This is Chipwitch Today, your daily source of reliable data upon which you can base your daily practice.
Solar activity reached high levels. Region 3514 (N05W50, Ekc/beta-delta) produced an X2.8 flare (R3 - Strong) at 14/1647 UTC, the strongest since Sep 2017. Associated with the event was a Type IV and Type II radio sweep (est: 2118 km/s) as well as a Tenflare (4800 sfu) and a Castelli U radio signature. Particularly high radio burst values were noted on the 245hz, 410hz, and 610Hz. A subsequent CME was observed in STEREO-A COR2 beginning after 14/1738 UTC but further coronagraph imagery is needed to determine the existence and/or timing of an Earth-directed component.
The solar kp index is quiet, with no changes to retrograde effects. The solar wind speed is currently above average, making retrograde effects moderately increased.
Solar wind parameters reflected a weakly enhanced solar wind regime following the likely glancing influence from a passing transient feature. Total magnetic field strength peaked at 15 nT near the beginning of the UT day and steadily declined to ~5 nT by the days end. Bz was mostly southward, with a maximum deflection of -14 nT at 14/0115 UTC. Solar wind speeds steadily declined from ~375 km/s to ~300 km/s. .Forecast... Periodic weak enhancements are expected through 17 Dec due to positive polarity CH HSS influence. An additional enhancement is possible by midday on 15 Dec due to weak CME influences from a partial halo event on 11 Dec. A further enhancement is likely by early on 16 Dec due to CME influences from a partial halo event on 12 Dec. Analysis and modeling of the CME associated with R3 (Strong) event is ongoing.
There is a 30% chance of solar activity, with a 40% chance of a minor event, a 10% chance of a moderate event, and a 1% chance of a strong event.
The waxing moon is currently in Capricorn, at 23 degrees, 02' 45", at a velocity of 14.37 degrees per day.
The Waxing Crescent moon is currently 2.5 days old. It is 368979.76 km from the centre of the Earth.
The next new moon is at 11:58:05, 11 Jan, 2024. The next full moon is at 17:54:43, 25 Jan, 2024.
The Sun
The Sun is in Sagittarius
The Sun is at 22 Sag 59' 48", and is 147255434km away and approaching.
The Moon
The Moon is in Capricorn
The Moon will change from Capricorn to Aquarius in the next 24 hours.
The Moon is at 23 Cap 02' 45", and is 369030km away and approaching.Mercury
Mercury is in Capricorn
Mercury is retrograde at 08 Cap 08' 08", moving backwards at 0.37 degrees per day, and is 114472024km away and approaching.
Alright, my cosmic comrades, hold on to your telescopes because Mercury has just clocked into the Capricorn office! And let me tell you, this isn't your casual Friday type of cosmic environment. Oh no, we're talking full suit and tie, coffee-in-hand, ready-to-climb-the-corporate-ladder kind of vibe. So if you've been snoozing on those New Year's resolutions, now's the time to wake up and smell the productivity!
With Mercury in Capricorn, our minds are like well-oiled machines, operating at peak efficiency. You know that jumbled mess of thoughts that usually feels like a game of 3D chess in your brain? Well, consider Capricorn your personal Marie Kondo, tidying up those mental clutter piles into neatly stacked ideas ready to be actioned. It's like suddenly seeing your life through an IKEA catalogue – everything has its place, and boy does it look good!
But beware, my starry-eyed friends! While Capricorn is busy organizing your thoughts like color-coded spreadsheets, it's also got a bit of a control-freak side. With all this executive energy floating around, it's easy to start sounding like a corporate robot. So remember, while you might feel like the Elon Musk of your own universe, try not to dominate every conversation like you're leading a boardroom meeting. Trust me, 'synergy' and 'paradigm shift' aren't as sexy in everyday conversation as you might think.
So whether you're chasing dreams or deadlines, let's make the most of this Mercury in Capricorn transit. Just remember to keep your ego in check and your humor intact. After all, even in the cosmos, nobody likes a know-it-all!
Venus
Venus is in Scorpio
Venus is prograde at 12 Sco 25' 31", moving at 1.2 degrees per day, and is 160509995km away and receding.
Mars
Mars is in Sagittarius
Mars is prograde at 15 Sag 00' 22", moving at 0.73 degrees per day, and is 369627741km away and approaching.
Alright space cadets, buckle up! Mars, our fiery red planet and the celestial embodiment of drive and ambition, just hitched a ride with Sagittarius, the zodiac's resident trailblazer. This cosmic combo is less 'stroll in the park' and more 'Indiana Jones on a caffeine rush'. Sagittarius doesn't do boundaries, and Mars? Well, let's just say restraint isn't its strong suit. Translation: Your horizons are about to get a whole lot broader, folks!
Think of it this way - Mars in Sagittarius is like that friend who drags you out of bed at 3am for a surprise road trip. You know the one, the friend who sees a 'No Trespassing' sign as merely a suggestion and thinks GPS is for amateurs. Yeah, that friend. In other words, things are about to get interesting.
Sure, we might not be as focused on the present moment with Mars in Sagittarius - but hey, who's got time for that when there's a whole universe to explore? Just remember, even the bravest adventurers need to come up for air sometimes. Resist the temptation to go full throttle all the time, or you'll end up like Icarus - a little too close to the sun.
Speaking of sun, Mars in Sagittarius is a great excuse for a tan... I mean, a quest for knowledge. This is a prime opportunity to soak up all sorts of wisdom, from learning about different cultures to understanding why your cat gives you that judgmental look (hint: it's because they're a cat).
And who says you need to hop on a plane for an adventure? Sure, Mars in Sagittarius might spark a craving for exotic locales, but you can just as easily quench your thirst for knowledge by diving into a new book or taking a leap of faith on a new online course. Remember folks, the true journey is in the mind... or something profound like that.
In conclusion, whether you're planning a literal or metaphorical journey, Mars in Sagittarius is your cosmic green light to go forth and explore. So, dust off that backpack, oil up that brain gear and let's hit the road, fellow stargazers!
Jupiter
Jupiter is in Taurus
Jupiter is retrograde at 06 Tau 00' 51", moving backwards at 0.05 degrees per day, and is 637020561km away and receding.
Hmm, larger than life, Jupiter is, eh? And Taurus, the stubborn ox we all know and love. Together they are, hmm, a force to be reckoned with. You might say, "Big things come in small packages," but, friends, Jupiter in Taurus is more like "Giant wisdom comes in bull-sized packages."
Now, Yoda knows about the inner force, and so should you. Like a retrograde Jupiter, the answers you seek aren't lightyears away, they're within you. Not in some galaxy far, far away. No, no. Closer they are. In your own personal Dagobah system. Just push through the space dust and cosmic noise, and awaken the sleeping wisdom within, you must!
Look at you, getting ready to launch your dreams into the cosmos! With Jupiter's mojo and Taurus' tenacity, your to-do list is more like a hyperspace route to success. Remember, patience you must have, my young Padawan. Trust the process and reach for the stars, you will!
Prosperous times, these could be. Jupiter, the lucky star, meets Taurus, the cosmic cash cow. Sounds like the powerball of planetary alignments, doesn't it? But hold on to your lightsabers, folks. Don't let the wookie win. This isn't a time to gamble away your galactic credits. Instead, look for growth opportunities in your financial Death Star.
Taurus, that pleasure-seeking rascal, may tempt you to indulge. With Jupiter, the cosmic enabler, in tow, temptation is strong, it is. But remember, my friends, needs and wants, different they are. To your impulses, patient and careful you must be. May the force of self-restraint be with you during this transit.
Saturn
Saturn is in Pisces
Saturn is prograde at 01 Pis 56' 04", moving at 0.07 degrees per day, and is 1503880828km away and receding.
Look out, folks! Saturn, the solar system's resident taskmaster, has decided to take a cosmic excursion into the dreamy world of Pisces. I know what you're thinking, "what is this, a celestial cross-over episode?" Well, yes, actually. It's like if Sheldon from 'The Big Bang Theory' suddenly showed up in 'Stranger Things'. It's going to be a hoot!
What does this mean for you? Well, Saturn, known as the Lord of the Rings (not the one with the hobbits, mind you), is all about discipline, structure, and hard work. And Pisces? They're the dreamers, the artists, the ones who forgot they were baking cookies because they got caught up in their latest masterpiece. So, imagine Saturn - in his tweed suit and thick-rimmed glasses - trying to bring some order to Pisces' paint-splattered chaos. It's like asking a cat to herd kittens.
