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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Sharing black culture Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call St. Mary's robotics students headed to state Heavy rain, high winds flood roads, topple trees Erickson layoffs land hard in Jackson County Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call Tree crushes car, part of woman's house in Ashland Forensic evidence leads to arrest of Golden Wok robbery suspect Power out to 1,400 Pacific Power customers Matthew T. Mangino: Searching for alternatives to solitary confinement Politics and Elections Kent Bush: Fraud kept alive by the left and right Walden sets town halls on Friday Amid rising scrutiny, governor says fiancee won't have role in administration Ashland aims for diversity, but numbers show shortfall Kent Bush: The keys to decoding the State of the Union address Education Sharing black culture SOU board names officers, committees SOU students targeted in Drive Less campaign Parent files discrimination complaint against Ashland schools Some gains, some losses Environment GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban Jackson County won't set up wolf kill compensation program Commercial users can get rid of pesticide waste for free Jackson County looks at compensation for wolf kills Commissioners won't object to BLM road closures State News Letter says Kitzhaber official fired after Hayes criticism Attorney general says Kitzhaber's ethics allegations 'troubling' Willamette football player pleads not guilty to manslaughter 'In God We Trust' leads to Klamath County debate Bill calls for relocation of Washington state wolves Nation - World Obituaries Mary Diane Hudran Maridale Moore Lyn Richard Jeanne (Wells) Lee Antonio Ray Diaz Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Kent prepares for return to Eugene Islands are Ducks' home away from home Comets hang on for victory over Eagles Aldridge leads Trail Blazers past Suns Reid, Beavers hold off Washington State Varsity 541 College Sports Kent prepares for return to Eugene Islands are Ducks' home away from home Reid, Beavers hold off Washington State SOSC Honors Randall, Winton go deep as SOU wins two Pro Sports Aldridge leads Trail Blazers past Suns SOSC Honors In pain, Woods withdraws after 11 holes Curry erupts in comeback win Lopez's return ignites Portland in victory Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Erickson layoffs land hard in Jackson County People in Business Blog: Stay Calm Erickson announces 150 layoffs, mostly in Oregon 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: Home loan rates continue to fall, applications soar People In Business People in Business People in Business Transportation The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Matthew T. Mangino: Searching for alternatives to solitary confinement Our View: Waiting is best approach to wolf damage Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Our View: Our growing disagreement with science Editorials Our View: Waiting is best approach to wolf damage Our View: Our growing disagreement with science Our View: A gesture, but one worth making Our View: No reason to hurry pot-tax vote Our View: Wood-fired steam plant at SOU makes sense Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 6 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 5 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 4 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 3 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 2 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Guest Opinion: Health professionals don't always act that way Help wanted: The Medford School District needs you Guest Opinion: Market forces work against LNG project's success Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose gas pipeline Lifestyle Latest stories Restaurant Inspections Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Warm up your winter with Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup Looking Up: Venus, Mars passing each other Fishing Report: Friday, Feb. 6 Get Out: Friday, Feb. 6 Food Restaurant Inspections Joanna McQuillan Weeks: Warm up your winter with Hearty Vegetable Barley Soup Community blog: Cupcakes can be good for sweetheart's heart Cupcake love affair Fish stew is a winter delight Home and Garden Landscape lighting for beauty, safety and value Dear Monty: First time home buyer seeks differences in housing lifestyles Home Help: 3 upgrades sure to turn kitchen time into quality time Dear Monty: Is a home ‘trade-in’ a good idea? Buying a home? Consider its walkability Health Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Community blog: Five "Must Haves" Health Watch: Don’t let your fitness resolutions fizzle out Community blog: Toxic Love: How to Identify an Abusive Relationship Community blog: A Higher Walk To Better Health Hiking Biking Faith RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements 50 years and counting: Bulebar Wedding: Lindsey-Maria Rios New arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Live Music in Local Clubs Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Theater Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Randall Theatre presents playwright Charles Ludlam's comedy "The Mystery of Irma Vep" Roy Orbison tribute hits high note Thanks for the Memories Theatre presents 'Cardenio' Music Southern Oregon Repertory Singers present 'The Passing of Time' Live Music in Local Clubs Charles Guy & Linda Powers play Belle Fiore Steep Ravine, T Sisters play the Unitarian Fellowship Here it is! Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Len Dickson's 'Fall Harvest' to grace Belle Fiore wine label Dining Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Cheeseburgers on the cheap Valley View — It's all in the family Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW 'Life throws stuff at you' ... Attorney general says Kitzhaber's ethics allegations 'troubling' ... Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call ... 'Life throws stuff at you' ... Attorney general says Kitzhaber's ethics allegations 'troubling' ... Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call ... Looking Up: Venus, Mars passing each other Comment By Peter Becker More Content Now MailTribune.com By Peter Becker More Content Now Posted Feb. 6, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Peter Becker More Content Now Posted Feb. 6, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News Mars (planet No. 4) is closing in on Venus (planet No. 2), night by night as the curious on Earth (planet No. 3) watch from afar. Jupiter (planet No. 5), to their backs, will follow suit in a few months with its own close encounter with the second planet from the sun. The dynamics of the ever-changing positions of the solar system members play out day and night, visible to us each night the clouds cooperate and provide a window to our neighboring worlds. Earth is part of the grand scheme, as our planet carries us in its orbit concentric to those closer and farther from our star. We have no control over where we go as the solar system revolves; ours is to enjoy the ride and take in the view. This winter and spring, 2015, Venus stands gloriously bright in the glow of dusk. The planet rises higher each night; during February look west-southwest about an hour after sunset, where you have a good view free of obstructions. Look about 10 degrees to the upper left to see Mars. You can make a rough estimate of the span of 10 degrees in the sky by stretching out your arm with a closed fist. Your fist will cover roughly 10 degrees. Mars is less than a hundredth as bright as Venus; if the twilight is not well advanced it may be hard to detect Mars at first. Binoculars will show it readily. Mars will look like a reddish-orange point of light. In late February, Mars and Venus will be very near each other from our point of view, making a close conjunction. They are very close on Feb. 21, with the crescent moon also nearby. Venus is moving up (west to east) in its orbit; Mars is moving down (east to west). Later this spring Venus will stand high in the western sky even after darkness falls, shining brilliantly. Jupiter arrived at opposition this past week, directly opposite the sun and rising in the east-northeast just as the sun descends in the west-southwest. Jupiter shines bright just ahead of the constellation Leo the Lion, and is up all night long. As this planet also makes its rounds, come June, planet No. 5 will be passing Venus in the west, making a wonderful, bright duo. At around 2 or 3 a.m. in February you can look for planet No. 6, Saturn, rising in the southeast. Saturn is well up by dawn. Uranus (planet No. 7) is visible in the southwest after dark, but you will need a finder chart and binoculars. At magnitude +5.8, it is barely visible to unaided eyes in a dark sky. (Try the chart at www.skyandtelescope.com.) Neptune (planet No. 8) and Mercury (planet No. 1) are both lost in the glow of the sun. Oh, yes - planet No. 3 is also visible tonight, but you may need a flashlight. Look under your feet! Don't forget the moon! Last quarter is on Wednesday, Feb. 11, rising around midnight. Send your reports to [email protected]. Keep looking up! By Peter Becker More Content Now MailTribune.com By Peter Becker More Content Now Posted Feb. 6, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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