Finally, Sunshine!!

Another inch and three quarters of rain, pushing the monthly total to over 7" and the year total over 70" but the sun is back and there is no hint of clouds. Today's temps could reach into the mid-50's, a big change after being stuck in the 30's yesterday and 40's before that. As warm as that will feel, it's still below the low 60's average highs for mid-November. The Shenandoah Valley schools are out again today with ice and snow to deal with. The northeast is also dealing with the first winter weather of the season. If the precipitation continues the way it has for '18 into the new year, we are in for a snowy winter. But, as mentioned again and again on this blog, change is the way on Earth and there is no rain in the forecast for at least a week and a warming planet could keep most precipitation in the Old Dominion cold rain this winter; we'll know what kind of winter is was in April.

Yesterday was a quiet day of quakes

Today is rocking with serious shakes

3 quakes above magnitude six

On land, that would mean buildings to fix

But, those big shakes were on the sea floor

Yet, no tsunamis seemed to wash ashore

Still, likely more quakes to come today

And, you never know, could be coming your way!!

The moon was just below and west of Mars last night, no chance of seeing that here, but will still be near the red planet tonight, pin high and just east. Mars is moving (from our view) from Capricorn into Aquarius and is slightly gibbous in its right angle position relative to the sun and Earth. Saturn is getting lower and lower in the west each night, still hanging above the teapot of Sagittarius. The third asteroid discovered, Juno, is as close to Earth as it has been in almost 40 years or will be for another 40+. It's only the 11th largest asteroid but is quite bright, still you'll need a scope to spot it west of Orion and south of Taurus. The next week will be excellent for checking out the late Autumn sky but a waxing moon will wash out dim stars and the galaxy, so, bundle up and get out and check it out - I recommend dusk myself, watch your universe turn on its lights, Tonight On Earth.