But don't panic! This might feel like your dad just crashed your slumber party, but it's actually a great opportunity. This is the time to give structure to your dreams. Always wanted to start a business selling handmade soaps shaped like aliens? Now's the time to write a business plan and research where to get eco-friendly glitter. Dreamt of writing a novel about a love affair between two stars (literally, celestial bodies)? Start outlining chapters!
Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows - or should I say, starlight and nebulas? Saturn's presence might feel intrusive, like a nosy neighbour poking around your daydreams. But remember, he's just here to help you tidy up a bit. Like a cosmic Marie Kondo, he's asking if these dreams spark joy. If they do, it's time to give them a place in your life.
With all these changes, you might find yourself losing sleep. But hey, who needs sleep when we've got the universe sending us cosmic energy to make our dreams come true, right? Okay, okay, I'm kidding. We all need sleep. So, meditate, breathe, take long walks and make sure you're getting enough rest. Just don't forget to keep a dream journal handy - you never know when Saturn's strict tutoring will inspire the next great idea.
Uranus
Uranus is in Taurus
Uranus is retrograde at 19 Tau 50' 43", moving backwards at 0.03 degrees per day, and is 2810153838km away and receding.
Neptune
Neptune is in Pisces
Neptune is prograde at 24 Pis 54' 38", moving at 0.01 degrees per day, and is 4466277996km away and receding.
Alright folks, gather round and take off your socks, because Neptune has cannonballed into Pisces. I reckon that's about 4.5 billion kilometers away, which is a smidge too far for a pool noodle to reach. But fear not, you don't need to swim for Neptune to get all up in your personal space. This here cosmic event is like trading your regular glasses for high-powered binoculars. Suddenly, all those petty little gripes and grumbles look as pointless as a chocolate teapot.
Just imagine, Neptune’s doing the backstroke in Pisces's pool, mixing up all the emotion and spirit like a cosmic cocktail. And you know what? It's making us see that arguing over whose turn it is to do the dishes isn't exactly helping humanity progress. It’s like finding your glasses after searching all day, only to realize they were on your head the whole time!
So, what does this mean for you, my starry-eyed companion? Well, this is the perfect time to find your own slice of the cosmos. Whether you dust off that old yoga mat, find solace in your grandma's tarot cards, or start a rock band entirely composed of theremins, now’s the time to dive deep into your spiritual side. And don't just keep it to yourself - share it with the world! It's like Neptune's holding a giant ‘show and tell’ and we're all invited.
Remember, we're all in this together, floating around on this big blue marble in the endless expanse of space. So, let's make the most of this Neptunian cosmic cocktail party and see where it takes us. After all, as they say in my neck of the galaxy, "In space, no one can hear you scream...over who left the lid off the toothpaste."
Pluto
Pluto is in Capricorn
Pluto is prograde at 28 Cap 51' 55", moving at 0.03 degrees per day, and is 5341155066km away and receding.
Alright, alright, gather 'round folks, it's showtime in the cosmos! You see, we've got Pluto – the little dwarf planet that could – hanging out in the "I mean business" sign of Capricorn. Now, I don't know about you, but when I think about a tiny icy rock with a heart-shaped glacier chilling (literally) with the celestial embodiment of ambition, well, it sounds like the start of a very peculiar joke... or an epic sci-fi movie.
Now, Pluto and Capricorn, they're an interesting pair - kind of like peanut butter and sriracha, both powerful in their own right, but together? Let's just say, they pack a punch. Pluto, the lord of the underworld, brings up all those things we'd rather keep buried. And Capricorn, the mountain goat, is all about climbing to the top, no matter what. When these two get together, it's like a cosmic spring cleaning of our deepest, darkest corners.
But here's the kicker - as we're tossing out old habits and thought patterns, Pluto and Capricorn aren't exactly the most empathetic duo. It's like they're on a mission, and if you're not on board, well, you might just find yourself on the wrong side of an intergalactic dust pan. So, be wary of becoming too rigid in your views, folks. Remember, a wise man once said, "The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it's stranger than we can imagine." That man was a scientist, by the way, not a hippie. Although, I'm pretty sure there's a tie-dyed T-shirt with that quote somewhere.
So, as Pluto orbits in the realm of Capricorn, be mindful. Embrace the destruction of old patterns, but don't forget to create something new and beautiful in their place. And remember, just like the universe, we're all a little strange - so let's be strange together. Peace out, stargazers!
The Sun
Mercury