二十四節気で、現在は「雨水」

【図では、上が水瓶座、左下は獅子座、右下は魚座です。今宵は獅子座が見えます。】
　　

　先日、他の話題を扱ったので忘れましたが、ご存知の通り、現在は二十四節気で「雨水」です。最近、雨が降らず井戸が時々涸れ、今日も長い時間、井戸水を使うと水の出が悪くなり、水仙など芽を出したばかりの植物には少しで我慢してもらいました。果たして「雨水」の通り、今週中に一雨あるでしょうか。

　眩しくて確認は不可能ですが、現在、地球から見る太陽の背景は黄道十二星座の「水瓶座」があります。これは黄道十二星とは、太陽系を挟んで互いに反対側にある星座が決まっているからです。と言うことは、現在の地球は「しし座」の方向に来ています。このため、今宵、午前０時に真南に「しし座」が見えます。

　写真上は現在、太陽の背景にあるので見えませんで、夏にはよく見える「水瓶座」です。この星座は天の赤道に水瓶の底が接してます。日本で見ると逆さまですが、南半球から見ればちゃんと上を向いてます。

　後２５日が経過すると、地球から見る太陽は、ついに「魚座」のすぐ下にある「春分点」【赤点】に達します。ここの太陽黄経は０°で、０hでも表わされ、この日が春分の日」です。

Dear my friends as earthlings

　The other day, I forgot to post it because I was talking about something else, but as you know, we are currently in the "Rain Water" in the 24 solar terms. Recently, there has been no rain in southern Gumma Prefecture, and the well water has occasionally run dry. Using well water in the garden today caused the water to flow poorly, so newly sprouted plants such as daffodils had to endure only a little. As the "Rain Water" suggests, I wonder if, we will see a single rain shower this week?

　Because it's too bright to see, the background to the sun as seen from Earth right now is the zodiac constellation Aquarius. We can understand because the zodiac constellations are located on opposite sides of the solar system. This means that Earth is currently facing the direction of Leo as you see. Therefore, tonight at midnight, Leo will be visible due south.

　In the photo, Aquarius is currently hidden behind the sun, but this constellation that will be easily visible in the summer. The base of this constellation is touching the celestial equator. It looks upside down when viewed from Japan, but it is facing upwards when viewed from the Southern Hemisphere such as in NZ.

　If 25 days pass, the sun as seen from Earth will finally reach the vernal equinox point [red dot] as you can see, located just below the constellation Pisces above the equator. The solar longitude here is 0°, also expressed as 0h, and this day is the vernal equinox.

[In the diagram, the top is Aquarius, the lower left is Leo, and the lower right is Pisces.

今日は「立春」・・・地球の公転上の位置を考える

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0sFQjf9bos...　　

　枝垂れ白梅が咲き始め、この日を待っていたかの如く、庭に飛来する野鳥が美味しそうに蜜を吸ってます。写真はメジロです。季節はこれから、三寒四温を繰り返しつつ、日に日に春らしくなっていくでしょう。しかし、私たち人間にとって、この季節は体調を崩しやすい早春です。健康管理には、適度な全身運動、また、低栄養を避け、今まで以上に、体調管理を心掛けたいです。

　ところで、地球から見る太陽は、今日、太陽黄経がついに３１５°に達する「立春」です。これは「魚座」の近くの天の赤道上にある「春分点」からの度数です。今日の太陽の背景は黄道１２星座の一つ「やぎ座」です。地球から見る太陽の動きを時計のように考え、１周を２４hとすると「立春」の太陽は２１hに達し、二十四節気ごとに１５°ずつ移動していきます。

