Fun Facts Friday: Watching the Sky

The Lyrids meteor shower will peak this year on the night of April 21-22. If you know me, you know I am a skywatcher. I typically love anything about space. I will pull out the telescope to watch the Space Station fly over, eclipses, meteor showers, and other sky phenomenon. Here are five (5) fun facts about the Lyrids: Ancient Observations: The Lyrid meteor shower is one of the oldest known meteor showers, with records of its observations dating back over 2,600 years. Chinese astronomers recorded the Lyrids in 687 BC. Origin: The Lyrid meteor shower is caused by the Read More

Mindset Mondays: What’s In Your Glass?

What is in your glass? Is it half-full or half-empty? A half-empty glass will not allow you to reach your goals. Researchers have shown that when it comes to your goals, you only reach what you can see or what you can clearly imagine. It does not matter if your goals are large or small. If your brain can’t ‘see it,’ you probably won’t get it. The glass is a metaphor for what we actually believe or what we can imagine. Our brains will work hardest at helping us obtain those things that you can most clearly imagine, if your glass Read More

Friday Fun Facts: Total Eclipse Crossroads

Total solar eclipses do not happen often, but did you know that the city of Carbondale, Illinois, is beloved as the Total Eclipse Crossroads of America? Carbondale is the largest city (around 25,000 in population) within the ‘X’, where the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses cross paths. The geographic center is a small village just south of Carbondale, known as Makanda. During the total solar eclipse, on Monday, April 8th, Carbondale will see four minutes and nine seconds of totality — which is double what occurred on August 21, 2017. Check out the map below.  ‘X’ marks the spot.  Regardless Read More