuiper Belt, rather than as a primary planet in the same category as Earth or Jupiter.
This new classification doesn’t diminish Pluto’s importance; it simply places it in a different, more fitting category. The New Horizons mission in 2015 provided us with detailed images and data, revealing Pluto to be a complex world with mountains, glaciers, and a surprising atmosphere.
Effect on Other Orbiting Bodies
Pluto’s effect on other orbiting bodies is limited. Its small mass, roughly one-sixth of our moon’s, means its gravitational influence is not significant enough to affect the orbits of the primary planets. It does, however, have a unique orbital resonance with Neptune. Pluto completes two orbits around the Sun in the same amount of time that Neptune completes three orbits. This specific relationship prevents the two bodies from ever colliding and helps to stabilize Pluto’s orbit.
Within its own system, Pluto has a significant effect on its largest moon, Charon. The two are so close in size that their center of mass lies in the space between them, causing them to orbit a point in space rather than Charon orbiting Pluto. This is a characteristic more common in binary systems and is a testament to the unique nature of the Pluto-Charon pair.
A planetary parade is a celestial event where multiple planets appear close together in the night sky. On August 23, 2025, there will be a morning planetary parade featuring six planets—Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—visible before sunrise. The new moon also occurs on this date, providing a darker sky for better viewing.
When to Look
The best time to view the alignment is in the two hours before dawn. The exact time will depend on your specific location, so checking a stargazing app or website is recommended for the most accurate timing.
Where to Look
The planets will appear stretched across the eastern sky, following the ecliptic (the path the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to follow).
* Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter will be clustered low on the eastern horizon and are the brightest and easiest to spot. Venus and Jupiter will be particularly dazzling.
* Saturn and Neptune will be higher in the sky, toward the southeast. Saturn is visible to the naked eye, while Neptune will require binoculars or a telescope.
* Uranus will be in the southeastern sky, and similar to Neptune, you will likely need binoculars to see it.
For the best viewing experience, find a location with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon and minimal light pollution.
A Rare Alignment of Six Planets is Happening. You Should Not Miss This. This video from YouTube explains the rare planetary alignment and why you should try to view it.
Look Up
Local weather channel conditions permitting.
I’mTo photograph Jupiter and Saturn, you’ll need to work with a few key camera settings and pieces of equipment. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do to capture them, especially in the early morning.
A great opportunity for this kind of photography is happening on August 12, as Jupiter and Venus will be in a close alignment, known as a conjunction. They will appear as a single bright “double star” in the eastern sky just before sunrise. While Jupiter and Venus are the main event, Saturn will also be visible, though farther away.
Here are some general tips and settings to get you started:
* Equipment: A camera with manual controls (like a DSLR or mirrorless camera) and a sturdy tripod are essential. A telephoto lens (300-400mm or more) is highly recommended to get a decent size image of the planets.
* Camera Settings: Since the planets are very bright, you’ll need to use shorter exposure times.
* Shutter Speed: Start with a fast shutter speed, such as 1 second or less, to prevent the planets from turning into streaks due to Earth’s rotation. If you have a telescope with a clock drive (which tracks the movement of the stars), you can use longer exposures.
* Aperture: Try an aperture of around f/8.
* ISO: Use a moderate ISO setting, such as 3200, as a starting point. You can experiment with different ISOs to find the best balance between brightness and image noise.
* Focusing: Autofocus is not reliable for astrophotography. Turn it off and manually set your focus to infinity. Use your camera’s live view mode and zoom in on the planet to fine-tune the focus until it appears as small and sharp as possible.
* Technique: Use a 2-second timer or a remote shutter release to avoid shaking the camera when you press the button.
For a different approach, if you have a telescope, you can take a series of many short exposures, a technique known as “lucky imaging.” This involves using specialized software to stack the sharpest images and create a final, more detailed photo.
August 23rd dark sky…
Look Up
The August 8th full moon in Greece (which is actually on August 9th, 2025) is a truly special time, particularly for archaeological sites and museums. It’s an annual tradition that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and celestial beauty.
Here’s what makes it archaeologically significant and what to expect:
Archaeological Significance of the August Full Moon:
* Ancient Tradition and Mythology: The August full moon has deep roots in Greek mythology and ancient traditions. In antiquity, the month of August was known as “Metageitnion,” a time for festivals and celebrations, encouraging communal gatherings. The August moon was also closely associated with Selene, the Titan Goddess of the Moon, who was said to traverse the night sky in her silver chariot.
* Olympic Games Connection: Historically, the ancient Olympic Games, held in honor of Zeus at Ancient Olympia, began on the day of the August full moon, every four years. The fifty daughters of Selene were said to represent the fifty lunar months of the Olympiad, marking the beginning of these games.
* Unique Viewing Opportunity: The August full moon is often considered the brightest of the year, providing a stunning natural illumination for Greece’s ancient monuments. Seeing the brilliant white marble of the Acropolis glowing in the moonlight, or the moon hanging low over the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, is an unforgettable experience.
What to Expect During the August 8th (9th) Full Moon Week in Greece (2025):
The Greek Ministry of Culture annually organizes a series of events around the August full moon, offering a fantastic opportunity for locals and tourists alike:
* Free Admission to Archaeological Sites and Museums: This is the most significant aspect. For one night (specifically, Saturday, August 9th, 2025) and often extending for a few days around it (from August 8th to 13th in 2025), many archaeological sites, historic landmarks, and museums across Greece open their doors to the public for free after sunset, often until midnight. This tradition began in 1996.
* Cultural Events Under the Moonlight: Beyond free entry, many of these sites host special cultural events. These can include:
* Theatrical performances
* Music and dance shows
* Stargazing sessions
* Myth-telling
* Guided tours
* Exhibitions
* Film screenings
* Key Locations: Many iconic locations participate, including:
* The Acropolis Museum (Athens): Often has extended hours and special events like concerts.
* National Archaeological Museum (Athens): Offers extended hours with special exhibitions.
* Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion: A breathtaking site to visit under the full moon.
* Archaeological Site of Kerameikos (Athens)
* Archaeological sites in Macedonia: Such as Pella (capital of ancient Macedon) and ancient Stagira (Aristotle’s birthplace).
* Sites on various Greek islands: Including Gortyna in Crete, and museums and castles on islands like Kalymnos, Karpathos, Skyros, Zakynthos, Kythera, and Kefalonia.
* Magical Atmosphere: The combination of ancient ruins, the bright full moon, and cultural events creates a truly magical and memorable experience, allowing visitors to connect with Greece’s rich heritage in a unique setting.
It’s advisable to check the official website of the Greek Ministry of Culture closer to the date for the detailed program of events for 2025, as specific activities and participating sites can vary slightly each year.
To view and plan visit the buttons to the links available.
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 