　一方、私たちを載せてる地球は「立春」の今日、公転軌道上のどの辺に到達しているでしょうか。

　これは前述の太陽の背景の「やぎ座」と正反対の位置にあります。今宵、午前０時に真南を見るとその答えが分かります。そこには黄道１２星座の「かに座」が薄く光ってます。「かに座」にはあまり明るい星がなく、分かり難いですが、すぐ西には有名な「ふたご座」があり、すぐ東には「獅子座」があるので、空が澄んでる現在なら見えるでしょう。私たちを載せてる地球は今後、「獅子座」の方向へ、秒速約２９kmの速度で公転軌道上を反時計回りに進んで行きます。

Dear my earthlings

　 The weeping white plum blossoms have begun to bloom in the garden, and as if they had been waiting for this day, wild birds have flown into the garden, sucking nectar deliciously. The photo shows a Japanese white-eye. From now on, the season will alternate between cold and warm weather repeatedly, and each day will feel more like spring. However, for us humans, due to early spring, a time when it's easy to get sick. To maintain our health, we need to be more mindful of our health than before, by getting moderate full-body training and avoiding malnutrition.

　By the way, today marks "Risshun" which is the beginning of spring in Japan, when the sun's ecliptic longitude finally reaches 315°. This is the number of degrees from the vernal equinox, which is located on the celestial equator near constellation "Pisces". The background to today's sun is Capricorn, one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac. If we think of the movement of the sun as seen from Earth like a clock, with one revolution taking 24 hours, the sun on the day of spring will reach 21 hours, and will move 15° with each of the 24 solar terms.

　Meanwhile, where has the Earth reached in its orbit today, on the day of the beginning of spring named Risshun?

　It is in the exact opposite position to Capricorn, which appears in the background of the sun mentioned above. Tonight at midnight, we earthling will find the answer. We are able to see the faint glow of Cancer, one of the 12 zodiacal constellations. There are not many bright stars in Cancer, so making it difficult to see, but it is just to the east of the famous Gemini, and just to the west of Leo, so you should be able to see it when the sky is clear. From now on, the Earth carrying us will move counterclockwise on its orbit towards Leo at a speed of approximately 29 km per second.

今日の地球の公転上の位置は？

 

　今日は二十四節気の一つ「大寒」です。この日に合わせたように日本列島は西高東低の気圧配置になり、群馬県でも未明から北西よりの強風が吹いてます。このように季節が変化することについて考えましょう。

　私たちを載せた地球は一周およそ９億４千万㎞の公転軌道上を地軸は約２３．５°傾いたまま、北極星の方向を向き、反時計回りに公転を続けてます。この結果、地球から見る太陽高度は季節によって上下し、四季が生じます。

　ところで、「大寒の今日、地球は公転軌道上のどの位置に来ているでしょうか。」

　そのためには恒星を観察することになります。その答えは、午前０時に真南にある黄道十二星座を観察すれば分かります。下図が示すように、現在の地球は、巨大な冬のダイアモンドの東端にある「ふたご座」の方向を離れ、その東にある「かに座」の方向に向かいつつあります。

Dear my friends as earthling

　Today is Daikan, one of the 24 solar terms in Japan. In keeping with this day, the Japanese archipelago experiences a high pressure distribution in the west and a low pressure distribution in the east, and in my Gumma Prefecture, strong northwesterly winds have been blowing since early morning. Let's think about this cause of change in seasons.

　As you know, our planet, carrying us, orbits us approximately 940 million kilometers around the sun, tilted on its axis at approximately 23.5 degrees, facing the North Star and continuing its counterclockwise orbit. As a result, the altitude of the sun as seen from Earth fluctuates a little day by day, so that resulting the four seasons occur.

　By the way, "Where is Earth positioned on its orbit today, named Daikan which means the most cold day?"

　To find out, we need to observe the fixed stars. The answer can be found by observing the zodiac constellations due south at midnight in the northern hemisphere. As shown in the diagram below, Earth is currently moving away from the direction of Gemini, the eastern edge of the giant Winter Diamond, and toward Cancer, which is located to the east of the Winter Diamond.

