Friday, January 9, 2026

Mongolia | Zaisan Tolgoi | Third Nine-Nine | Gurvan Ükhrii Ever Khöldönö

The Third of The Nine-Nines—the Nine-Nines being nine periods of nine days each, each period characterized by a certain type of winter weather—begins today, January 9. Gurvan Ükhrii Ever Khöldönö is the nine-day period of Winter when the horns of three-year-old cows freeze. This period is supposed to be colder than the First of the Nine-Nines and the Second of the Nine-Nines. At 1:00 am the temperature was a relatively balmy  —1ºF.  I don’t know if this is actually cold enough to freeze the horns of three-year-old cows.  On the first day of Gurvan Ükhrii Ever Khöldönö in 2013 the temperature was a chilly —33ºF. Global warming?

Also, today is the day Jupiter gets the closest to the Earth it will be all year—only 393 million miles or thirty-five light minutes away. Jupiter is glowing brightly above the ridges of Bogd Khan Uul south of Zaisan Tolgoi as I write this. Just to the right of Jupiter and a bit below the constellation of Orion is ablaze. 

Next up: Tomorrow is the Last Quarter Moon!!!

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