Shine on Harvest Moon!

Space Weather News for Oct. 2, 2009

http://spaceweather.com

HARVEST MOON: This weekend’s full Moon has a special name–the Harvest Moon. It’s the full moon closest to the northern autumnal equinox (Sept. 22). In years past, farmers depended on the light of the Harvest Moon to gather ripening crops late into the night. Now we appreciate it mainly for its beauty.  Go outside this weekend and enjoy the moonlight.

SOLAR MINIMUM RETURNS: Two sunspots, which appeared on the autumnal equinox to break several months of extreme solar quiet, have faded away, leaving the sun blank once again. The deepest solar minimum in nearly a hundred years appears poised to continue. NASA spacecraft are now reporting a surge in cosmic rays around Earth caused, somewhat ironically, by this low solar activity.  The full story may be found at http://spaceweather.com .

 

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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12 Comments

  1. Navarricano says:

    I was out admiring it yesterday evening; the night sky was perfectly clear and “Sister Moon’s” brilliance took my breath away. Absolutely gorgeous.

  2. J Kusske says:

    Zhong Qiu Jie kuai le!

  3. dimsum says:

    It’s time to have some mooncakes…..happy Moon Festival Father!

  4. MOONCAKES! YES! I forget about that!

  5. Jordanes says:

    It was cloudy and rainy last night — didn’t get to see the moon.

  6. Girgadis says:

    Please enlighten me: what is a mooncake?

  7. Luke says:

    Hilarious! LOL

  8. patrick_f says:

    for a moment…I had no idea what was the point of Laurel and Hardy (or however it was spelled :)) , Shows my age. Very nice and appropriate though

  9. Art says:

    @Girgadis:

    It’s a chinese cake about the size of your palm, usually filled with lotus bean paste and a salted egg yolk to represent the moon.

  10. Girgadis says:

    Thank you Art.

  11. Bornacatholic says:

    Harvest Moon was, for me, a time of melancholia. At this time of year my memory would raise to consciousness tombstones upon which would be carved quotes from past books I had read; like the one from Whittaker Chambers, “Witness,” in which he described his brother standing in the doorway staring at the downpour, and sotto voce, observing, “It’s maining.” (Chambers’ brother later committed suicide).

    Beginning at The Harvest Moon, as the light withdrew my darkness grew.I know that I am not the only Christian who has had such difficulties in the past. I solved mine by moving south.

    At EF Mass, this Fall and Winter, try to remember in your prayers those afflicted by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and the entire range of depressive illnesses.

    St. Dymphna, pray for us.

  12. Luke says:

    It’s something to imagine how “all the stars of the morning were singing with joy” as
    God laid the cornerstones of the earth (Jb 38:7). And yet, as Job continues, the Lord
    weaves us into existence as well; “he watches each breath of ours with tender care”
    (10:11-12). The glory of creation compels us to sing with the psalmist: “for all these
    mysteries I thank you: for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works” (Ps 139:14).

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