今日の地球は公転軌道上のどの辺に達しているでしょう。

　今日１２月２２日は北半球では二十四節気の「冬至」です。南半球では「夏至」です。地球は２３．５°傾いたまま公転し、地軸の向きは常に北極星の方向です。ところが、地球はこの傾きと地軸の方向を一定に保ったまま太陽の回りを反時計回りに公転するので、今日の太陽高度は北半球では低くなり、南半球では高くなります。今日の群馬県の正午の太陽高度は３０°です。因みに夏至では７７°でした。ですから、その差は４７°です。この度数は北回帰線の緯度と南回帰線の緯度をプラスした度数４７°と一致します。

　ところで、「冬至の今日、地球は公転軌道上のどの辺に達しているでしょうか。」と言っても、宇宙で目印になるものは恒星です。

　それは午前０時に真南に輝く星を見れば分かります。今宵午前０時の真南は「オリオン座」と「おおいぬ座」の中間の方向です。「オリオン座」は真南より少し西に、「おおいぬ座」の一等星「シリウス」は真南より少し東寄りに輝いてます。

　一方、今日の日の出の方角は真北から１１８°の地点で、日の出時刻は６時５２分でした。日の入りは１６時３３分予定で昼の長さは９時間４１分です。(いずれも群馬県の場合)

Dear my earthlings

　Today, December 22nd is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the 24 solar terms. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice today. A you know, the Earth orbits at a constant tilt of 23.5°, with its axis pointing in the direction of the North Star. However, as the Earth orbits counterclockwise, this tilt and axis direction remain constant, so today's solar elevation is lower in the Northern Hemisphere and higher in the Southern Hemisphere. The solar elevation at noon in Gumma Prefecture where I live in Japan today is 30°. Incidentally, at the summer solstice it was 77°. Therefore, the difference is 47°. This degree corresponds to the sum of the latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, which is 47°.

　By the way, "Where on Earth's orbit does it reach on this winter solstice?" the landmarks are fixed stars in space.

　You can find this question by looking at the stars shining due south at midnight. Due south at midnight tonight is halfway between the constellations Orion and Canis Major. Orion shines slightly west of due south, and Sirius, the first magnitude star in Canis Major, shines slightly east of due south.

　Meanwhile, today's sunrise direction was 118° from due north, and sunrise occurred at 6:52am. Sunset is scheduled for 4:33pm, making the daylight length 9 hours and 41 minutes. (All figures are for Gumma Prefecture, Japan.)

後４０日後の午前０時にシリウスが真南に来る

　今日、１１月２２日は二十四節気の「小雪」です。一周３６０°ある地球の公転軌道上を２４で割ると１５°ですから、地球は節気から次の節気までは１５°公転します。これには約１５日かかります。

　ところで、今日の小雪に「私たち約８０億人を載せた地球は、一体、公転軌道上の何処に到達しているでしょう。」

　今回は意外と分かりやすいです。というのは、今の季節に大空を見上げるとほぼ一晩中、日本列島を覆うかのごとく巨大な「冬のダイヤモンド」が来ています。このダイアモンドは６個の一等星で出来てる６角形です。その中の右下には有名な「オリオン座」が含まれ、一番南【日本で見ると一番下】には星の中で最も明るいシリウスがあるからです。

　今宵、深夜０時には「おうし座」のアルデバランが真南より少し西で光ってます。つまり、上記の質問の答えは「小雪」の今日、地球は冬のダイアモンドの中に入りかけた位置の方向に来ています。アルデバランの少々上【北】には星の塊であるスバル星団が見えます。スバル星団は先島諸島の宮古島頭上を通過します。最も北のカペラは北海道の稚内市頭上を通過します。シリウスはオーストラリア北部の頭上を通します。

　そして、後４０日経過し、この最も明るい「シリウス」が午前０時に真南に来た瞬間が令和８年１月１日です。

Dear my friends who are crazy about our Earth's revolution

　Today, November 22nd, is "Shosetsu" which is one of the 24 solar terms in Japanese calendar. The Earth's 360° orbital way divided by 24 equals 15°, so the Earth evoluves 15° between solar terms. It takes about 15 days.

