With the high cost of college attendance, it’s imperative that students and their families start saving early. This includes applying for scholarships long before junior or senior year of high school.
Yes, you read that correctly. There are many college scholarships for younger students. The earlier version of this post details the many benefits of apply early to build a solid college fund.
Be Sure Criteria is Met
➡️Carefully read the eligibility requirements before starting an application. ➡️Don’t apply unless minimum requirements are met. ➡️Some scholarships are renewable, while others are one and done. Be sure to understand the details of each scholarship before you apply. ➡️Adjust future monetary needs accordingly.
If you’re (or want to be) a stargazer, 2026 will offer many special events for you to view.
Special equipment isn’t necessary for viewing most of the events, but can enhance the experiece.
March 2026
March 1– Parade of the planets – Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn, and Venus visible to most. You’ll need a binocualars or teleschope to catch Neptune and uranus.
NOTE: Jupiter, Saturn and Venus will be visible most of the month.
March 3 – A full moon and total lunar eclipse will display a “Blood Moon (check time in your area).”
March 7 – 8 – Conjunction of Saturn and Venus
See here for day-by-day account of events for th rest of the month.
March 20 – March Equinox
As of this posting, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory has not released its video for March.
February 2026
February 1 – The first day of the month presents the “full snow” moon late in the day.
February 8 – The Alpha Centaurid meteor shower reaches its peak.
February 15 – Conjunction of Neptune and Saturn
February 17 – Annular solar eclipse (ring of fire). This event will not be visible unless you’re in southern Africa, South America or Antarctica.
February 18/19 – Mercury greatest elongation and moon conjunction. Neptune and Saturn visible against crescent moon.
February 23 – Crescent moon close to Pleiades.
February 27 – Conjunction of the moon and Jupiter.
Watch the video from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory for details on how to spot the conjunctions and other events.
Sirius, the brightest star visible from Earth, will reach it’s highest point in the sky as the new year arrives. Jupiter and an almost full moon will also be viewable on Janaury 1.
The moon and Jupiter are key players in January.
Quandrantid Meteor Shower Peak
On January 2 and 3 you can catch the peak of Quandrantid.
Supermoon Coming Up!
If you followed the Night Sky 2025, you probably noticed that the year ended with a rare succession of supermoons on 10/07, 11/05, and the final of the year on 12/04.
January 3 will offer the first of three supermoons for 2026. The “wolf moon” will be visible over the first weekend of the year. You’ll have to wait until November for the next one.
Jupiter’s Closet Position Since 2024
On 01/09-10, Jupiter will be in opposition and provide the best viewing for the year.
End of the Month
At the end of January features the conjunction of Jupiter and the moon on January 30/31.
Check back the last week of the month for February events list.
Because the internet is rife with quotes attributed to Thomas Jefferson that aren’t truly his words, here you will find excerpts from letters by Thomas Jefferson in his own words.
Each quote will link to the full text of Mr. Jefferson’s communication, so you can read it in its entirety and full context.
At a time when people referring to themselves as patriots often invoke the term founding fathers along with the Constitution without adequate foundation, it’s important to have objective perspective.
What better way to attain that than via the person’s own words?
Thoughts on Constitutions
The letter expressed thoughts on the Virginia state constitution but it is not unreasonable to conclude that Mr. Jefferson was making a general reference. He also reflects on how the passage of time coupled with experiences impacts one’s understanding and views.
“But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”
