More Sun, Crafts Fest, PHS Alumni Band to Play at Homecoming

1. The Weather: Another beautiful summer-like fall day is on tap for today, according to the National Weather Service. Today will be mostly sunny, with a high of about 85 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of about 67.

2. From history.com's This Day in History: "The Soviet Union inaugurates the "Space Age" with its launch of Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite. The spacecraft, named Sputnik after the Russian word for "satellite," was launched at 10:29 p.m. Moscow time from the Tyuratam launch base in the Kazakh Republic. Sputnik had a diameter of 22 inches and weighed 184 pounds and circled Earth once every hour and 36 minutes. Traveling at 18,000 miles an hour, its elliptical orbit had an apogee (farthest point from Earth) of 584 miles and a perigee (nearest point) of 143 miles. Visible with binoculars before sunrise or after sunset, Sputnik transmitted radio signals back to Earth strong enough to be picked up by amateur radio operators. Those in the United States with access to such equipment tuned in and listened in awe as the beeping Soviet spacecraft passed over America several times a day. In January 1958, Sputnik's orbit deteriorated, as expected, and the spacecraft burned up in the atmosphere."

3. Looking for a house for less than $200,000? Check out this data base.

4. The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival kicks off today at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

5. The Patapsco High School Alumni Band will join the school's student band for the playing of the Alma Mater at tonight's homecoming game.