Fire Mitigation is
Everyone’s BusinessBy Mark A. Gabriel, United Power President and CEO
Everyone’s Business
Recent wildfires, particularly those close to home, demonstrate the reality – and unpredictability – of wildfires in Colorado. Now more than ever it is important to have a plan and be as prepared as possible. United Power serves a territory that includes the plains of eastern Colorado and two rugged mountain canyons in the Foothills with dense forests and ample fuel for wildfires. Thanks to the dedicated effort of your cooperative’s operations team, we implemented a robust and aggressive fire mitigation plan to protect our members. This plan is reviewed and revised every year to make sure your cooperative is taking advantage of the most up-to-date and innovative technology, which can proactively alert us to equipment failure or heat warnings. We encourage all United Power members to read the plan, found on our website at www.unitedpower.com/fire-mitigation, to understand how your cooperative is working to mitigate the possible loss of life and property from wildfires. The fire mitigation plan identifies three core areas of focus: vegetation management, system improvements, and situational awareness.
Astrology with
Divine Androgyne
By: Hollis Taylor
Astrology is an ancient science, with evidence of its use dating back to the time when the Bible was written—possibly even earlier, during the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. It has been integral to medicine for thousands of years, beginning in Mesopotamia in the second millennium BCE and continuing into the 18th century. The practice was most prevalent in Europe during the late medieval and early modern periods, from around 1450 AD to 1700 AD. Over time, astrology has evolved, and today it offers an alternative view of the world, helping to soothe the restlessness that often arises after watching the news.
Wednesday, July 1 — The Summer Triangle and Albireo
High in the eastern sky this evening, you will see three brilliant stars. Use your imagination to connect these stars so that they form a massive triangle. This is the king of the summer asterisms, aptly named the Summer Triangle. The stars anchoring it are Vega (the brightest, in Lyra), Altair (in Aquila), and Deneb (in Cygnus). It is the ultimate summer signpost. Once you find it, you have your bearings for the entire season.
If you trace the shape of Cygnus the Swan (anchored by Deneb), follow its long neck down to its beak, the star Albireo (Beta Cygni). To the naked eye, it looks like a single, solitary point of light, but even under a modest 30x to 50x magnification, it splits into one of the most breathtaking double stars in the night sky. The primary star glows a warm, golden topaz, while its smaller companion shines in a striking, vivid sapphire blue. It is a stunning demonstration of stellar temperatures and a beautiful showpiece of the summer sky.
When observing color in stars like Albireo, don’t stare directly at the core of the star for too long. Let your eye wander just slightly around the field of view. This engages the more color-sensitive cells in your peripheral vision, making that gold and blue contrast pop with much more intensity.
You don’t need expensive, specialized equipment to photograph the Summer Triangle; it is the perfect target for your first foray into astrophotography. Simply mount your smartphone on a tripod — this is important because your hands will not hold the phone steady enough. Open your camera app, engage “Night Mode” (or use a manual app to set your exposure to 10 or 15 seconds), and use a short 3-second timer so touching the screen doesn’t shake the camera. You will be amazed at how easily modern phones can capture Vega, Altair, and Deneb, and you might even pick up the dense, dusty star fields of the Milky Way slicing right through the middle of those stars!