Hi everybody

Here's the latest article from the Astronomy site at BellaOnline.com.

Winter Solstice
For six months, each day has been shorter than the last, the Sun lower in the sky. Will it disappear altogether and leave the people bereft in the dark cold winter? The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year and is associated with more festivals than any other astronomical event.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art179016.asp

*We’re still here*
So, Earth wasn’t hit by any invisible rogue planets, asteroids or comets. (They would have had to be invisible or someone would have seen them. There are lots of amateur astronomers around the world with internet access.) Here is a discussion that was going on in the Astronomy forum about the supposed solstice apocalypse. http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/795217/End_of_the_world_Again_Yawn#Post795217

*Holiday cards*
If you still haven’t sent holiday greetings to friends and family, the European Space Agency has a selection of images that you can use to send e-cards. And remember, if you’re very busy before Christmas, surely the New Year is also part of the holiday, isn’t it? http://greetings.esa.int/index.php

Hubble Images has a beautiful selection of holiday cards, but they’re designed for printing. If you need to send a card, I think that “Happy New Year” is definitely your option. http://hubblesite.org/gallery/holiday/

*The Physics of Santa*
Physics.Org takes a look at the physics of Santa’s delivering the presents on Christmas Eve. http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=93 (Don’t let the children see it!)

Best wishes to you all for whatever festival you may be celebrating this winter.

For a variety of astronomy images, follow me on Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/astrobella/

To participate in online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Astronomy located here - http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=323

Please visit astronomy.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Astronomy.

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I welcome your feedback!

Do pass this message along to family and friends who might also be interested. Remember it's free and without obligation.

I wish you clear skies.

Mona Evans,
Astronomy Editor

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