THIS issue of the North Shore News contains our annual astrological dissection of the year ahead.
For some, the concept of predicting life by star-gazing is anathema. For others, "checking their stars" is a daily occurrence. For most, we suspect, astrology is harmless fun that might occasionally offer a life raft when events threaten to overwhelm. It is not part of, nor antithetical to, faith, but it might lead you there while questing for an understanding of forces larger than ourselves. If it makes you think. . . .
Of course, the theories of astrology would not exist without the astronomy that underpins them. Mankind looked up when it stood up and has tried to make sense of where it fits into the cosmos ever since. That need to understand and connect drives our obsession for naming, dating and ordering. While we may not have arrived at all the answers, we can at least predict a few heavenly events in 2013 that should be worth watching - clouds permitting.
Jan. 21: High in the evening sky, look for the closest conjunction of the moon and Jupiter until 2026.
June 23: The moon will be at its closest point to Earth and providing the largest full moon of 2013.
Aug. 12: The Perseid meteor shower will show well in 2013 as the moon will go to bed early that night.
Mid-November to mid-December: The newly discovered comet ISON should be visible in the morning and evening sky.
Dec. 14,15: The Geminid meteor shower is flashier than the Perseids, but you will have to wait until late in the night to enjoy it.
