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- 🌞 Rare Event Tomorrow
Sunday, June 2nd, 2024
Good Morning! 🌞
June is here and it’s getting HOT! The perfect time to make some homemade popsicles.
Today’s Upside
Science
Rare Planetary Event Tomorrow
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune in a planetary alignment on June 3, 2024, as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. The image is based on data from the Sky Tonight app.
A rare astronomical event is set to occur tomorrow: a planetary alignment, where six planets—Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune, and Saturn—will line up across the sky. This event offers a unique opportunity for sky watchers to witness a spectacular sight. If you missed the recent display of the northern lights, this alignment presents another chance to observe a remarkable celestial phenomenon.
A planetary alignment happens when the orbits of several planets bring them to roughly the same side of the sun at the same time. As a result, these planets appear in a straight line when viewed from Earth, creating a striking visual effect in the night sky. However, it's important to clarify that this alignment, often referred to as a planetary parade, does not mean the planets are in a straight line in space.
According to Pattle, an expert in astronomy, a true straight-line alignment in space is called a syzygy, which is a much rarer event. The current alignment occurs because all the planets, including Earth, orbit the sun in roughly the same orientation, a plane known as the Ecliptic. When these planets are on the same side of the sun as each other, they appear to form a line in the sky from our viewpoint on Earth.
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be spotted with the naked eye, but you will need a telescope or high-powered binoculars to see Neptune and Uranus.
All six planets (as well as the moon) should be visible roughly 20 minutes before sunrise. If you want an exact time for the event, I would recommend downloading the free Sky Tonight app. The app should tell you the exact time and direction to look for your specific area.
Also, if you miss it on the third, don’t worry. While they are in line the most on the third, the will be close together for quite a few days afterwards.
Culture
The ‘Library of Things’
The Share LoT – credit, Upstream Podcast
Does your two-year-old need a winter coat for a skiing holiday that they will outgrow by next winter? Do you want to see a cosmic event but don't want to buy a telescope? Have you considered taking up photography but are hesitant to spend $1,000 on a camera?
A new trend called the “library of things” (LoT) is helping consumers avoid unnecessary purchases. At a LoT, you can rent almost anything, from baby clothes to air fryers.
There are over 2,000 LoTs in the English-speaking world and Central Europe, with half opening in the last five years. Some have been around since 1976.
E-waste and fast fashion are major problems for landfills and recycling companies. If you're tired of throwaway culture, check if there's a LoT near you. Each LoT has its own system, but typically you set up an account and pay a rental fee based on the duration and season.
The range of items available for rent is extensive. Instead of buying something you might only use a few times, you can rent it from a LoT. For example, a DeWalt table saw has been loaned out 321 times to 211 different people, and camping gear has been used for over 250 days in the past year, according to Gene Homicki, co-founder of LoT organizer myTurn.
You can rent camping equipment, sporting goods, fast fashion, baby clothes, gardening tools, electronics, specialty cooking items, furniture, pet supplies, hobby gear, musical instruments, fitness equipment, and more. This helps keep items out of landfills and helps the bills stay lower.
Environment
Butterfly Forest Aids Research
Copyright AP Photo/Luca Bruno
The Butterfly Forest, established this spring, aims to raise public awareness about MUSE's research in the Udzungwa Mountains, focusing on biodiversity conservation.
Located in a greenhouse in Trento, Italy, the Butterfly Forest houses various butterfly species, with pupae suspended as they mature. The project, created by the Museo delle Scienze (MUSE), replicates the biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania, a global biodiversity hotspot.
The exhibit includes endemic plant species and various animals, spanning 600 square meters with cliffs, inclines, and a waterfall. It highlights the threats to biodiversity, such as deforestation and climate change, by showcasing butterflies as indicators of environmental health.
Lisa Angelini, MUSE's greenhouse director, emphasizes that the goal is to improve understanding of biodiversity issues. Butterflies, being pollinators and food sources for other animals, are sensitive to environmental changes, making them key indicators for scientists studying ecosystem health.
The Udzungwa Mountains host over 2,500 plant species, 120 mammals, and thousands of invertebrates, including more than 40 endemic butterfly species. The region's biodiversity underscores the importance of MUSE's work, as highlighted by Sevgan Subramanian from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
Gobbi warns that the decline in butterfly populations, supported by scientific research, signifies a broader crisis in insect biodiversity, threatening the balance of ecosystems and the planet's sustainability.
We all know the weekends are for rest and relaxation, but there’s also something comforting about being able to 'reset’ the previous week and getting a head start for the week to come. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to do your own "Sunday Reset"
Brain Dump On a lazy Sunday morning, as you're relishing a bit of extra sleep, suddenly your mind kicks into overdrive. Thoughts flood in about the tasks looming for the week ahead — dinner plans, looming deadlines, the overwhelming to-do list.
But there's a simple fix: a brain dump.
Grab any handy surface—a piece of paper, your trusty notebook, or the notes app on your phone—and jot down every single thought that's racing through your mind. No exceptions. Once it's on paper, it's like a weight lifted off your shoulders. Instant relief.
Plan The Week Now, facing that list may seem daunting, but remember, you're the boss of your life. Time to get organized. Open up your planner, Google Calendar, or whatever system you use to keep things on track.
Here's how I do it:
Review your brain dump list and prioritize your tasks. Schedule the most crucial ones for early in the week, and save the less urgent ones for later.
Chores, Chores, Chores Nobody loves them, but they've got to be done. Simplify your life by creating a list of chores that need attention weekly, biweekly, and monthly. It'll help you stay on top of what needs doing and what can wait.
Meal Prep Let's face it, cooking every night is a luxury most of us can't afford. Instead, whip up meals that can stretch across a couple of nights, prep snacks for the week, or roast a big batch of veggies to have on hand. Less stress, more time saved.
Charge All Electronics Don't forget about your gadgets! Make sure everything from your laptop to your Fitbit is juiced up and ready to roll. There's nothing worse than reaching for a device only to find it dead.
Relax & Do Absolutely Nothing Ah, the best part of the day—doing nothing. It's time to unwind, fire up Netflix, pour yourself a glass of wine or tea, and just veg out on the couch. You've earned it.
No guilt about scrolling through social media, binge-watching reality TV, or taking a nap. You've already tackled the week's challenges, so kick back and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. If something's left undone, it can wait until tomorrow. No sweat!
Mind Stretchers
⁉️
How did the hobbit ruin the boxing match?
Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
The answer is 13 , 8 , 7 and 16, or B. Fill in the numbers to check this addition puzzle.
Chris Hostetler got the correct answer first!
The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to the email.
From the Community
If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured