| Meet Mercury, the 800° Fleet -Footed Messenger
Get your visitor’s guide to Mercury—and find out why the Demon Star isn’t so scary—with our digital magazine EXTRA!, which comes as part of your membership in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club. |
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 | Dear Skywatcher,
You read that right. Mercury is closer to the Sun than any other planet, and surface temperatures can reach 800 degrees. And you thought that summer here was hot! Mercury is fast, too, orbiting the Sun in only 88 days, as compared to our Earth’s 365 days.
The ancient Romans named the speedy planet for the fleet-footed Messenger of the Gods. It’s a testament to their observational skills that they noticed Mercury at all, though. From here on Earth, the innermost planet never appears to venture very far from the Sun, and to see Mercury, you have to know exactly when and where to look.
Good news, though. When you subscribe to The Old Farmer’s Almanac you get a printable Sky Map each month in our EXTRA! digital magazine, which gives you the location of visible planets, stars, and constellations. You get tips on the best days and times to spot our celestial neighbors, as well as how bright your favorite star or planet may appear in the sky.
That’s just a small part of your guide to the universe that comes as part of your membership in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club. The only other thing you’ll need is a dark sky. |
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| Exploring Mercury | Fascinating as it is, we don’t recommend any vacations to Mercury unless you have a futuristic personal air conditioner. But even though we can’t go, we can send spacecraft, and in fact NASA has sent two crafts to learn more about the tiny planet. In 1974–1975, Mariner 10 made three flybys of Mercury, sending back the first close-up photos and discovering that Mercury has its own magnetic field.
In 2011, NASA’s MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) orbited the planet for 4 years, collecting scientific data and taking thousands of high-resolution photographs of Mercury. The photos show that, at least on the surface, Mercury resembles our own Moon.
There is also a third spacecraft en route to Mercury. The BepiColombo, a collaboration between the European and Japanese space agencies, is expected to reach Mercury in 2025. What do you think it will find out? | | The Demon Star | Along with some of our nearby planets, there are about 9,000 stars that you can see without binoculars or a telescope. Most of them glow steadily, night after night, century after century. But in the constellation Perseus, one star, is different.
Algol is known as the Demon Star and has been associated with bad luck and calamity since ancient times. The name comes from an Arabic phrase meaning “the head of the ogre.” We don’t know for sure why Algol is connected to such dire pretense, but we do know that it is one of about two dozen stars that appear to change in brightness.
Every 2.86 days, Algol dims dramatically, only to return to its original brightness a few hours later. This amazing event is easy to see with nothing more than your own eyes. Don’t worry, though. There are no supernatural powers at play here.
Algol’s change in brightness is because it’s not actually one star but two stars orbiting one another in close proximity and nearly touching every 2.86 days. From our viewpoint on Earth, the dimmer of the two stars passes in front of the brighter star, partially hiding it from view for a brief period.
Wondering when you can see this amazing dance of the stars? To find out more about this and so many more nighttime wonders, join The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club. |
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| Star Light, Star Bright | Did you know that at least 7,000 years ago, early astronomers began documenting mythological creatures, supernatural beings, and everyday tools and weapons, all composed of stars? The names and patterns of most constellations have changed since then, and it was less than 100 years ago that the scientists agreed upon the 88 constellations that we recognize today.
Greco-Roman astronomer Claudius Ptolemy might be happy to hear that. In the 2nd century, he produced the Almagest, a 13-book effort devoted to different aspects of astronomy. In books VII and VIII he identified 48 constellations, 47 of which are still recognized today.
In 1612, Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius invented the constellation Camelopardalis, the Giraffe, from a jumble of faint stars between Ursa Major and Perseus. Polish astronomer Johannes Jevelius created seven new constellations in the late 1600s. New constellations were identified throughout the next few centuries to fill in those parts of the sky where none existed.
Ultimately, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) determined in 1922 that there would be 88 constellations, with boundaries drawn so that every part of the sky lies within a constellation.
If you’re as fascinated by astronomy as we are, you won’t want to miss our monthly digital magazine, EXTRA! It’s part of The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Membership, which gives you the brand-new hardcover 2020 edition of the Almanac; a fun Everyday Calendar filled with fun facts, wisdom, and folklore; and the full-color monthly EXTRA! digital magazine with information and other content not found in the print edition—plus a bundle of bonuses. |
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| Get full access to everything under the Sun, including the Moon, weather, vegetable and flower gardening, folklore, nature, home remedies, and more—with your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership! | Introducing The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership! This new and exciting club is designed especially for you—and it’s packed with articles, advice, best days, facts, and fun that you cannot get anywhere else!
Your Charter Membership gives you all the elements of a true almanac—a “calendar of the heavens” and a “time capsule of the year” for 2020, plus some fantastic bonuses when you join today. More about those bonuses in a minute.
Since 1792—in fact, every day since!—The Old Farmer’s Almanac has been trusted and enjoyed by folks from all walks of life: people who grow their own food depend on the planting dates; home cooks, gardeners, and folks hungry for something quick and delicious love the recipes; just about everybody checks on the Moon phases and sunrise and set times … as well as the weather forecasts … to know what to expect on any given day, week, month, or season.
With The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership, you’ll have content that is both useful and humorous. You’ll discover quirky facts, timeless adages and advice, amusing quotes and profound proverbs, contests, Anecdotes and Pleasantries, Best Days to do things (from fishing to weaning from planting to setting eggs, for example), and so much more!
Your Charter Membership gives you everything that you’ve come to expect and depend on in an Almanac—valuable and accurate content and advice. In fact, fulfillment of readers’ expectations has made our Almanac the best-known and most sought after Almanac for generations.
Did you know? The Old Farmer’s Almanac is the oldest continuously published periodical in North America! We got started with this valuable content in 1792—when George Washington was president and the U.S. Post Office Department was first established . . . and we’ve been at it ever since then, for 228 years! | | | Get 52% off Charter Membership in The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! |
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Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac! |
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| Save 52% when you claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! | | | People always ask how and why our Almanac has lasted—and continues to be a best seller. The answer is simple: We stay true to the original mission of founder Robert B. Thomas, who declared in an early edition, “Our main endeavour is to be useful, with a pleasant degree of humor.”
We believe that, especially in today’s trying times, finding humor and enjoyment in daily life is important and can be uplifting, and we hope you like our light-hearted fun and find the joy in chuckling at our witty and inspiring words.
This will make you smile, too: Every edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac is fresh, new, and designed to make the year one of the best ever. How do we do that? With entertaining and informative articles. With your Charter Membership, you’ll be able to read about:
- Foolproof advice for growing your own food, whatever your experience level.
- Timetables and advice for spotting meteor showers, bright stars, conjunctions, and other fascinating astronomical events.
- Daily weather forecasts for every region of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
- Fresh new ways to savor your garden harvest, including winning reader-submitted recipes.
- “Adventures in the Zodiac Zone”—what’s behind the Sun and Moon?
- The “full” explanation of if and why more strange things happen during a full Moon than at other times.
- And more—almost 300 pages of riveting content!
Plus, charts, maps, and photos bring it all to life for you—making every article and every table easy to understand and follow.
But that’s just the beginning! Here’s just some of what else you’ll discover in the 2020 Almanac:
- Growing Farmers: stories, inspiration, and advice from the folks who grow our food. Find out how farmers are adapting to changing times to keep their farms productive.
- Looking for a little peace and quiet? Aren’t we all! Find out why that is becoming more of a challenge in “A Sound History of Noise.”
- Timetables and advice for spotting meteor showers, bright stars, conjunctions, and other fascinating astronomical events.
- Best days for planting, pruning, weeding, grafting, and controlling pests, plus tips on fine-tuning your phenology skills for a more fruitful, vibrant garden.
- Fresh new ways to enjoy coconuts. From fresh to toasted, curry to cream pie and beyond, prepare for a tasty adventure.
- Easy, delicious, and Almanac prize-winning recipes that take pasta to a new, delicious level.
- Ready for a little old-time fun? Find out the story behind the game of horseshoes.
- Need to take care of some aches and pains? Read our article on some home remedies you can make that are just as good (or better) than what you can buy.
- The “full” explanation of if and why more strange things happen during a full Moon than at other times.
- They say that dog is man’s best friend. Find out the story behind that in “How Dogs Train People.”
- Thinking of getting chickens? Read “A Chicken in Every Plot” to learn the benefits (and risks) of having chickens in and around your garden.
- 2020 is a leap year, so we’re celebrating with a look at all the different ways leaping has made its way into fun, games, science, sports, and more.
- Donkeys come in many colors and a wide range of sizes. Learn more about these social creatures in “Burro Into This.”
- Take a (virtual) nature hike on Snake Road and learn how the last ice age shaped the land.
- All this and too much more to mention for nearly 300 pages of riveting content!
