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January 8th to January 14th 2007
MONDAY January 8 Watch for the stunning comet 
I have been saying, for ages, that 2007 is no ordinary year. Even so, I did not realise quite how special it was set to be. Hot news on the astronomical grapevine is that we are about to see a stunning celestial spectacle. A comet, discovered only last August, passes close to the Sun this weekend. For the next few days at dusk and dawn, it should be easily visible to all. It may even become brighter than any star you have ever seen. If that happens, it will be an unprecedented portent. I'll say (much) more very soon.
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TUESDAY January 9 Watch for the stunning comet - Part 2 
The North of England was cloudy at sunset last night. I'm going to travel further afield today - because, until I see this new comet with my own eyes, I am reluctant to say too much about what it means. Reports and pictures, though, are tantalising. It could be the most important celestial symbol since 1997. If you'd like to join the hunt for this mysterious apparition, go out after dusk tonight or before dawn tomorrow. Look west, low on the horizon, ideally from some flat open land or the top of a high hill with a good view downwards.
At the moment, the comet is viewable only from the northern hemisphere (Europe, North America, Northern India, North Africa, Japan), slightly better in the early evening dusk than at dawn. It will be visible from the southern hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America) at twilight about ten days from now. |
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WEDNESDAY January 10 My first view of Comet McNaught
I went up to Scotland in the hope of getting a better view of the new comet. So far, my daughter and I have had one brief, tantalising glimpse through the clouds. The night is still young, though, and we are hoping for better weather later. Still, between that sighting and the many photos that have come in from all over the world, I have seen enough to confirm my suspicion. This really is an important portent; the most dramatic astronomical apparition for at least the last ten years.
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THURSDAY January 11 The Comet of the century 
The comet of the century will only be visible for two more nights in the northern hemisphere. The closer it gets to the Sun, the more it sinks below the horizon. It will re-emerge in Australian skies soon. Sadly, there's a lot of cloud about. Those who have caught a glimpse, though, have been spellbound. This 'sign in the sky' clearly has a message for us. In a way I like the fact that it is half hidden. It creates an air of exclusivity. Keep an eye out after sunset tonight. If the western horizon clears, even briefly, you will see something amazing.Coming very soon - the first part of the 2007 Year Ahead predictions for each sign. |
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FRIDAY January 12 Signs from the skies 
We may never know what has caused the strange sudden, multiple bird deaths in Esperance, Western Australia and in Austin, Texas. It is hard though not to see these two apparently unrelated events, thousands of miles apart, as signs from the sky that we need to heed. The mysterious bright new comet is a similarly strong symbol. These events contain both warnings and promises for different people in different situations. Whatever else they may mean, though, they surely carry an urgent message to the world about climate change. Something somewhere wants us to wake up and take action, fast!
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SATURDAY January 13 Capricorn and Aquarius comment 
Mars, this week, enters Capricorn. There's a New Moon in the same sign of the sea-goat at the end of the week. Mercury, meanwhile, joins Venus in the sign of the water carrier. Many people, understandably, imagine that Aquarius must be a water sign. They also think that if Capricorn is symbolised by a sea-goat, it must also have a connection to the water element. Not so. Aquarius is Air. Capricorn is Earth. Indeed, there's very little happening in the heavenly water signs this week. Which makes it a good time for talking, thinking and 'doing' but not such a great time for exploring and expressing emotion.
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SUNDAY January 14 Capricorn and Aquarius comment
Mars, this week, enters Capricorn. There's a New Moon in the same sign of the sea-goat at the end of the week. Mercury, meanwhile, joins Venus in the sign of the water carrier. Many people, understandably, imagine that Aquarius must be a water sign. They also think that if Capricorn is symbolised by a sea-goat, it must also have a connection to the water element. Not so. Aquarius is Air. Capricorn is Earth. Indeed, there's very little happening in the heavenly water signs this week. Which makes it a good time for talking, thinking and 'doing' but not such a great time for exploring and expressing emotion.
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| Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts |
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