eyes on our skies

It seems that life is so accelerated everything is multiplied or inundates us in multiple events.

Orion Nebula M 42 Celestron C 14

Feb 15 is no different. We will be treated to three celestial events. 

The new moon. A partial solar eclipse. 

It is also the start of the Chinese New Year of the Brown Earth Dog. 

Being Asian and partially Chinese, wonder | wander | women rejoice and look forward to a most auspicious new year for us all. 

Lunar Deity Chandra, riding his celestial chariot

Being abject star gazers and nerds we are in proverbial Seventh Heaven! 

Depiction of "Muhammed's Paradise". Persian miniature

The February new moon will appear on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 21:05 UTC. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.

Astronomers Studying an Eclipse by Antoine Caron, 1571

A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon covers only a part of the Sun, sometimes resembling a bite taken out of a cookie. A partial solar eclipse can only be safely observed with a special solar filter or by looking at the Sun's reflection. This partial eclipse will only be visible in parts of Chile, Argentina, and Antarctica. (NASA Map and Eclipse Information)

Chinese New Year starts on February 16, 2018, the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice.

2018 is the year of the of the Brown Earth Dog. The last year of the Earth Dog occurred in 1958.

In the Chinese Zodiac, the Dog occupies the eleventh of twelve positions and symbolizes a loyal, kind and honest character.

Those born under the Zodiac sign of the Dog always offer support and advice to others as they value friendships above all else and often become very involved in the personal lives of others. This can give the impression of being nosy, however, ensuring happiness for all is the ultimate aim.

According to the Chinese calendar, the Dog is sincere, trustworthy and reliable with a strong sense of duty and a clearly defined moral compass. Would that we all were so in the world.

A black moon is the second new moon in a month

According to the Karma Weather 2018 Chinese horoscope, it is a good time to highlight the importance of universal values of dialogue and solidarity - characteristic values of the Chinese zodiac sign of the Dog. It is also a good time for lifestyle changes and for the start of new personal and business ventures.

Astronomy Calendar Southern Milky Way with Era Carinae Nebula and Large Magellanic Cloud over the 6000m tall Kilimanjaro taken from Amboseli NP Kenya

Watch out for selfishness, greed and ignorance - a major source of inequality on Earth. This calls for social and cultural involvement and movement - at both individual and collective level.

Focus and attend to the needs of millions of people in the world who still suffer from neglect, indifference, and rejection.

Time to apply ourselves to our fullest capacity in any way possible and conceivable.