You'll have to go to the history books to find a time when everyone, everywhere was tuned in to the Earth's seasons, the weather, the beasts, the sky at night, and preparations for the season ahead.

 

Speaking of "seasons", Saturday, outdoorsey-types like myself stood in the breezy, pleasant morning air watching our timepieces creep slowly toward 8:00 AM, when the annual ritual of Opening Day would begin for us and the imported Asian Ringneck Pheasant. Roosters were plentiful and the clouds kept the sun out of our eyes. What more can you ask for?

 

Meanwhile, the planet Mars has reached it's closest point to Earth for the next 13 years. It rises conveniently in the east as the sun sets in the west, shining brightly as a an orange beacon through the night. Backyard astronomers with 10" or larger telescopes have been watching the face of the Red Planet transformed by a massive dust storm in recent days. It rages on tonight, while here on Earth, kids and their parents take a rare foray into the great outdoors in the dark, seeking candy.

 

What does Halloween have in common with Groundhog Day, May Day, and Lammas Day (August 1)? Find out from NASA, and read all about the history of the holiday. You may be surprised! It all started back when everyone, everywhere was tuned in to the Earth's seasons, the weather, the beasts, the sky at night, and preparations for the season ahead...