Equinox

I was about to post in another blog when I realized that not only has 2na been neglected over the summer, but also that the topic fits better here. Today we celebrate the equinox, autumnal here in the northern hemisphere, an instant when everyplace has aequam noctem. If blogger is on schedule, this will post at that instant; and if I'm on schedule, I will be finishing the last Summerfest just as summer expires.

Equinoxes are important. Most religions have some fete or other associated with them (even if they don't admit it); although more often with the vernal than this one. Sex is after all a lot more fun than anticipating staring the harvest. Last month was the Spring equinox on Saturn. It's probably a bigger deal there since they only occur once every twenty-nine⁺ Earth years. What makes it especially special is that the rings are edge-on to sun for an instant. Check it out on the Cassini Equinox Mission website, or look at the article and slide show in the msnbc Cosmic Log.

Back here, this tree, our tree, is the best and first to herald the new season. Here is its progression over the last couple weeks,

and as it is today.

Maybe I'll start a regular "Tuesday Tree" post, ... or not.