THAILAND: Thais free 1,066 turtles to celebrate King’s birthday.
Hundreds of Thai schoolchildren and naval officers sent 1,066 turtles scuttling into the sea on Wednesday in an ceremony aimed at bringing good fortune to the new King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who turns 65 on Friday.
The sea turtles, seen as symbols of longevity, waddled into the waves off Sattahip naval base in Chonburi province.
Many Thai Buddhists view freeing captive animals such as turtles or birds as a way to accrue good karma.
“Sea turtles are long-living animals. If we release them, it will help His Majesty to have a long life too,” said Eagarat Promlumpug, an officer who helps run the the navy’s turtle conservation program.
The center collects thousands of turtle eggs annually and nurtures the reptiles before releasing them into the Gulf of Thailand.
Royal birthdays are met with a flurry of fanfare and religious ceremonies in Thailand, where the monarchy is seen a pillar of moral authority.
Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, July 28, was declared a public holiday by the ruling junta after he took the throne late last year.
His father Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away in October 2016, was worshipped as a near demi-god during his 70-year reign.
Vajiralongkorn has yet to attract that level of devotion.
All royal family members are shielded from criticism by a draconian defamation law that has landed offenders decades in jail and forces all media in Thailand to self-censor.
Thailand frees 1,066 turtles to celebrate King’s birthday
Thailand frees 1,066 turtles to celebrate King’s birthday
6 planets will parade across the night sky at the end of February
NEW YORK: Six planets are linking up in the sky at the end of February, and most will be visible to the naked eye.
It’s what’s known as a planetary parade, which happens when multiple planets appear to line up in the sky at once. The planets aren’t in a straight line, but are close together on one side of the sun.
Skygazers can usually spot two or three planets after sunset, according to NASA. Hangouts of four or five that can be glimpsed with the naked eye are less common and occur every few years. Last year featured lineups of six and all seven planets.
When will they be visible?
On Saturday, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye if clear skies allow. Uranus and Neptune can only be spotted with binoculars and telescopes.
What time is optimal for viewing?
Go outside about an hour after sunset and venture away from tall buildings and trees that will block the view. Look to the western sky and spot Mercury, Venus and Saturn close to the horizon. Jupiter will be higher up, along with Uranus and Neptune.
How to know if you’ve spied a member of the parade?
“If it’s twinkling, it’s a star. If it is not twinkling, it’s a planet,” said planetary scientist Sara Mazrouei with Humber Polytechnic in Canada.
The parade should be visible over the weekend and in the days after. Eventually, Mercury will bow out and dip below the horizon.
At least one bright planet is visible on most nights, according to NASA.
Glimpsing many in the sky at once is a fun way to connect with astronomers of centuries’ past, said planetary scientist Emily Elizondo with Michigan State University.
Ancient astronomers used to make sense of the universe “just by looking up at the stars and the planets,” Elizondo said, “which is something that we can do today.”
