Articles Archives - Event Decor Supply

Posted on 2 June 2022 by admin

Articles :: VBgov.com – City of Virginia Beach

The Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department is excited to announce a weekend of free arts and cultural events honoring Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom!

“We’re looking forward to celebrating this special holiday through arts, culture and community,” said Emily Labows, Director of the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department. “We hope our community will come out and join us for a memorable weekend of family-friendly activities shaped to connect and share cross-cultural experiences.”

Read more below about the full schedule of Juneteenth-related Cultural Affairs and community partner events, which will run from June 16-19:

June 16

“Black Health & Wellness: Community & Public Wellness” with Norfolk State University

As part of a commitment to celebrate Black history year-round, the Virginia Beach History Museums, Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Alumni and Friends Association and Norfolk State University (NSU) continue their expanded partnership with a virtual panel event, “Black Health & Wellness: Community & Public Wellness.” The panel will explore what makes communities healthy, and how history impacts current access to health, nutrition and wellness. The panel, which begins at noon on June 16, will be moderated by Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, dean of the NSU College of Liberal Arts. Visit NSU’s website to register for this virtual event.

#ThirdThursday Virginia Beach Public Art Walk: “Portraits from a Place of Grace”

In celebration of Juneteenth weekend, Cultural Affairs will host a FREE Public Art Walk at the future home of the Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC) to view the public art installation “Portraits from a Place of Grace.” Richard Hollant’s work, which was done in collaboration with VAACC, highlights residents from Virginia Beach’s 14 historically Black neighborhoods. Cultural Affairs will also be joined by VAACC members who posed for the portraits to share their stories and the origin of Juneteenth. The event begins at 4 p.m. on June 16. Please email ngoodale@vbgov.com to RSVP for this event at 744 Hampshire Ln.

June 16-19

Unity in the Community ArtWalk Along the Boardwalk

The Virginia African American Cultural Center, Inc. in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, will host its inaugural Juneteenth Festival at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, which includes reflective public art murals created by artists from across the nation in celebration of the theme “Unity in the Community.” In collaboration with the ViBe Creative District and the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the artists will paint live from June 16-19, between 16th Street and 31st Street. The formal opening and awards ceremony will be held at 24th Street Park at 11 a.m. on June 19. The murals will be judged by renowned artists Clayton Singleton and Ken Wright, as well as Gary Ryan, MOCA’s executive director. The event will culminate with an inspiring and resounding “Call for Unity in the Community” by representatives from Interfaith Alliance at the Beach, the Human Rights Commission, ViBe Creative District, the Mayor’s IDEA Commission, a poet, soloists, International Artist Dee Polite, Opera Singer Denise Battle, and Mia Guile, a member of the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission. Opportunities for family art activities will also be available. Visit the www.vaaccvb.org for more details.

The VAACC is also a Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission grantee.

June 18

VBGIGS Presents Juneteenth in the ViBe Creative District

Starting at 9 a.m. on June 18, the Virginia African American Cultural Center will present the Gregory Brothers, along with a Juneteenth skit, poetry and African-inspired dances by Dr. Faye Gallop on the ViBe Creative District stage during the ViBe Creative District Old Beach Farmer’s Market. Performances will run throughout the morning at 1810 Cypress Ave. This event is part of Virginia Beach’s Globally Inspired Gatherings series.

June 18-19

Juneteenth At The Beach

Team L.A.M.B. Inc., in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, welcomes the community for its inaugural Juneteenth festival at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront 24th Street Park. Don’t miss this exciting celebration, and highly impactful weekend, jam-packed with family-friendly activities, including education, live entertainment, food, culture and connection. Entry is free both days, but registration is required. Visit www.juneteenthvb.com to learn more. This festival will run from noon to 10 p.m. on June 18 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 19.

June 19

African American Music Month Celebrating Juneteenth

To close out the weekend, the Virginia Beach History Museums and Princess Anne Country Training School/Union Kempsville High School Alumni & Friends Association will host a free musical performance to celebrate African American Music Month and Juneteenth!

“African American Music Month Celebrating Juneteenth” will be held June 19 on the Renaissance Academy grounds, 5100 Cleveland St., and will feature RaJazz , a musical group comprised of seven superb Virginian performing artists who have captivated audiences of all ages and taste with a savory mix of smooth jazz and R&B, and are one of Hampton Roads’ most requested bands! The show features special guests Kween Yakini, an award-winning poet and author of four books, and a Hampton Roads Youth Poet Laureate Ambassador from Teens with a Purpose. Performances will run from 3:30-5 p.m.

The Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum will be open starting at 3 p.m. on June 19, and will remain open during and after the show, allowing audiences to learn about the first high school in Virginia Beach for African Americans. Registration for this event is through the Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation ActiveNet system. If you do not have an ActiveNet account, you will need to create one (for free) to register.

Follow the Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest Virginia Beach arts and cultural news, artist calls and more.

ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:

The Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. The Department assists and directs the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission, coordinates the City’s Public Art Program, oversees Virginia Beach History Museums, provides contract management for the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serves as the liaison with Virginia MOCA and the ViBe Creative District, and is a resource to local arts and humanities organizations.

ABOUT THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH HISTORY MUSEUMS:

The City of Virginia Beach History Museums include the Thoroughgood House, the Francis Land House, the Lynnhaven House, and Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Museum. The museums are part of the City’s Cultural Affairs Department. As part of the municipal government of the City of Virginia Beach, the Cultural Affairs Department engages residents and visitors through meaningful arts, heritage, and cultural experiences to connect and strengthen communities. Visit www.museumsvb.org for more information, and follow @VBHistoryMuseums on Facebook and Instagram, and @VBHistMuseums on Twitter, to stay up to date on all the events and news from Virginia Beach History Museums.

###

Posted on 1 April 2022 by admin

Watch the Sky: From Meteor Showers to Planet Conjunctions — Best Sky Events to Catch in April 2022 | The Weather Channel – Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com

Sky chart showing the close conjunction of Mars and Saturn before sunrise on April 4. (NASA/JPL-Caltech) — Sky chart showing the close conjunction of Mars and Saturn before sunrise on April 4.

(NASA/JPL-Caltech)

If you can tolerate the scorching temperatures, there’s a bright side to April’s summer days, especially if you are a star-gazer: stunning, clear skies.

They provide an impeccable chance to cherish the beauty of our cosmic neighbourhood, and this April has some big astronomical events in store — ranging from meteor showers to the conjunction of planets.

Here’s a complete list, so you can clear your calendars in advance and pin down the dates:

April 1

On this day, planets Mars, Saturn, and Venus will be positioned in a straight line in the southeastern sky.

Also, this day marks the New Moon phase, making it the ideal time to capture faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters with no interference from moonlight.

April 4

Saturn and Mars will make a close approach during the dawn and be visible in the same field of the telescope. The pair can be spotted in the constellation Capricornus before sunrise.

April 16

This would be the night of a fully illuminated Moon. Depending on which part of the world you live in, this particular Full Moon is also referred to as the Pink Moon, Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon, Fish Moon and the Egg Moon.

April 21-22

Sky-watchers can witness peak Lyrid meteor shower on these nights. Named after the constellation Lyra, it is regarded as one of the oldest recorded meteor showers.

The annual meteor shower is usually active between April 16 to 25, and produces over 20 meteors per hour on peak nights.

All you need to watch them is a clear sky, away from city lights.

April 25

Early risers will be able to spot Saturn, Mars, Venus, Jupiter and the Moon in the morning sky. The alignment can be spotted on the eastern horizon.

April 29

Planet Mercury will reach its Greatest Eastern Elongation of 20.6 degrees from the Sun. The planet can be spotted in the western sky just after sunset.

April 30

A partial solar eclipse will gaze the sky, but it will only be visible from southern South America, parts of Antarctica, and over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

For weather, science, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It’s free!

Posted on 4 March 2022 by admin

Watch the Sky: A Guide to the Spectacular Celestial Events In Store for March 2022 | The Weather Channel – Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com

March offers the best opportunity to explore celestial events and capture the beauty of cosmic objects, as the Indian skies will remain mostly clear throughout the month.

Here’s a list of events that will brighten up the March skies:

March 5

The red planet Mars will be close to globular star clusters Messier 75 and NGC 6864 in the southeastern sky. They will appear together, like in a close circle, if seen through a telescope, especially between March 4-6.

Pluto can also be spotted just 1.5 degrees to the west of the cluster, although the dwarf planet will be too faint to be seen from telescopes.

March 6

The night sky will be illuminated by a waxing crescent Moon. Planet Uranus can also be spotted near it.

March 8

A half-illuminated Moon will be seen among the constellation Taurus or the Bull.

March 10

It marks the first quarter of the Moon.

March 12

The Lunar Straight Wall, also known as the Rupes Recta, can be easily seen through a telescope. This linear feature of the lunar surface appears bright due to the Sun’s light.

See Saturn, Venus, and Mars in the pre-dawn sky in March, with Saturn becoming more noticeable after around March 18 or 19. (NASA/JPL-Caltech) — See Saturn, Venus, and Mars in the pre-dawn sky in March, with Saturn becoming more noticeable after around March 18 or 19.

(NASA/JPL-Caltech)

March 16

Venus and Mars will come closest to each other in the southeastern sky before dawn. For astrophotography lovers, it can be an interesting shot, as bright Venus and dim Mars will reach their minimum separation of 3.9 degrees.

March 18

The full Moon will illuminate the night sky.

March 20

It is the day of Equinox, as the Sun will be equidistant from all locations on Earth, making day and night of nearly the same duration. At the equator, the Sun will be directly overhead at mid-noon. This occasion also marks the onset of spring for those who have been experiencing winters.

On the same day, the planet Venus will reach its maximum angle from the Sun at about 46.5 degrees west in the sky. It is likely to shine at magnitude -4.5 in the direction of the southeastern sky before sunrise.