　By the way, at today's "Shosetsu", "Where on earth has the Earth which is carrying approximately 8 billion of us, arrived at its orbit?"

　Recently, it is surprisingly easy to understand this time. If you look up at the sky this time of year, you'll see a gigantic "Winter Diamond" is covering over the Japanese archipelago almost all night long. This diamond is a hexagon made up of six first-magnitude stars. The famous constellation Orion is located in the lower right, and the brightest star, Sirius, is located at the southernmost point.

　Tonight, at midnight, Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus will shine slightly west of due south. In other words, the answer to the above question is that at today's Shosetsu, the Earth has arrived just entered the Winter Diamond. Slightly above [north of] Aldebaran, you can see the Pleiades star cluster. The Pleiades star cluster passes overhead Miyako Island in the Sakishima Islands. Capella, the northernmost star in WinterDiamond, passes overhead Wakkana-City in Hokkaido. Sirius passes overhead northern Australia.

　And 40 days later, the moment when Sirius will come due south at midnight will be January 1st, 2026 in the Northern hemisphere.

秋分の日の地球の位置と太陽高度

　今日は秋分の日ですから、公転している地球は特別な位置に来てます。太陽が真東から昇り、赤道の上を通過し、真西に沈みます。ですから、今日の太陽の真下が赤道です。

　今日の太陽の角度は９０°から皆さんがお住い地域の緯度を引いた度数です。例えば群馬県はほぼ北緯３６、５°ですから、９０°－３６．５°＝５３．５°です。このため、太陽高度は地平線に対し５３．５°です。因みに日本最北の稚内市の位置は北緯４５°ですから９０°－４５°＝４５°で太陽高度は４５°です。一方、先島諸島の宮古島は北緯２５°ですから９０°－2５°＝６５°で、太陽高度は６５°です。

　一方、地球が差し掛かってる公転上の位置は深夜０時に真南を見れば分かります。そこにはインドの形にそっくりな「魚座」が来ています。ですから、今日、地球は黄道十二星座の「魚座」の方向に浮んでます。「魚座」のすぐ下が天の赤道です。また、地球から見る太陽は反対側なので「乙女座」の方向にあります。

　ですから、占星術では９月中旬に生まれた人の星座は「乙女座」です。しかし、占星術の星座は紀元前の星座を使っているので、２１世紀の現在では、星座の位置は２週間ほどズレてます。これは地球の歳差運動が原因してます。生まれたとき太陽の背景にあった黄道十二星座が、あなたの星座です。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the astronomy of autumnal equinox and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.........................................................

　Today is the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, so the Earth is in a special position in space as it revolves around the sun. The sun rises due east, passes over the equator, and sets due west. Therefore, the equator is directly below today's sun.

　Today's sun's angle is 90° minus the latitude of your area. For example, Gumma Prefecture is approximately 36.5° north latitude, so 90° - 36.5° = 53.5°. Therefore, the sun's altitude above the horizon at noon is 53.5°. Incidentally, Wakkanai City, the northernmost place in Japan, is located at 45° north latitude, so 90° - 45° = 45°, therefore the sun's altitude is 45°. On the other hand, Miyako Island in the Sakishima Islands is situated at 25° north latitude, so 90° - 25° = 65°, therefore the sun's altitude is 65°.

　Meanwhile, the orbital position of the Earth is approaching by looking due south at midnight. Pisces, which looks very similar to the shape of India, is located there. So today, the Earth is floating in the direction of Pisces, one of the twelve zodiac constellations. Directly below Pisces is the celestial equator. Also, as the sun is on the opposite side from the Earth, it is in the direction of Virgo.

