By the end of January, several planets will be visible from Earth and at least four will be visible to the naked eye, without the aid of telescopes.
The phenomenon, known colloquially as planetary alignment, occurs when several of the solar system’s planets are visible simultaneously in the night sky, usually close to the ecliptic – the path the Sun follows across the sky. The term “planetary alignment” can be misleading because the planets do not line up perfectly, either in the sky or in the solar system as a whole.
The planets become visible because they are on roughly the same side of the Sun and are therefore well-positioned relative to the Earth, allowing them to be seen in the night sky. These events are relatively rare and vary in magnitude depending on the number of visible planets and their brightness.
In January, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune and Saturn will be visible in the night sky, CNET reports. They are estimated to become visible a few days before January 21 and remain visible for about four weeks. The fifth week of the year, during the new moon, is expected to be the best time for observation because of the darker skies.
Seen with the naked eye
Provided there is no interference from artificial light where you are, the planets may become visible as soon as the Sun sets. Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can be seen with the naked eye from northern Europe, according to Astroinfo. Jupiter and Venus are the easiest to observe, while Saturn can be difficult to spot in poorer visibility conditions. To see Neptune and Uranus, however, a telescope is required, as well as good visibility conditions.
If you want a chance to see all six planets, head out early in the evening, as Venus and Saturn will soon dip below the horizon. However, Mars and Jupiter will be visible for most of the night.
In the first week of March, Mercury will also become visible, which means a new planetary parade with all the planets in the solar system except Earth. March 8 is predicted to be a good day to see Mercury. The planet will be difficult to see, but the best chance is in the southern parts of Sweden. If you are going out with a telescope at this time, you should be careful as some of the planets will be close to the Sun, and as it can damage your eyes, you should be careful where you point the telescope.
However, this planetary parade is short-lived, as Saturn, Neptune and Mercury will be too close to the Sun shortly afterwards and will no longer be visible.
Finding the planets
Locating the planets in the sky can be challenging. Venus and Saturn are low in the southwest, while Jupiter is high in the east-southeast, according to Astrokonsult. Mars is in the east-northeast, Uranus in the constellation Aries and Neptune in Aquarius. Mercury can be seen low above the horizon in the south-east. Tools such as the Stellarium and Star Walk 2 apps can help you navigate the night sky.
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Despite the end of summer, there is still plenty to pick when it comes to edible plants.Heather grows in the forest, which according to Swedish folklore should not be brought into the home, but which can be effective against gastritis.A common lawn weed that grows in the autumn also contains a lot of nutrients.
As summer turns to autumn, much of the Swedish vegetation begins to wither as the heat fades. However, there are a lot of herbs and other plants that grow into autumn, and also a lot to pick all year round in both forests and fields.
The article was originally published in The Nordic Times on September 14, 2024.
Sweden’s “right of public access” (allemansrätten) allows people to pick many plants, mushrooms and berries in the country’s forests and fields. Remember, however, that one needs the landowner’s permission to pick the fruits of trees and certain other plants. Also, never pick more than you need, and remember that many plants are food for other animals.
One thing that is always important is to never eat anything you are unsure about, as many of the country’s plants can actually be very poisonous.
Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Harvested: All year round
This herb is a very common weed and grows mainly in gardens throughout the country. It grows in large stands and has egg-shaped leaves with small white flowers. It can also be recognized by the hairs on one side of the stem. In Sweden, it is the most common herbaceous weed.
It has many different names, but is most commonly called chickweed because it is often eaten by birds. It is also called fat grass and reed grass.
You can eat its leaves, flowers, shoots and stems. It is rich in carbohydrates and protein with a good amino acid composition. The herb also has a high content of ascorbic acid, i.e. vitamin C. The leaves also contain minerals and trace elements such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, iron and zinc. It is also said to be rich in antioxidants. In short, it has a high nutritional content compared to other green plants.
The plant is often used raw in salads where you can mix in the whole plant, flowers and all. It is also said to be great for making pesto. The flavor is described as mild, grassy and spinachy. It is best to cut the tops and avoid getting the slightly coarser parts of the stalk further down. It should also be good to fry in butter and then flavor with salt, lemon and nutmeg.
The chickweed is said to be expectorant and therefore good for coughs. It has also been used to treat rheumatic pain, kidney problems, hemorrhoids and asthma. It is also said to have been used in folk medicine to bandage wounds. The leaves also have a moisturizing mucilage that makes it effective against sunburn or eczema, for example.
