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  1. The Night Sky for the Week of 3-7-21

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    Now that it is almost spring, look for the dim constellation of Cancer between Gemini and Leo. The great winter star Sirius continues to blaze brightly in the southern evening sky. Together with Betelgeuse (in Orion’s Shoulder) and Procyon to the upper left of Sirius, these three stars make up the winter triangle. In the southeastern sky just before dawn, look for the waning crescent Moon close …Read More

  2. Astronomical Events for March 2021

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    As winter ends and spring begins, there will be some great astronomical events. It begins with a Jupiter-Mercury conjunction on the morning of March 5. The spring equinox will be on March 20. Lastly, a full moon will occur on March 28th. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/top-3-astronomy-events-march-2021/906884…Read More

  3. Ancient Foods for Today

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    Here are five ancient foods that can still be tried today. Borscht is probably the most well-known of the 5 ancient foods. But the other foods look delicious. https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history/ancient-food-0014992…Read More

  4. The Night Sky for the Week of 2-28-21

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    It is still winter, but the star of spring Arcturus rises about an hour after dark. Spring will officially be here in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, the star Sirius continues to twinkle brightly. The other bright star of winter Aldebaran and the Pleiades are joined by the planet Mars. They will be easier to see by the end of the week, because the moon will be gone from the evening sky. https://skya…Read More

  5. Mysterious Places- The Plain of Jars

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    In the Asian country of Laos, there is a site called the Plain of Jars. It is a megalithic site, that has around 3000 jars made of stone, that are up to 9.8 feet tall. Some jars are made of hard rocks such as granite and limestone, but most are made of sandstone. The people who built this site are unknown. https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/mysterious-plain-megalithic-jars-001072…Read More

  6. Classical Mythology- Zoroastrian Creation Story

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    We are coming up on the Persian New Years, called Nowruz, on March 21st. In ancient times Persians were Zoroastrians. There are two main deities in Zoroastrianism. Ahura Mazda is the good supreme deity and creator of the world (Six Amesha Spenta Holy Immortals created the rest of the universe), who is challenged by the evil deity named Angra Mainyu.  These two deities are locked in conflict. http…Read More

  7. The Night Sky for the Week of 2-21-21

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    The moon returns to winter evening sky this week. It is located in the southern sky between Taurus,  the Pleiades, and the planet Mars. Take note of the star Aldebaran, which is the eye of Taurus the Bull. Also, the belt stars of Orion points to Aldebaran. Back to the Moon, which early on Friday morning will enter its full phase. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glan…Read More

  8. Ancient Dentistry

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    Paleo-anthropologists in Italy have have identified the oldest example of dentistry. The teeth had cavities, which had been drilled out, while others had also been filled. Other examples of ancient dentistry are from ancient Egypt. These included dental bridges. https://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-science/jewel-capped-teeth-and-golden-bridges-14000-years-dentistry-001427…Read More

  9. Chinese Lunar New Year

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    A new lunar year has begun. This is the Year of the Ox, which began on February 12, 2021. In China, the new lunar year is a time to honor deities and ancestors. Japan, Korea, and Vietnam also share the Chinese New Year date. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year…Read More

  10. The Night Sky for the Week of 2-14-21

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    It is Valentines and there are many lovely things to see in the heavens this week. Orion and Taurus continues to grace the high eastern evening sky. The planet Mars joins them to the lower right of the bright star Aldebaran in Taurus.  Friday evening, look for the first-quarter moon between Aldebaran and the constellation of the Pleiades. Below Orion, the Dog Star Sirius twinkles brightly.  http…Read More