　Therefore, in astrology, the zodiac sign for people born in mid-September is Virgo. However, astrology use the constellations from before Christ, so in the 21st century, the positions of the constellations are off by about two weeks or so. This is due to the precession of the Earth. When you were born, the 12 zodiac constellations behind the sun is your zodiac sign.

　

暑い暑いと言っても、今日は「立秋」

【やぎ座】

　私たちを載せた地球は、一年かけて一周約９億４千万㎞の公転軌道上を秒速約２９㎞という物凄い速度で公転しています。地球の公転は北極星側から見て反時計回りです。今宵、午前０時頃に真南に見える星座は、太陽系を取り巻く黄道十二星座の一つ「山羊座」です。このため、現在、地球は「山羊座」の方向に差し掛かってます。

　ですから、二十四節気の一つ今日の「立秋」とは「地球が山羊座の方向に達する日」です。今宵のみならず、これから２週間ほどは天の赤道の少々南に「山羊座」が見えるので「立秋」における地球の公転上位置を自らの目で確認しましょう。

　その後、宇宙空間に浮いてる私たちの地球は次第に「水瓶座」【日本など北半球で見ると逆さまです。】の方向からインドの形にそっくりな「魚座」の方向へと進み「秋分の日」へと向かいます。このように地球は地軸を２３．５°傾けたまま、一年をかけ、黄道十二星座の方向へ次々に公転して行きます。このため、黄道十二星座は季節と連動してます。 

Dear earthlings

　Our planet which is carrying us, travels a 940 million km orbit every year. The earth is revolving at a tremendous speed of approximately 29 km per second. The Earth is revolving counterclockwise when viewed from the North Star side. Tonight, at around midnight, we earthling can see the constellation of Capricorn due south, which is one of the twelve zodiac constellations that surround the solar system. Therefore, our earth is currently approaching the direction of Capricorn.

　Therefore, "Risshu" one of the 24 solar terms, marks the day when Earth reaches the direction of Capricorn. Not only tonight, but for the next two weeks or so, Capricorn will be visible slightly south of the celestial equator, so let's check out Earth's position at Risshu by our own eyes.

　After that, our Earth which is floating in space, will gradually move to the direction of Aquarius (which is upside down when viewed from Japan and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere) toward Pisces which is a constellation resembling the shape of India, at that time, we will reach the Autumnal Equinox. In this way, the Earth revolves with the Earth's axis at a 23.5° tilt, in the direction of each of the twelve zodiac constellation through the year. The twelve constellations are linked to the seasons.

何故、毎日、猛暑なのでしょう。

　今日７月２２日は二十四節気の一つ「大暑」です。文字通り連日、猛暑続きですが、何故、毎日暑いのでしょう。その理由を考えましょう。それには深夜０時に真南を見ると、やぎの顔をした黄道十二星座の一つ「やぎ座」が考えられない遠方の宇宙で光り輝いてます。このとき、北半球では毎年、真夏になります。

　一方、同じ地球上でも、現在、寒さに震えている地方もあります。それは南極大陸など南半球の高緯度地方です。

　　

　これは地球が一周「約９億４千万㎞ある公転軌道」上の現在どこを公転しているかに因ります。私たちの地球は、太陽の回りを「秒速約２９㎞」の物凄い速さで、しかも、太陽から約３８万㎞の距離を保ちつつ、ほんの少し楕円で公転してます。その公転する方向は北極星側から見て反時計回りです。

　ところが、ここがポイントです。私たちの地球は「地軸を傾けたまま自転しつつ公転してます。」この傾きは北回帰線や南回帰線の緯度と同じで２３．５°程です。実は「この傾きのまま公転してることに因り」、地球上では太陽の角度が日々ほんの少しずつ変化し、結果的に、地球上では気温が次第に変化し、四季が起こる原因になってます。現在の地球の公転上の位置は「やぎ座」の方向にあります。

　私は度々、日の出時刻や日の入り時刻と共に、その日の正午の「太陽高度」を角度で示してます。例えば、群馬県の今日の日の出は４時４１分、日の入りは１８時５９分、正午の太陽高度は７４°です。因みに、冬至の太陽高度は低く３０°です。現在の半分以下です。このように地上に降り注ぐ太陽光の角度によって気温が変化し、四季が起こり、今日の大暑は一年のうちでも猛暑となります。皆さん、こまめな水分補給をお願いします。

Dear my friends who are crazy about the change of temperature by seasons and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

..............................................

