Friday, March 18, 2011
Weekend full moon biggest in about 20 years
If the moon looks a little bit bigger and brighter this weekend, there's a reason for that. It is.
Saturday's full moon will be a super "perigee moon" -- the biggest in almost 20 years. This celestial event is far rarer than the famed blue moon, which happens once about every two-and-a-half years.
"The last full moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," said Geoff Chester with the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. "I'd say it's worth a look."
Full moons look different because of the elliptical shape of the moon's orbit. When it's at perigee, the moon is about 31,000 miles (50,000 km) closer to Earth than when it's at the farthest point of its orbit, also known as apogee.
Full Worm Moon – March... As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter.
If the moon looks a little bit bigger and brighter this weekend, there's a reason for that. It is.
Saturday's full moon will be a super "perigee moon" -- the biggest in almost 20 years. This celestial event is far rarer than the famed blue moon, which happens once about every two-and-a-half years.
"The last full moon so big and close to Earth occurred in March of 1993," said Geoff Chester with the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington. "I'd say it's worth a look."
Full moons look different because of the elliptical shape of the moon's orbit. When it's at perigee, the moon is about 31,000 miles (50,000 km) closer to Earth than when it's at the farthest point of its orbit, also known as apogee.
Full Worm Moon – March... As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I EXHORT MY BLOG BUDS TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE JAPAN CRISIS VIA CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES...NO MATTER HOW SMALL...EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS.THEY HAVE PAYPAL ON THEIR SITE...MAKING IT EASIER TO DONATE.
THOSE VACUOUS-MINDED MUSLIMS ARE AT IT AGAIN...
Muslims ask for use of empty French churches
Catholic Culture 16 March 2011
Muslims in France have asked for the use of empty Catholic churches, saying that this would "prevent Muslims from having to pray in the streets." Father Samir Khalil Samir, a Jesuit expert on Islam, explains why the proposal is absurd.
Christian churches are consecrated: sacred places, dedicated to worship, Father Samir says. If they are now empty, it is not by design; they are intended to be filled by a Christian community. (...)
Muslims ask for use of empty French churches
Catholic Culture 16 March 2011
Muslims in France have asked for the use of empty Catholic churches, saying that this would "prevent Muslims from having to pray in the streets." Father Samir Khalil Samir, a Jesuit expert on Islam, explains why the proposal is absurd.
Christian churches are consecrated: sacred places, dedicated to worship, Father Samir says. If they are now empty, it is not by design; they are intended to be filled by a Christian community. (...)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
FROM INTERRUPTING THE SILENCE
A Litany for Japan
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,Have mercy upon us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us and for the people of Japan.
Hear our prayers, O Christ our God. Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all who have died in the earthquake and tsunami striking Japan that they may be given entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of all your saints, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all who grieve the death of family, friends, and fellow citizens that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit that they may be comforted, healed, and given courage and hope, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all aid workers, that they may be filled with strength, generosity, and compassion, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For the wisdom, resources, and technological skill that a nuclear disaster might be averted, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For eyes to see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and linked our lives one to another that we may never forget our common life depends on each other’s toil and that we will always work for the common good, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Litany for Japan
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,Have mercy upon us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us and for the people of Japan.
Hear our prayers, O Christ our God. Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all who have died in the earthquake and tsunami striking Japan that they may be given entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of all your saints, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all who grieve the death of family, friends, and fellow citizens that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit that they may be comforted, healed, and given courage and hope, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For all aid workers, that they may be filled with strength, generosity, and compassion, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For the wisdom, resources, and technological skill that a nuclear disaster might be averted, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
For eyes to see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and linked our lives one to another that we may never forget our common life depends on each other’s toil and that we will always work for the common good, Arise, O Christ, and help us.
Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Celebrate Pi Day!
The Ides of March are coming tomorrow, but today is Pi Day! The Greek letter π is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle, equivalent to 3.1415926535...
We can't let the mathematicians have all the fun. Classicists love the number π because it's also a Greek consonant letter!
Pi day is celebrated every March 14, the fourteenth day of the third month, or 3/14.
To find out more about Pi Day, visit the Official Pi Day website, where you can find out all about the history of pi, discuss the number pi, send an e-card, buy pi stuff, get ideas for your own pi party, and much more! There are also some great lesson ideas at the Teach Pi website.
A lesser known, and less-often celebrated mathematical holiday is Square Root Day.
The Ides of March are coming tomorrow, but today is Pi Day! The Greek letter π is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle, equivalent to 3.1415926535...
We can't let the mathematicians have all the fun. Classicists love the number π because it's also a Greek consonant letter!
Pi day is celebrated every March 14, the fourteenth day of the third month, or 3/14.
To find out more about Pi Day, visit the Official Pi Day website, where you can find out all about the history of pi, discuss the number pi, send an e-card, buy pi stuff, get ideas for your own pi party, and much more! There are also some great lesson ideas at the Teach Pi website.
A lesser known, and less-often celebrated mathematical holiday is Square Root Day.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
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