In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is on June 21.
The term solstice is derived from the Latin words for "sun" and "to stand still."
As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher until it seems to stand still in the sky. The summer solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year.
Civilizations have celebrated the summer solstice for thousands of years, and today it is still celebrated annually in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where crowds gather to welcome the sunrise.
Monday, 20 June 2011
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Total lunar eclipse
Total Lunar Eclipse 15 June 2011
This takes place at times in the moon's orbit when it is completely hidden by the earth’s shadow, as cast by the sun.
On this occasion the moon is passing through the densest, central part of the shadow, which has the effect of making the eclipse appear darker.
The moon still remains visible, but less bright, and can take on a copper or red hue due to sunlight scattered on its surface through the earth's atmosphere.
The times when the lunar eclipse can be observed vary according to location.
In the UK it may be seen around 915pm - 10pm.
More details here: http://bit.ly/mru0Wj
This takes place at times in the moon's orbit when it is completely hidden by the earth’s shadow, as cast by the sun.
On this occasion the moon is passing through the densest, central part of the shadow, which has the effect of making the eclipse appear darker.
The moon still remains visible, but less bright, and can take on a copper or red hue due to sunlight scattered on its surface through the earth's atmosphere.
The times when the lunar eclipse can be observed vary according to location.
In the UK it may be seen around 915pm - 10pm.
More details here: http://bit.ly/mru0Wj
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
National Family Week
National Family Week runs until 5 June.
For more information visit www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk
For more information visit www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Hottest Easter for over a century
Britain has experienced the hottest Easter for over 100 years, with temperatures reaching 27 degrees C (81F) on Good Friday.
This beats the previous record of 74F in London in 1984, and is the hottest Easter since records began in the early 1900s.
Temperatures are expected to remain above average for the time of year for the rest of the month.
This beats the previous record of 74F in London in 1984, and is the hottest Easter since records began in the early 1900s.
Temperatures are expected to remain above average for the time of year for the rest of the month.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Earth Day
Earth Day 2011: A Billion Acts of Green®
Earth Day is marked today by campaigns to make the world a greener place.
These include the Canopy Project: Earth Day Network aims to plant a million trees in partnership with non‐profit organizations throughout the world. Locations where reforestation is urgently needed include Haiti, Brazil, Mexico and urban areas of the US.
For more details see www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011
Earth Day is marked today by campaigns to make the world a greener place.
These include the Canopy Project: Earth Day Network aims to plant a million trees in partnership with non‐profit organizations throughout the world. Locations where reforestation is urgently needed include Haiti, Brazil, Mexico and urban areas of the US.
For more details see www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Real Robin Hood revealed?
The story of Robin Hood has become the stuff of legend, celebrated through the centuries from early ballads up until the present day.
The outlaw and his band of merry men are most likely composites of several characters whose exploits were woven together from a blend of fact and fiction, and various suggestions have been put forward as to Robin Hood's original identity.
One popular theory is that he was Robin of Loxley, originally of noble birth but then became an outlaw who robbed the rich to give to the poor.
Another name put forward is that of 13th century farmer Robin Godberd, the subject of a new book by historian David Baldwin.
Early evidence shows that Godberd lead a band of men who ambushed wealthy travellers on their way through Sherwood Forest. He was once captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham and imprisoned in Nottingham Castle – details which tally with the story handed down over the years.
According to his Mr Baldwin’s research, Godberd lived from the early 1230s to the 1290s, and his gang were suspected of crimes including robbery, burglary, arson and poaching deer from Sherwood Forest.
Robin Hood - the English Outlaw Unmasked is available from Amberley Publishing.
The outlaw and his band of merry men are most likely composites of several characters whose exploits were woven together from a blend of fact and fiction, and various suggestions have been put forward as to Robin Hood's original identity.
One popular theory is that he was Robin of Loxley, originally of noble birth but then became an outlaw who robbed the rich to give to the poor.
Another name put forward is that of 13th century farmer Robin Godberd, the subject of a new book by historian David Baldwin.
Early evidence shows that Godberd lead a band of men who ambushed wealthy travellers on their way through Sherwood Forest. He was once captured by the Sheriff of Nottingham and imprisoned in Nottingham Castle – details which tally with the story handed down over the years.
According to his Mr Baldwin’s research, Godberd lived from the early 1230s to the 1290s, and his gang were suspected of crimes including robbery, burglary, arson and poaching deer from Sherwood Forest.
Robin Hood - the English Outlaw Unmasked is available from Amberley Publishing.
Friday, 1 April 2011
Saturn in sight
Earth will pass between Saturn and the sun on 4 April.
The ringed planet will be at its closest to us and will more shine brightly in the night sky. It will continue to be relatively close to the earth for the month ahead.
To the naked eye, the rings of Saturn are not visible, but the planet will look like a bright golden star.
The ringed planet will be at its closest to us and will more shine brightly in the night sky. It will continue to be relatively close to the earth for the month ahead.
To the naked eye, the rings of Saturn are not visible, but the planet will look like a bright golden star.
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