　Today, July 22nd, is one of the twenty-four solar terms, "Taisho" in Japan. It has literally been scorching hot every day, but why is it so hot every day? Let's think about the reason. If we look due south at midnight, we will see the goat-faced Capricorn which is one of the twelve zodiacal constellations, shining in the unimaginably distant universe. At this time, it is midsummer every year in the Northern Hemisphere.

　Meanwhile, there are also areas on the same Earth that are currently shivering in the cold. These are the high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, such as Antarctica.

　This is due to where the Earth is currently revolving on its "approximately 940 million km orbit". Our Earth revolves around the Sun at the incredible speed of "approximately 29 km per second", and at a distance of about 380,000 km from the Sun, in a slight ellipse. The revolution is counterclockwise when viewed from the North Star side.　

　But here's the point. Our Earth "rotates and revolves on its axis with a tilt." This tilt is about 23.5°, the same as the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. In fact, "because it revolves on this tilt," the angle of the sun on Earth changes slightly every day, and as a result, the temperature on Earth changes gradually, causing the four seasons. The Earth's current position on its orbit is in the direction of Capricorn.

　As you know, I often indicate the "solar altitude" at noon, along with the sunrise and sunset times. For example, today's sunrise in Gumma Prefecture is at 4:41, sunset will be at 18:59, and the solar altitude at noon will be 74°. Incidentally, the solar altitude on the winter solstice is low at 30°. It is less than half of the current level. In this way, the temperature changes depending on the angle of the sun shining on the ground, causing the four seasons, and today's heatwave is the hottest in the year. Everyone, please drink water occasionally.

　　

公転してる地球は、夏至の今日「射手座」の方向に

　昨日、車で１０分ほどの喫茶「さんぽ道」の「ターキーの家」でチャボの雛を動画で撮りましたが、ターキーとは七面鳥のことです。しかし、中を区切って両方を飼育されてます。七面鳥は見るからに威厳があります。以前に「笑いヨガ」で私たちがこの小屋の前で笑い声を出しましたら、七面鳥がそれに反応して一緒に鳴き、楽しかったです。

　ところで、今日６月２１日は北半球では夏至です。群馬県の今日の日の出は４時２６分、正午の太陽高度は７７°、日の入りは１９時０５分で、昼の長さは１４時間３９分です。今日の太陽は北緯２３.４°の北回帰線上にあります。若き日、インドのカルカッタでは自分の影が少々南にできた体験をしました。

　ところが、北回帰線のことを英語ではThe Tropic of Cancerと表記されており、不思議です。Cancerとは「かに座」のことです。ところが、調べてみると今日の太陽は「冬のダイアモンド」内にあり、どちらかと言えば「双子座」や「牡牛座」に近いところです。「かに座」はこれらの星座より少々東に位置してます。つまり、英語でもこのように２０００年以上の昔のままの名を使っていることがあるのです。この変化は地球の歳差運動に因ると考えられてます。今宵、午前０時に真南を見ると「射手座」があります。私たちの地球は今「射手座」の方向に来ています。

Dear my friends who are crazy about nature, health and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for our mutual understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

..............................................

　Yesterday, I took a video of bantam chicks at the Turkey House in the cafe Sampo-michi, where is about a 10-minute drive away. Chichimencho in our tongue is actually turkeys. However, both are kept in a separate in the house. At a glance, the turkey is very dignified. When we laughed in front of this house during a laughing yoga class, the turkeys responded by cackling and we all laughed even louder.

