Astronomy, a Common interest
Astronaut training starts at 7? This young man was thrilled to attend wearing his astronaut pajamas. He will be my assistant tonight helping with the Dob scope.
I hear this more times times than can be recalled “I’ve always been interested in space, stars and planets.” It doesn’t seem to matter what your career or job is, there is usually a deep seeded interest in the sky. I believe it takes us back to our childhood when the night sky was an absolute wonder. For those of us in cities it is usually a shared memory of the first time one sees the Milky Way.
I’ve learned there will always be surprises when we do this event. This year the newlywed couple that spent their honeymoon night seeing Saturn for the first time last year returned with new family and friends for their fist anniversary. Five more returned from last year having such great memories.
Those memories for the most part are fueled by the lodge attendants and the amazing hospitality they garner. The food, the facility and the location are all a part of the experience. An astronomy night is really the icing on the cake.
Many have asked my why do I do this, and sometimes on the drive out, sitting in hours of traffic jams, I ask it myself. This year turned out to be more beneficial to me than imaginable. To hear from returning guests about the residual effect their night under the stars had on their children (and themselves) is surprising and truly heartwarming to me. It’s said one never really knows the true effect they have on others. After doing this for so many years I can now marvel at hearing how how a few nights under the stars are talked about months and even years later.
Discussing what type of boots one would wear on the Moon.
Aeisha’s water color rendering of her experience after the laser tour of the night sky in the “Grand Meadow.”