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ATHENA PREPARATORY

Private High School Education & College Preparation

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The week begins with mainly sunny weather on Sunday, with highs around 80°F and lows near 59°F, accompanied by light SSW winds. Monday sees a few passing clouds but remains mostly sunny, with highs of 76°F and lows of 58°F. Tuesday and Wednesday stay clear and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the low 70s to high 70s and light, variable winds. By Thursday, skies turn partly cloudy, warming up to 82°F. Friday and Saturday bring mostly sunny to sunny conditions, with highs climbing to 85–87°F and nighttime lows around 58–59°F under clear skies. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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From September 26 to October 5, the night sky offers a series of lunar and planetary highlights. Cygnus and Vega dominate the early evenings, while the waxing Moon moves through Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Capricornus, forming striking alignments with Antares, Saturn, and Fomalhaut. The Moon reaches first quarter on September 29 and approaches full by October 6. Saturn shines brightly in the southeast, with the Great Square of Pegasus and Andromeda rising nearby. Jupiter appears after midnight, joined by Castor and Pollux, while Venus emerges in the pre-dawn sky near Regulus. Uranus and Neptune are visible to telescope users, and Ceres reaches opposition. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-26-october-5/

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The Atacama Desert bloom phenomenon is expected to return in mid-September, peaking in October, following early August rains in Chile's Llanos de Challe National Park and nearby areas. Triggered by sufficient winter rainfall, this rare event awakens dormant seeds and bulbs, creating vibrant floral displays in one of the driest places on Earth. Over 200 endemic plant species may bloom, enhancing regional tourism. Authorities urge responsible tourism to protect this fragile ecosystem, advising visitors to stay on marked trails, avoid picking flowers, and minimize environmental impact. https://www.accuweather.com/en/leisure-recreation/atacama-desert-bloom-phenomenon-to-return-in-mid-september/1807445

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The upcoming week features predominantly sunny weather with occasional clouds. High temperatures range from 82°F to 90°F, peaking on Sunday at 90°F. Lows will vary between 58°F and 62°F. Winds are generally light, coming from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph, with some days experiencing light and variable breezes. Nights will mostly be clear, with mild temperatures. Expect partly cloudy skies midweek, particularly on Wednesday and Friday, but sunshine will dominate the forecast overall. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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This week's celestial highlights (Sept 19–28) include Titan casting its shadow on Saturn, a rare event visible until 2039. Saturn reaches opposition on Sept 20, showcasing its rings' brightness via the Seeliger effect. The Double Cluster in Perseus and the Andromeda Galaxy are prominent in the eastern sky. The fall equinox occurs on Sept 22, marking the seasonal change. Algol's eclipse season begins, and Ceres nears opposition. The Moon passes near Scorpius later in the week. Key planets include Venus before dawn, Jupiter rising early morning, and Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune visible through the night. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-19-28/

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The 2025 fall forecast for the U.S. predicts a mix of persistent warmth, severe weather risks, and early cold spells. Warm, humid air will linger in the East, while California and Idaho experience above-average heat. Cold air will arrive first in the Upper Midwest, bringing early snow to areas like the Rockies and Great Lakes. Tropical moisture may cause flooding from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest, with severe storms expected in the central U.S. Wildfire risks will peak early in the West, influenced by dry conditions from Hurricane Helene's aftermath. The hurricane season remains active, with potential for quickly developing storms. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/fall-forecast-2025-us-to-see-snow-hurricanes-fires/1796296

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The upcoming week's weather will feature mostly sunny skies with occasional light clouds. Daytime highs will range from 85°F on Sunday to a peak of 98°F on Thursday, gradually increasing midweek. Nighttime lows will hover between 59°F and 64°F. Winds will generally be light and variable, slightly picking up from the south or southwest at 5 to 10 mph on select nights and towards the weekend. Expect clear, warm days and cool, mostly clear nights, ideal for outdoor activities. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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This week's sky highlights include Saturn nearing opposition, showcasing the Seeliger effect with its rings nearly edge-on. The waning gibbous Moon rises in Taurus, accompanied by Aldebaran and the Pleiades. Altair dominates the southern sky with nearby constellations Sagitta and Delphinus. Keep an eye out for the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) and globular cluster M2. Venus and Jupiter shine brightly in the early morning, with a striking Moon-Venus conjunction on September 18. Deep-sky objects like the Double Cluster in Perseus and the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) are visible. Saturn's moon Titan casts its shadow on Saturn, a rare sight for the next 15 years. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-september-12-21/

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The 2025 fall foliage season promises vibrant displays in regions like New England, the Colorado Rockies, the Plains, and the Midwest, thanks to favorable weather conditions. Cool nights, sunny days, and a healthy growing season are key to bright colors. Early frost might affect parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota, while wind from tropical storms could impact the Carolinas. Duller colors are expected in the Appalachians due to insect and fungus damage, and in the Pacific Northwest and California due to drought and wildfire smoke. Climate change is causing increased variability, affecting both the timing and vibrancy of autumn foliage. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/fall-foliage-2025-where-to-expect-the-best-color/1809883

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The upcoming week will feature mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies with warm temperatures. Highs will range from 82°F to 91°F, peaking on Friday and Saturday. Nights will be generally clear with lows between 59°F and 63°F. Winds will be predominantly from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph, occasionally reaching 10 to 15 mph on Monday. Expect clear days with occasional passing clouds, offering pleasant weather throughout the week. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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