Hi everybody

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

Hydra the Water Snake – Myths and Stars
What links the biggest constellation in the sky with the flag of Brazil? Why is the star V Hydrae bright red? How did the hero Hercules vanquish a nine-headed monster? Read all about it here.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art302204.asp

*Seasonal Stories*
(1) Christmas in the Skies tells about some events that occurred on Christmas Day, including the astronauts who spent Christmas farther from home than any person had ever been before them.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36154.asp
(2) Cosmic White Christmas tours some wintry effects in the sky.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art300463.asp
(3) What Was the Star of Bethlehem considers some astronomical events that might have been the source of the guiding star, but doesn't find any that fit. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art29500.asp

*Birthdays*
(1) Isaac Newton was born on Christmas Day 1642. One of the greatest scientists of all time, his understanding of gravity is still an important part of space missions.
Find out more about Issac Newton's life: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48510.asp
(2) Johannes Kepler was born on December 27, 1571. He used the data of Tycho Brahe to describe the motion of the planets, having realized that their orbits were ellipses, not circles.
More about Kepler's life: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36947.asp
(3) Arthur Eddington was born on December 28, 1882. He was one of the top astrophysicists of his day and a great communicator of science. He's famous for the solar eclipse measurements that confirmed part of Einstein's theory of General Relativity.
The story of “Einstein's Eclipse”: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art183980.asp

There are many different festivals that people are celebrating at this time of year. My good wishes to all of you and those close to you for the holiday season and for 2016. And for those in the southern hemisphere, you're having summer now – hope you're able to take time to enjoy it!

Please visit http://astronomy.bellaonline.com/Site.asp for even more great content about Astronomy.

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I wish you clear skies.

Mona Evans, Astronomy Editor