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ATHENA PREPARATORY

Private High School Education & College Preparation

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The upcoming week's weather forecast predicts mostly sunny skies with occasional clouds. High temperatures will range from 85°F to 94°F, peaking on Sunday at 94°F, while lows will hover between 55°F and 58°F. Winds will generally blow from the south-southwest (SSW) at speeds of 10 to 15 mph, occasionally reaching up to 20 mph, especially on Monday. Nights will be predominantly clear with mild temperatures. Expect a mix of vibrant sunshine during the day and cool, clear evenings throughout the week. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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In 2025, skywatchers can look forward to several captivating meteor showers. The Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquarids overlap on July 29-30, offering 10-15 meteors per hour. The Perseids peak on August 12-13, presenting up to 100 meteors per hour, though moonlight may affect visibility. The Orionids, from Halley's Comet, peak October 22-23 with 15-20 meteors per hour. November features the Taurids, known for bright fireballs, and the Leonids on November 16-17. December brings the spectacular Geminids (100-150 meteors per hour) on December 12-13, followed by the Ursids on December 21-22. Weather and moonlight can influence viewing conditions. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/meteor-showers-2025-every-event-to-mark-on-your-calendar/1764238

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The sky from July 18–27 offers stunning celestial sights. The Sagittarius Teapot appears after nightfall, tilting westward as summer progresses. On July 20, a waning crescent Moon occults the Pleiades, with Venus, Aldebaran, and Jupiter visible at dawn. Cassiopeia's "W" rises in the north-northeast by July 22, while the Summer Triangle shines with added brilliance from Rasalhague. The New Moon on July 24 heralds a new lunar month, perfect for spotting Scutum's clusters. Arcturus, with its rich cosmic history, dominates the western sky, guiding viewers to Mars, Denebola, and the Little Dipper's Polaris in the fading twilight. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-18-27/

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Fireworks light up the sky on the 4th of July with vibrant colors thanks to science. The dazzling hues come from specific combinations of metals and salts within each firework. Strontium creates red, barium produces green, and copper results in vivid blues. Additional chemicals like chlorine enhance brightness, while potassium nitrate and sulfur aid in burning. Chlorates and nitrates supply oxygen for the explosions. This colorful phenomenon is similar to meteor showers, where the chemical makeup of space rocks causes glowing colors as they burn in Earth's atmosphere. https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/what-makes-fireworks-burst-with-vibrant-colors/1663023

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The upcoming week's weather features predominantly sunny skies with clear nights. Daily high temperatures range from 88°F to 98°F, peaking on Sunday and Monday at 98°F, and cooling slightly to the high 80s and low 90s midweek. Nighttime lows fluctuate between 56°F and 59°F. Winds are consistently from the south-southwest at 10-15 mph, with a slight decrease to 5-10 mph on Saturday. Expect stable, warm conditions with minimal variation throughout the week. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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This week's sky highlights include Venus dazzling near Epsilon Tauri in Taurus, with Jupiter emerging nearby at dawn. Look for noctilucent clouds in the northwest after twilight. The Summer Triangle, formed by Vega, Altair, and Deneb, dominates the evenings, with Rasalhague adding a fourth point. Scorpius shines brightly in the south, showcasing the Cat's Eyes stars, M6, and M7 clusters. Saturn rises with the waning Moon midweek, while the Pleiades face occultation by the Moon on July 19. Venus and Jupiter approach an August conjunction. Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune offer telescopic views before dawn. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-11-19/

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This week's sky from July 4–12 offers several celestial highlights. Catch Mars and Regulus low in the western twilight, pointing toward fading Mercury. The waxing gibbous Moon journeys through Scorpius, culminating in a full Buck Moon on July 10. Look for noctilucent clouds in the northwest, and spot Cassiopeia's W shape rising in the north-northeast. Altair and its companion Tarazed shine in the east-southeast after nightfall. The Summer Triangle—Vega, Altair, and Deneb—dominates the evening sky. Scorpius, "the Orion of Summer," is prominent, with its Cat's Eyes stars and star clusters M6 and M7 dazzling in binoculars. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-july-4-12/

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July promises spectacular celestial sights. The Thunder Moon, the first full moon of astronomical summer, will rise on July 10, glowing brightly from the southeastern sky at nightfall until dawn. Named for July’s frequent thunderstorms, it’s also called the Buck Moon due to deer antler growth. Late July offers vivid views of the Milky Way, with optimal stargazing around the new moon on July 24 in dark, clear skies. The highlight occurs July 29-30 when two meteor showers, the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids, peak simultaneously, producing 20-30 meteors per hour, including brilliant fireballs. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/july-offers-rare-meteor-shower-combo-stunning-views-of-the-milky-way/1788372

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The upcoming week's weather will be predominantly sunny with clear skies at night. Daytime highs will range from 92°F to 100°F, with the hottest day on Thursday, reaching near 100°F. Nighttime lows will be between 56°F and 61°F. Winds will generally come from the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph, occasionally increasing to 10 to 15 mph, particularly on Saturday. Expect consistently warm, dry conditions with minimal variation in temperature and wind patterns throughout the week. https://www.kcra.com/weather

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This week's sky highlights (June 27–July 6) include several celestial events. On June 27, spot the thin crescent Moon with Mercury nearby. Arcturus and Vega shine prominently overhead. June 28 showcases Vega and Lyra's stars, including the variable Beta Lyrae. On June 29, the crescent Moon aligns with Mars, and the Milky Way graces the Summer Triangle. Saturn's Moon, Titan, casts its shadow on July 1, while the first-quarter Moon appears on July 2. The Milky Way arches brilliantly on July 4. On July 6, the Moon occults Pi Scorpii. Planetary views include Venus, Mars, and Saturn, with Mercury fading. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-june-27-july-6/

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