Goodbye February, Hello Mars?

Goodbye February, Hello Mars?

Last night, after dinner, we optimistically went out to check the planetary alignments. Geared with our telescope and binoculars, we could see Mars and Jupiter at first with the help of an app I downloaded. An hour later, as it was getting colder—it's still winter after all—we decided to head home and try to check the planetary alignments from our front or back yard. 

At home, after warming up, we set up our telescope in our front yard and found Venus, Mercury, Saturn, and even the Moon and the Sun.  It was nice to know that they were aligning. Here are some photos taken from the app we used:

We looked through our telescope and binoculars, but they were too small to be viable as pictures. 

Planetary alignment is one of the most awe-inspiring celestial events, captivating astronomers and sky watchers alike. This rare occurrence occurs when planets appear to line up in the sky from Earth's perspective, forming a straight or nearly straight line. Planetary alignments remind us of our solar system's vast and intricate dance of celestial bodies. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or a casual stargazer, witnessing one of these events is a breathtaking experience.

Planetary alignment occurs when two or more planets appear close together in the sky due to their positions in their orbits around the Sun. These alignments are not perfect because planets orbit at different speeds and distances. Instead, they create a visual illusion of being in a straight line from our vantage point on Earth.

As we bid farewell to February, we step into March (or should I say Mars?), a month named after the Roman god of war. Mars, often called the Red Planet, is one of our solar system's most fascinating celestial bodies. Mars is also frequently seen as a symbol of exploration, resilience, and the future of human space travel.  

Just as the planets follow their orbits with purpose, may our dreams and desires find their time and place. We can also look to the stars or planets with hope, wishing for alignment—not just in the cosmos but also in our lives.  

Whether we are marching forward with new goals or dreaming of interstellar journeys, may this month bring us strength, passion, and alignment—just like the planets!

I am confident and have faith that the universe will bring everything into harmony for all of us. So, let's "March" into new beginnings!