Plus, the Almanac’s easy-to-follow charts, maps, and photos bring it all to life for you—making it all easy to understand and use. | | | Get 52% off Charter Membership in The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! |
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Get Your Special Pass— Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac! |
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| Save 52% when you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! | | | | An Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership will deliver exciting rewards for you—and for a special introductory rate right now, to all new Charter Members. | When you join today, you’ll ensure that you get the latest details about Almanac events and forecasts—and you’ll enjoy all these benefits:
- Your best garden ever—Almanac gardening advice, planting dates, time-saving tips, and detailed guidance from experts will get you growing like never before.
- You’ll know in advance about every important astronomical event in 2020—when they’re happening, where in the sky, and the details and delights of each one.
- You’ll have access to the world’s best source of Almanac content—from astronomy and weather to anniversaries and milestone dates; from important (and little known) holidays and religious events to traditional days in calendar folklore.
- You’ll save time and money when you follow all the practical advice and tips that we deliver to you about everything from gardening to food preparation and cooking.
- You’ll be a weather expert in your family and circle of friends—no one else you know will have the detailed knowledge about forecasting and weather that you’ll have . . . and for every region of the country!
| | How can you not consider becoming an Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Member? | | What you’ll get with an Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership. | When you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership today, your Charter membership will include:
- The Old Farmer’s 2020 Almanac—Our newest edition, the hard-copy version will be shipped to you with everything you’ve come to expect from the world’s premier almanac.
- Bonus #1: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2020 Gardening Wall Calendar. Each month features a beautiful full-color original illustration of seasonal plant or animal life, as well as timeless gardening secrets and advice, folklore, fun facts, and holidays—plus Moon phases to help you use the “Planting by the Moon” chart and have your best garden ever!
- Bonus #2: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1820 edition—A printed version will be shipped to you with your order. Take a trip down memory lane and see what one of our early Almanacs looked like! It’s a time capsule of life 200 years ago!
- Bonus #3: The Old Farmer’s Almanac 1920 edition—A printed version will be shipped to you with your order. Another classic Almanac, this takes you back a century: Compare the content then and now!
- Bonus #4: The Old Farmer’s Almanac EXTRA! —A treasure trove of digital updates and Almanac content not found in the printed edition, including audio and video multimedia content. EXTRA! is far more interactive and fun than plain printed pages!
- Bonus #5: Complete access to our EXTRA! library, with 40+ digital issues at your fingertips any time!
| And all of this is available to you—right now—when you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership.
What are you waiting for? This Charter Membership offer is in effect for you right now!
No other Almanac has so many fun and fascinating facts, timely and accurate events and predictions, and topical and useful articles all in one place for your easy access and use—and covering more regions of North America than any other almanac or resource! |
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| | Get 52% off Charter Membership in The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! |
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Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac! |
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| Save 52% when you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! | | | | Why not join right now? | Gardeners, weather and sky watchers, and nature lovers everywhere have been enjoying The Old Farmer’s Almanac for generations, and now it’s easier than ever for YOU to experience it all with an Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership.
When we created this new club for folks like you, we wanted to make it easy to use, easy to order, and packed with content and value—that’s why we named it the “Best Value Club”! The Almanac is the ultimate resource for gardening, astronomy, folklore, nature, and more, and now it can be all yours with your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership. |
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Special Introductory Offer is Now in Effect!
Special limited-time Charter Membership offer for you right now!
When you respond today, you’ll be among a select group of Almanac friends to take advantage of this special Charter Membership offer.
Activate your Charter Membership in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club today, and you’ll get access to unique almanac content that you can’t find anywhere else—plus five bonuses!
Join other weather and astronomy watchers, gardeners, nature and food lovers, and trivia fans—for half-off when you respond today!
This is a limited-time offer that you should take advantage of right now. |
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Why not be among the first—gardeners in your neighborhood; weather and astronomy watchers under the Sun; cooks in your community; trivia fans in your circle; nature-lovers in your area—to join us today and benefit from all the valuable Almanac information that you simply cannot get anywhere else?
Become an Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Member today—while this special offer lasts!
Sincerely,
Janice Stillman
Editor, The Old Farmer’s Almanac
P.S. You should act today to claim your Charter Membership in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club—including your 2020 issue of the Almanac …and your bonuses, too! | | | Get 52% off Charter Membership in The Old Farmer's Almanac Best Value Club! |
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Get Your Special Pass—Access to the World's Most Beloved Almanac! |
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| Save 52% when you claim your Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Value Club Charter Membership—become a Charter Member today! | | |
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