LEAVES: If you’re in McKean or Potter counties, you’re probably seeing the peak of the fall leaves this week.

That’s according to the weekly fall foliage report of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry, which has predicted up to 60 percent of leaves in color through Saturday.

For most of Elk and Cameron counties, the DCNR said 20 to 30 percent of leaves will be in full color this week. The peak is expected to be next week.

“The best colors can be seen in the northern half of Potter County from RTE. 6, Rte. 44, Rte. 449 and Rte. 872,” the DCNR reports. “In McKean County, Rte. 6, Rte. 59, Rte. 321 and Rte. 219 should provide good viewing.”

The northern sections of Cameron and Elk counties are also full of color now.

FELLOW TRAVELER: It was 60 years ago at the first artificial satellite was launched into orbit.

On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1. According to an article released by NASA for the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik I launch, it was the launch that led to its own birth.

The United States was in competition with the Soviet Union to develop the technology, and Sputnik launched, it frightened Americans; they feared their Communist adversary could use the technology to launch missiles carrying nuclear weapons to the United States, according to NASA.

In response, Congress passed the Space Act in July 1958, which called for the formation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration — NASA.

In fact, NASA just celebrated its own birthday: the Space Act called for the creation of NASA effective Oct. 1, 1958.

“Sputnik” means “fellow traveller” in Russian, according to The Free Dictionary.