　By the way, today, June 21st, is the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Today's sunrise in Gumma Prefecture in Japan is at 4:26, the solar altitude at noon is 77°, and the sun will set at 7:05 p.m., making the day length 14 hours and 39 minutes. As you know, today's sun is on the Tropic of Cancer at 23.4° north latitude. When I was young, I experienced my shadow being cast a little south in Calcutta-City, India.

　However, the Kitakaukisen in our tongue is written as The Tropic of Cancer in English, which is strange. Cancer is the constellation Cancer. However, by my investigation, I suppose that today's Sun is within the huge Winter Diamond, which is closer to Gemini and Taurus. the constellation of Cancer is located a little further east than these constellations.

　In other words, even in English, names can remain the same for over 2000 years. This change is thought to be due to the precession of the Earth. Tonight, if we look due south at midnight, we will see Sagittarius. Our Earth, which is on an orbit, is currently moving in the direction of Sagittarius.

旧灌仏は毎年必ず大安、そして今日は「立夏」

　写真は、実った梅の重さで枝が垂れ下がった白梅です。収穫は今月末頃です。今後、ますます低く垂れ下がり、枝が折れそうになります。どうやら今年も豊作で梅酒が楽しみです。

　ところで、今日は「子供の日」です。しかし、その前に旧・灌仏ですから、釈迦の誕生日【旧暦4月8日】です。旧灌仏は毎年必ず大安だす。釈迦はネパールで生まれインドのブダガヤで悟りを開いたと伝えられてます。ここブダガヤには大河ガンジス川が流れ、インドの人たちが沐浴することでも有名です。私は若き日に訪れたことがあり、その光景は未だ脳裏に残ってます。

　一方、今日は二十四節気の一つ「立夏」です。私たちを載せ、一周９億４千万㎞ほどの公転軌道を北極星側から見て反時計回りに進んでいる地球は、今日の「立夏」では、一体、公転軌道上のどの辺に達しているでしょうか。この答えは午前０時に真南を見れば分かります。

　その前に、公転してる地球から見る太陽の背景は【牡羊座】です。もちろん眩しくて見えません。一方、現在の地球はその１８０°反対側に浮かんでるので、「立夏」の今日、私たちの地球は黄道十二星座の「天秤座」の方向に来ています。

Dear my friends who are crazy about constellations and great music.

　The simultaneous interpretation into English for your understanding will be done after my breakfast in Japan time.

.................................................................

　The photo shows white plum tree with branches drooping due to the weight of the ripe plums. They will be harvested around the end of this month, I guess. From now on, the plums will hang lower and lower, and the branches will look like to break. It seems that this year will be a good harvest, so I am looking forward to making plum wine by my eldest daughter.

　By the way, today is Children's Day in Japan. However, before that is Buddha's birthday [April 8th on the lunar calendar]. In the lunar calendar, the birth of Buddha is always Taian a lucky day every year. It is said that Buddha was born in Nepal and attained enlightenment in Buddh Gaya, India. Buddh Gaya is situated near the great Ganges River, and is also famous for Indians bathing there. I visited there in my 20's, and the scene is still fresh in my mind.

　On the other hand, today is "Rikka" that means the beginning of summer in Japan, which is one of the 24 solar terms. The Earth, which carries us on its orbit of about 940 million km, proceeds counterclockwise when viewed from the North Star side. Where on earth, will it reach on its orbit today at the beginning of summer? The answer can be found by looking due south at midnight.

　Before that, the background to the Sun as seen from our Earth is Aries, of course, it is too bright to confirm. Meanwhile, the Earth currently floats 180° opposite side, so today, the beginning of summer, our Earth is in the direction of Libra, which is one of the 12 zodiac constellations.