Abby, Karli, Harrison, & Kami Solar System March 28, 2017
What is astrology? Astrology is very similar to Astronomy, except Astronomy is the current scientific study and Astrology is the “ancient” look at the universe. There are many different things that can be studied within the Solar System, including the phases of the Moon, where the planets are located, and if they are near any constellations. You can also study the movement of the planets or the Sun and how it produces heat for the Solar System. We as humans, love to look up into the sky and see the Moon. At first we never knew that all of the stars and our Moon were up above us, that’s why studying the Solar System can be so interesting.
The solar system originated around five billion years ago when a cloud of dust and other particles began to stick together and form the planets and the Sun of our solar system. The center of our solar system, the Sun, began as a massive cloud of hydrogen gas that pulled in on itself with the help of gravity and created a self sustaining, nuclear fusing star. The planets followed suit as their keystone particles began to latch onto one another and form bigger and more massive “protoplanets”, which would then form the moons and planets of our solar system. There have been many theories regarding the solar system and how it functions, For example in the Middle Ages the common theory was the earth was the center of the solar system and our universe. These theories would be debunked over time with the contributions of Ptolemy and Copernicus (Both pushing the newer heliocentric theory of the solar system), Galileo with the telescope and the founding of new planets and moons (Jupiter’s moons and other spatial bodies unknown to man at the time), and Johannes Kepler who found that the orbits of the planets around the sun were elliptical which challenged the preconceived notion that the orbits were perfectly circular around the sun.
In Astronomy, New Moon is known as the first phase of the Moon, when Earth can not see the Moon and we have a dark night sky with no Moon in sight, that is what we know as a New Moon. The reason you can’t see the Moon when it is New is because the Sun, Earth and Moon are all aligned in one line and the Moon is behind the Earth completely away from the Sun so it’s light does not shine on the Moon. As we know Earth and every other planet revolves around the Sun and all the planets, except Mercury and Venus, have one or more Moons revolving around them so the Sun shines light that illuminates light off the surface of the Moon and bounces that light onto the surface of the Earth. The phase of the Moon changes daily depending on where the Moon is positioned relative to the Earth and Sun.
Reporter: Kami
Yesterday’s Details
Today March 28, 2017, the cycle of the Moon is currently starting over, at the New Moon. The Moon rose during 7:32 A.M. at 88 degrees East and will set during 8:17 P.M. at 276 degrees West. There are 227,461 miles between Richmond, Va and the Moon. The Moon is in Pisces as well as the Sun. They’re both here because the Moon is a New Moon. Today the Sun rose during 7:00 A.M. at 85 degrees East and will set at 7:29 P.M. at 275 degrees West. From Richmond, Va the Sun is 92.771 million miles away. Today there will be 12 hours, 28 minutes, and 17 seconds of daylight. The planets locations are listed below as well as their locations: Venus is in Pisces, Jupiter is in Virgo, Mercury is in Pisces, Saturn is in Sagittarius, Mars is in Aries, Uranus is in Pisces, and Neptune is in Aquarius. The next Meteor Shower will be during the night of April 21, 2017. So, start watching the skies at night!
https://www.timeanddate.com/Sun/usa/richmond
Zodiac Signs have changed!
Rachel’s Story:
All my life I thought I was a Capricorn, but it turns out I am a Sagittarius! All those horoscopes were lies. Because of an astronomical phenomenon, constellations have moved since they were first discovered some 2,000 years ago. This means that most Capricorns aren't Capricorn at all. When I got over my initial shock, I looked up the characteristics of each sign. According to www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com, Capricorns are responsible, disciplined, and have good self-control. On the other hand, a Sagittarius is generous, idealistic, and have a good sense of humor. Of those two, I still feel as if I fall under Capricorn more so than Sagittarius, but maybe I'm still in denial. The Capricorn and Sagittarius constellations are visible in the summer.
Emily’s Story:
The month of November falls in between two horoscopes, Libra and Scorpio. It has always been that my birth date was a part of Scorpio, but apparently the sun was located in Libra when I was born. Horoscopes are actually very well known and seen on social media quite often, you’d be surprised how many people look them and wonder how well they really match their sign. A Libra is cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, and social. While some weaknesses are being indecisive, avoids confrontations, and will carry a grudge. Libras element is air. A Scorpio is resourceful, brave, passionate, stubborn, and a true friend. While some of it’s weaknesses are distrusting, jealous, and violent. Scorpios element is water. I could definitely be a little bit of both! Characteristics of both signs found at http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/. The Libra and Scorpio constellations are visible in the early summer.
Mikayla’s Story:
My birthday is April 15th, which falls under Pisces according to sidereal zodiac signs. However, according to the tropical zodiac signs, I am an Aries. The difference between sidereal and tropical zodiac signs are the shifts of the equinoxes by a correction called ayanamsa. Ayanamsa is the sanskrit term in Indian astronomy for the amount of precession. In astrology, this is the longitudinal difference between the Tropical and Sidereal zodiac signs. According to http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/ , Aries are courageous, determined, confident, optimistic, passionate, impatient, and aggressive. Pisces are compassionate, artistic, intuitive, overly trusting, and fearful. I still feel as though I’m an Aries, so I will continue to identify as one. The Pisces and Aries constellations are visible in spring time.
Jacob's story:
For my whole life I thought I was a Cancer. I figured out that I am actually a Gemini. According to http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/ Cancer’s are tenacious, imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, and persuasive, but my actual zodiac sign, Gemini, says I am gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, and I have the ability to learn quickly. To be fair my sign only changed by two days, and horoscopes and zodiac signs don’t actually do or mean anything. They are basically pointless and I don’t really care about them (this is my opinion on the matter). So oh well. These constellations are easiest to see in spring.