Chickweed. Photo: Harry Rose/CC BY 2.0
Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)
Harvested: March to November
This herb, often considered a weed, grows along the coastal strip up to the central parts of Sweden. It grows in various places such as forest edges, rock outcrops and gravel fields. It flowers in spring, but continues to grow until November. It is paired at the base and then has up to seven pairs of small leaves, as well as some hairy stem leaves and white flowers. It can be easily confused with other brambles, but all in the genus are edible.
The flavor is mildly peppery and you can eat the leaves, flowers, seeds and shoots. It can be used raw in salads, but also in soups or stews. However, it can lose some of its flavor if cooked, so it’s best to add it towards the end. The seeds can be used as a spice.
It contains some carbohydrates and proteins, but also potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. It is also said to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antioxidant properties.
Traditionally, it has been used for inflamed hemorrhoids, coughs, whooping cough and indigestion. It is also used to make a paste that can be applied to wounds.
Hairy bittercress. Photo: Andreas Rockstein/CC BY-SA 2.0
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Harvested: July to October
Autumn heather, as it can also be called, is a dwarf shrub found throughout the country. It often grows in poor soil on moors, in sparse forests, pine bogs and rocky ground. Heather grows to a height of between 20 and 80 centimeters, has coniferous leaves and light purple flowers. It can be confused with the bell heather, but it has urn-shaped flowers instead.
Heather is a common decorative plant, especially in autumn and winter. It is also the landscape flower of Västergötland.
According to Skogsskafferiet, you can eat the stem, flower and leaves of heather. The plant is mainly used as a herbal tea, which is said to have a calming and anaesthetic effect. It is also said to be effective against gastritis, in which case the tea should be taken 30 minutes before meals. Traditionally, heather has also been used for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It is also said to be used to make an infusion of heather and to bathe wounds. Drinking heather tea can also provide relief from urinary tract infections.
The name “Calluna” comes from the Greek kallyno, meaning “to beautify”. According to Swedish folklore, however, it was not a good idea to bring heather into the home as an ornament, writes Sydved. It could lead to both poverty and death, according to the saying: “Pick heather – die young”. On the other hand, the seeds could be used to enrich flour and the roots were used to make baskets. The plant is also said to have been used for coloring yellow and brown.
Heather. Photo: Tero Karppinen/CC BY 2.0
Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Harvested: March to November
It grows on many lawns and pastures, but mainly in southern and central Sweden. They flower almost all year round. The flowers are usually white, but sometimes with pink radius and yellow disk floret.There are also several cultivated varieties in different colors, but the most common is red.
They resemble ox-eye daisies (leucanthemum vulgaris) commonly known as prästkrage in Sweden, but are smaller in size. Daisies also grow closer to the ground and often form “carpets” of flowers, while ox-eye daisies often grow higher up with one flower per stem.
Both flowers and leaves are edible. They can be used in salads and the flowers can be sprinkled on any dish. The flower petals can also be used as sprinkles or instead of coconut on chocolate balls.
In folk medicine, it has been used to treat fever and as an expectorant for coughs. It has also been used to treat eczema and fungus. The stems contain a sap that is said to have been effective against pimples.
The daisy. Montage. Foto: New York State IPM Program at Cornell University, Conall/CC BY 2.0
Summer is slowly coming to an end – but in August, both gardens and nature are flourishing. Now everything from apples and zucchini to chanterelles and blueberries is being harvested, and it’s now that many ingredients are at their very best.
August is the prime harvest month in Northern Europe – gardens, allotments, and forest edges are overflowing with fruit, vegetables, and berries. This is when flavors peak, as produce has had time to ripen naturally under the long summer days. Here are some of the nutritious foods harvested across Northern Europe in August.
Apples
Some apples can usually be harvested in August. Among others, the varieties Discovery, Alice, Transparente Blanche, according to ICA (Swedish grocery chain). Sure, it’s nice to buy Swedish apples in the store, but if a neighbor or friend has an apple tree, maybe it’s worth asking if it’s okay to pick some without extra detours…
Cabbage varieties
Cabbage can easily be attacked by pests during cultivation, but if you’ve managed to avoid them, it’s now that you can usually harvest many cabbage varieties. Broccoli and cauliflower are, for example, nutrient-dense vegetables that can be harvested in August. Broccoli contains more vitamin C, vitamin K, protein, iron and calcium compared to cauliflower, but both are good sources of fiber and also B vitamins.
August is also the main time you can find locally grown fennel in stores. It’s a crisp vegetable with a distinctive anise and licorice flavor, used both raw and cooked. Try it thinly sliced in salads or roasted in the oven. Fennel seeds are also a common bread spice.
Also, among others, white cabbage, black kale, napa cabbage and pointed cabbage are usually harvested in August.