March 21

Jupiter and Mercury will shine bright just above the eastern horizon, with the former likely to be three times brighter than the latter.

March 25

This day marks the third quarter phase of the Moon.

March 28

The early morning hours will offer a stunning view of the crescent moon shining alongside the planetary trio of Mars, Venus and Saturn in the southeastern sky.

March 29

If you missed the chance to watch the aforementioned trio on March 28, fret not, as the planets will appear together again on this day.

Meanwhile, Saturn and Venus will be also positioned at 2.2 degrees from each other.

March 30

A great time to spot Jupiter, as the gas giant will appear like a bright dot in the southwest sky during the morning hours.

The constellation Canis Major contains a star – 7 Canis Majoris – known to have at least two planets. (NASA/Bill Dunford) — The constellation Canis Major contains a star – 7 Canis Majoris – known to have at least two planets.

(NASA/Bill Dunford)

Spot the suns

NASA highlights that March is the best month to locate some of the distant suns, as these bright stars will be easy to find throughout the month.

These include Epsilon Tauri, an orange dwarf star that supports a gas giant eight times more massive than Jupiter. It can be spotted to the right of Taurus, as per NASA.

7 Canis Majoris, which supports two planets, will be visible at the centre of the dog constellation; and Tau Geminorum, which has a planet with 20 times the mass of Jupiter, can be spotted in the castor group of the Gemini constellation.

A great chance to peer into other planetary systems!

Star clusters

During March evenings, high above in the southwest direction, stargazers can spot the Hyades star cluster. It can be located with the help of the Y-shaped constellation Taurus.

The Pleiades, an open cluster, can also be seen in Taurus.

These star clusters will be visible through unaided eyes provided the sky is clear, but for the best view, use binoculars.

For weather, science, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It’s free!

Posted on 26 February 2022 by admin

ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 Detects Massive Solar Proton Events Undetected by Most Global Satellites | The Weather Channel – Articles from The Weather Channel | weather.com

A long filament of solar material hovering in the Sun’s atmosphere.

(NASA Goddard)

Our Sun is a giant ball of hot plasma, and it supports a dynamic atmosphere that affects nearly everything in the solar system. Notably, the powerful eruptions from the Sun—flares and coronal mass ejections—spew a stream of charged particles throughout the solar system. Some eruptions are so powerful that they can completely disrupt satellite-based communication on Earth.

Therefore, multiple space missions from space agencies across the globe study the dynamics of the Sun with keen eyes. The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 is one among them, even though its primary mission is to study the Moon.

Recently, the Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer onboard ISRO’s C-2 orbiter recorded powerful solar proton events from the Sun. What makes it an even more exciting feat is that most global missions could not detect such a strong energy output.

In a media statement, ISRO revealed that the event was “seen” by NASA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) satellite too but remained undetected by it. The GOES satellite failed to detect the event since it orbits around Earth and the Earth’s magnetic field protects the planet from such harmful solar events.

On the other hand, orbiting the Moon, ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 orbiter was able to detect it as charged particles rushed through.

There are five classes of solar flares basically characterised as A, B, C, M, and X—from smallest to most extreme. Among these, the M and X classes of flares are said to be the most powerful ones.

“Each letter represents a 10-fold increase in energy output. This means that an M class flare is ten times more intense than a C-class flare and 100 times more intense than a B-class flare. Within each letter class, there is a finer scale from 1 to 9, i.e., an M2 flare is twice the strength of M1 flare,” explains ISRO.

Chandrayaan-2 orbiter’s instrument detected two M-class solar flares—M5.5 and M1.5—released from the Sun this January. Despite the tragic end to the lander, Chandrayaan-2’s orbiter continues to beam back valuable details.

Another critical observation made by the instrument was the release of energetic particles with one of the flares. It found that Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) accompanied the flare M1.5, consisting of energetic particles due to high-intensity solar flares. This event is also known as the solar proton event or SPEs.

Such high energy protons can severely impact space systems and increase the risk of harmful radiation to astronauts in space. The recorded CME travelled at about 1000 km/s and took at least 2-3 days to reach Earth.

“Such multi-point observations help us understand the propagation and its impact on different planetary systems,” reads ISRO’s statement. As the space agency gears up for the launch of the Chandrayaan-3 mission this year, the orbiter’s success in collecting crucial data about our cosmic neighbourhood remains encouraging.

Chandrayaan-2 holds credit for unravelling several intriguing mysteries, like confirming the presence of water molecules on the Moon to demystifying the coronal heating process.

ISRO launched the second lunar mission in July 2019, and nearly a month later, on August 20, 2019, the historic lunar mission spacecraft entered lunar orbit. The Chandrayaan-2 mission is believed to be 95-98% successful due to precise mission management that has ensured a long life for the orbiter.

ISRO is also aiming to launch several other ambitious missions this year, namely Aditya L1, Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed flight, and other Earth observation satellites.

For weather, science, and COVID-19 updates on the go, download The Weather Channel App (on Android and iOS store). It’s free!