Dancing with the Stars

There were many things I could have done tonight. There’s always lots of housecleaning to do—and spring is coming. Alternatively, I could have gone to a Film Society showing of “Cooking with Stella” at the cinema. In addition, a local café was hosting an event for International Women’s Day. Finally, there is always lots of reading piled up on my bedside table.

None of those things drew me. Instead, I bundled up and headed out to the back deck with my binoculars and telescope and gazed at the stars. The temperature was -4 but with the wind, felt like -10. The sky was wonderfully clear as it has been for the past couple of weeks.

I saw many friends there; as well, I met some new ones. Every time I go out to look, I try to find something new, something I haven’t identified before. Last night, by chance, I found Coma Berenices, a beautiful cluster in the eastern sky. The trick of course is being able to find the same thing the next time . . . and yes, I did! Same place. Although some people might be able to see it unaided by binoculars or telescope, I am not one of them. First, I scope it out with the binoculars. Then, I look at it with the telescope.

“The heavens declare the glory of God” the Psalmist announces to us. He got it right! The brilliance, the flashing scintillation, and the diamond-dust of the stars takes my breath away! I never tire of looking.

From Coma Berenices, I moved on to the Beehive Cluster (M44). Right now, it’s easy to spot, “southeast” of Mars, which is high in the sky, next to Pollux of Castor and Pollux fame (that’s right, the Gemini twins). I had seen the Beehive before with the binoculars but it was even more stunning through the telescope. I have a Meade EXT-125, which was a gift from one of my children several years ago. Between Procyon and Sirius, I spotted M46 and M47, two more dazzling star clusters. A trip to the sky isn’t complete without stopping by to greet the Pleiades and the Hyades. Oh, and the nebula (M42) in Orion’s sword.

On a night like tonight, I want never to come inside. When I do, it takes me an hour to warm up!

I dream of retiring to dark-sky country somewhere, where I can have a clear view of the sky 360 days a year! Some place warmer, maybe! I dream of filling my eyes with the wonders of the sky. I dream of dancing with the stars.

Dancing with the Stars!

Tonight, the temperature is a balmy 16 degrees, very pleasant for the last day of September. Not only was it warm, but the skies were clear. The night called to me, and I borrowed a pair of binoculars, called on a friend, and we went out stargazing once again.

Armed with the latest edition of Sky News, the Canadian backyard astronomy magazine, a small flashlight, a drawing of the Ursa major constellation, of which the Big Dipper, well-known to many, is only a part, we set out at about 10 p.m.

We were well-rewarded. The wide-sky country of this area does not disappoint. Constellations (and asterisms!) that had eluded me at other times jumped out like diamonds on black velvet: Auriga, lying close to the northeastern horizon; Draco, the dragon, twisting its way between the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper; Ursa Major; Pegasus, with its great square high in the southern sky; Aquila, the eagle; Delphinus, the dolphin, and, of course, the others that are already our friends—Cassiopeia, the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Summer Triangle, the Pleiades, and Cygnus, for example.

And yes, the Coat Hanger! I knew where it should be, and by scanning the area with the binoculars for several minutes, I found it! It’s formal name is Brocchi’s Cluster, but, really, it does look like a coat hanger.

Appreciating the natural world around us doesn’t have to be expensive, even though the ads in the magazines would convince us otherwise. There is so much to see even with the unaided eye. One thing that does make it more enjoyable: a friend to share it with.