The stars, the stars, and the Planet Mars.

[byronius]

http://earthsky.org/tonight

Two months from now – on July 27, 2018 – it’ll be Mars’ opposition, its first opposition in two years and its best one since 2003. Jupiter is brighter than Mars now, but just wait! From about July 7 to September 7, 2018, Mars will supersede Jupiter in brightness … and it’ll shine with a red color!

In fact, in late July, Mars will shine better than 30 times brighter than stars like Spica and Antares, two of the brightest stars in our sky.

I officially don't believe in Heavenly Portents. But I was just walking my dog and the sky was brilliant, a huge moon and Jupiter next to it, Spica and Antares gleaming like the massive alien orbs they are --

So I looked it up.

Mars. Red in the sky. Thirty times brighter than Spica.

Coming July 7th.

For some reason the superstitious peasant/primate in me says this sounds just about right, and on so many levels.

Oh, but posh.

Mere lights in the sky. Baubles, the playthings of gods and the mysteries of man.

(Mars grant us the luck to set things right and right soon)

Ahem.

[kentuck]

1. It is when Mars teams up with the Moon...

in conjunction or opposition, that it is most unpredictable.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

2. I was admiring the sky last night...

... and knew it was one of the planets to the left of the moon.

Thanks.

[kentuck]

3. In my opinion...

...the stars and planets are reflections of ourselves.