Mars on the Fall Treat
A small request from my friend, Megan Westmoreland…
“Hey, I can see Mars from here!”
Query to all: Does anybody have a telescope you could bring to the retreat? Seriously, I really want a telescope. The lack of ambient light out in them thar’ hills will be conducive to activities such as star gazing. I would very much like to see the rings of Saturn. (Is that overly optimistic? Is Saturn even visible in our night sky this time of year?)
I have it on good authority (the Seraphim) that
“…the whole earth is full of the glory of the Lord” Isaiah 6:3
Admittedly, however, when standing on the metro, smooshed between sweaty people, trying to find the space and balance to turn the page of whatever depressing book critics are in love with at that moment, it is somewhat difficult to, shall we say, internalize this reality. Filled with glory? Really?
But just maybe, out there in the crisp autumnal air with the leaves putting the mountains in technicolor, touring a vineyard, finding Jupiter through a telescope – all with your new bestest friends, that glory will be a little more tangible. No longer just cerebral. Feel it in your bones. So watching something beautiful like the rings of Saturn brings us much closer to real life, in the fullest meaning of both words “real” and “life.” Just maybe.
Jeff Walton
October 9, 2009 @ 7:37 am
I don’t know about Mars, but it looks as though this is a great time of year to see Jupiter:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/63302977.html
Erica C.
October 14, 2009 @ 10:41 am
So last night’s NOVA program about repairing the Hubble Telescope has me in the mood to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation, in particular the spectacle of the night sky: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/hubble/
As Kevin Kim said “God made stars, ’cause he’s a romantic!” –in the superb sermon video David recently tweeted. http://tinyurl.com/yzwvkw2
So, weather, please cooperate for a little star gazing this weekend.