Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
And all the night’s magic seems to whisper …
~ “Moondance” lyrics by Van Morrison
The evening was brilliant, even without a full moon. As I drove home Sunday morning – at 5:30 a.m. – the eastern sky was a nameless color of blue, tinged by the sun’s light emanating from below the horizon. At 25% illumination, a waning crescent moon hung overhead; it grows smaller until the New Moon Phase. In the almost moonless sky, the stars sparkled even brighter. The brief moment just before dawn can be quite beautiful if you’re willing to get up early or, in my case, stay awake all night. Being a night owl, it seems I’ve missed out on a spectacular time of day. I have Prom Plus to thank for the experience as I volunteered for the event this past weekend.
The weather graciously gave a much-appreciated gift to Prom Plus 2017. Not only were the skies clear, but evening was summer-like in temperature. The thermometer read close to 80 degrees as the activities began and never slipped below the 60-degree mark. Prompted by the warm evening, many prom-goers happily abandoned their elegant formal attire and changed to casual shorts and T-shirts. After all, these are Southern California kids and summer is coming!
For almost a week now, the weather shouted, “Summer!” In response, the calendar said, “Still spring.” According to the calendar’s pages, the first day of summer, or the solstice, is on June 20. Astronomically, the weather would be more accurate. Solstices mark the mid point of the seasons via the course of the Sun. Basing calculations on four seasons, summer would begin around the first of May. European pagan celebrations of May Day had it right, as did Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.” These both recognize the Sun’s movement (figuratively speaking) toward its annual apex, or high point, which falls at midsummer around the 20th of June, marking the longest day of the year. After that point, the Sun’s energy begins to wane as it reverses its course back toward winter and the days grow shorter. Hence, to say midsummer is the beginning of summer is contradictory. Certainly worth contemplating …
This evening brings a 40% chance for rain. By Friday, and just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the clouds and marine layer will disappear. Warm summer-like weather returns …
Sue Kilpatrick is a
Crescenta Valley resident and
Official Skywarn Spotter for the
National Weather Service. Reach her at suelkilpatrick@gmail.com.