Cucumber
The long cucumber is a popular greenhouse crop in Northern Europe, often eaten raw in salads or on sandwiches. Smaller pickling cucumbers are also common for preserves. Since cucumbers are very frost-sensitive, August is prime harvest time.
Zucchini
Zucchini can often be harvested as early as July, but in August the plants usually produce an abundance. It’s an excellent cooking vegetable, perfect for dishes like lasagna. Zucchini is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Cherries
Right now cherries are growing in large numbers in gardens across Northern Europe, notes among others the magazine Land (Swedish agricultural publication). However, they are not sold on a large scale in stores, but even in these cases it can pay off to check with the neighbor if it’s okay to pick a handful or two since they in many cases otherwise remain unpicked. In the refrigerator, the berries can keep for several weeks. Cherries are rich in antioxidants and also contain some vitamin C as well as potassium.
Radish and celery
The root vegetable daikon radish (similar to large radishes) can be used in all types of cooking, from stews to oven-roasted dishes. It’s also a key ingredient in the fermented Korean dish kimchi. Celery is also harvested in August, rich in vitamins and minerals, and tasty both raw and cooked.
Out in the forest…
It’s not only gardens that provide Northern Europe’s seasonal produce – nature offers treasures too. Right now is peak season for golden chanterelles, and wild raspberries can also be harvested (just watch out for larvae that sometimes hide in ripe berries). It’s also the season for the northern delicacy cloudberries, and of course, blueberries.
The return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park has contributed to an ecological recovery after decades of damage to plant and animal life. Now a new study shows that the park’s aspen populations are finally beginning to reestablish themselves – apparently thanks to the predator’s impact on the ecosystem.
During the 1930s, wolves were completely eradicated from Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. This had major consequences for the ecosystem – as the deer population increased dramatically and began grazing intensively in the park. This led to a sharp decline in trees like aspens. Aspen is considered a keystone species in the park, and its decline affected other species that depend on the deciduous trees, including beavers, insects and birds.
In the 1990s, wolves were reintroduced to the park, which immediately changed the deer’s behavior – not only by taking some as prey, but primarily by causing the deer to stop grazing for long periods in the same places. The result was that vegetation recovered, which has had a major effect on biodiversity.
Remarkable change
Now researchers have documented the first new generation of aspens in the park. In the study, which was published in Forest Ecology and Management, researchers argue that the wolf’s return has contributed to the species’ recovery.
— The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades, says the study’s lead author Luke Painter, who teaches ecology and conservation at OSU College of Agricultural Sciences, in a press release.About a third of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all.
Another third of the examined stands had areas with tall saplings that were growing up to become new trees in the canopy layer, while the rest were still being held back by grazing. Researchers believe this may be due to bison increasing in certain parts of the park. The fact that stands with many tall saplings have low levels of grazing, while others continue to be held back, suggests that aspen recovery depends on an ecological chain reaction where predators affect plant life by reducing the number of grazing animals – rather than on factors like climate or soil fertility.
— This is a remarkable case of ecological restoration, says Painter. Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity.
After an extended testing period, the Rhisotope project in South Africa is now in full operation. The technology, which makes rhino horns both traceable and unattractive to poachers, can now be used on a large scale.
It was in June last year that researchers injected radioactive material into the horns of 20 rhinos in South Africa. The project, called the Rhisotope Project and led by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in South Africa, began six years ago with the idea of stopping poaching of the endangered rhinos. The concept was that the radioactive material should be detectable at border controls, but also becomes toxic to consume. Furthermore, the radioactive material should be harmless to the rhinos.
Now the project has been thoroughly tested and reached full operational status, writes Wits University in a press release.
— We have demonstrated, beyond scientific doubt, that the process is completely safe for the animal and effective in making the horn detectable through international customs nuclear security systems, says James Larkin, professor at Wits University and scientific director of the Rhisotope Project.
Rhisotope Project Goes Live: After six years of intensive research and testing, the Rhisotope Project has officially reached operational status – where rhinos will effectively be protected through nuclear technology. The Rhisotope Project aims to create a powerful deterrent for… pic.twitter.com/maJxXBuzxB
Rhino poaching is a recurring problem, particularly in South Africa. Last year, 420 rhinos were killed illegally in the country, where the horns often end up on the black market. They are often sold as medicine and can be worth more than gold. The treatment is carried out by sedating the rhino and then drilling a small hole in its horn. Two small isotopes with radioactive material are then inserted.
This means in practice that private and public rhino owners, non-governmental organizations and conservation authorities can contact the Rhisotope Project to treat their rhinos with the radioactive material.
— Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to help protect one of Africa’s most iconic and threatened species. By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos but a vital part of our natural heritage, says Jessica Babich, CEO of the Rhisotope Project.
