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August 22nd to August 28th 2005
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TUESDAY August 23 Newly-discovered object comment 
There's a newly-discovered object, orbiting the Sun. Some say it is going to be called Xena. Some say it isn't. The officials who are supposed to name new planets are putting off the decision. They say that, first, someone must establish whether it actually is a planet. As it is bigger than Pluto, It ought to be a 'no-brainer' but some folk say Pluto shouldn't really be a planet... because it is too small. I predict that once the matter is settled, Pluto will remain a 'planet'... and by then, the name Xena will have stuck!
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WEDNESDAY August 24 Moon in the middle of the day email 
Dear Jonathan,Why does the Moon sometimes appear in the middle of the day? Regards, Lesley
Dear Lesley, |
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THURSDAY August 25 Moon and Sun comment 
Yesterday, a reader asked why the Moon can sometimes be seen in the day. I gave an analogy about the relative movement of heavenly bodies. I now wonder if she may have been asking a simpler question. 'Why can we see the Moon while the Sun is up... even though we cannot see the stars and planets?' That's because they are so distant that the Sun's bright light drowns them out. The Moon, though, is much nearer. As long as it is in a visible phase, it can be seen whenever it is above the horizon.
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FRIDAY August 26 Horoscope email 
Dear Jonathan,In all the advice you give, do you ever advise people to stop reading their horoscopes? Karen
Dear Karen, |
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SATURDAY August 27 Venus, Jupiter and Mars 
Weekend Forecast: If you venture out after dark, any night this week, you'll see Venus and Jupiter, impressively close together in the West, slowly sinking below the horizon. That's deeply auspicious. Equally impressive, later at night, is the sight of a midnight Mars - shining brightly towards the East. That suggests that big ambitions can now be fulfilled. If you have a dream... pursue it this weekend.
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SUNDAY August 28 New Planets
Your Week Ahead: Venus and Jupiter have been drawing ever nearer to each other this month. Both have been delightfully visible, shortly after dark. Now, though, as they complete their conjunction, they are so close to the setting Sun that they can hardly be seen. Their influence, though, can still be felt. If you're hoping for an improvement in your love life, a burst of creative inspiration... or a chance to make money, you'll soon notice that the world is becoming full of positive possiblity. Meanwhile, if you want a visual treat, look out for Mars, around midnight. The 'red planet' is actually a kind of pale orangey-pink and, if you look through binoculars, you may pick out the markings that some astronomers of yesteryear once famously mistook for canals.
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Astronomers recently announced the discovery of an object in our solar system, larger but further away than Pluto. Ever since, the discoverers of '2003 UB313' have been at pains to point out that they were not entirely serious when they referred to it as Xena. One of their team has just had a baby daughter called Lila. They might prefer that name. Or they might use the Greek goddess, Persephone, even though that title has already been given to an asteroid. Or they may have yet another idea. More on this tomorrow.
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