Seeing In the Dark

Monday, 30. June 2008, 18:40:35

Photograph of Orion by Robert Gendler.

Well it's time I got back to my favorite topic recently -- telescopes and
observatories.

A few weeks ago I managed to catch a very cool documentary about
amateur astronomy called Seeing in the Dark. Similar to the discovery
of two planets recently by a pair of New Zealanders, it was a reminder
that astronomy is still very much an open field where dedicated amateurs
can make contributions. But it was also inspirational just to see humans
who are getting beyond this tiny planet and who are looking out to see
the Bigger Picture.

The documentary features a small group of very talented and devoted
amateur astronomers. Astronomer and physician Robert Gendler has
received numerous awards for his outstanding astrophotography. But I
think my favorite of the group was Minneapolis-based musician Michael
Koppelman, who has built this just dynamite little personal observatory
in his back yard (see photo below). The dome on his observatory turns
360 degrees, and a panel slides down in the dome -- just like at the
big observatories. Inside is a nice 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain.

The web site for the show also includes a section called "Explore the
Sky" which contains a bunch of interesting features. One called "Your
Sky Tonight" lets you get a computer generated star-chart based upon
your location. I found it easy to use -- I just typed in "Spokane" as my
location and the chart popped up with no trouble. You can also print
the chart out if you want. And there are a few more interesting features
grouped in the "Explore" section.

You can get Seeing in the Dark on DVD here, among other places.

"Actually, we humans have since learned more about ourselves by
studying the wider world -- by investigating the processes that created
life and shaped its evolution -- than we ever did through introspection,
and we see those processes written large in the depths of the sky."

-- from Seeing in the Dark.

Michael Koppelman's backyard observatory.

Water More Expensive Than GasHeartbeat (Episode 18)

Comments

" I
think my favorite of the group was Minneapolis-based musician Michael
Koppelman, who has built this just dynamite little personal observatory
in his back yard. "

What a great idea that was!
I am sure he gets a lot of inspiration for his music too!
Nothing like watching the stars and wonder what else is out there,
nothing like watching the stars and realizing what happens around you and what hurts you it is just a drop in a bucket (not even that! )

Thanks for sharing all the info and links!
I am spotlighting this so I can have an easier access

By ellinidata, # 30. June 2008, 19:12:43

I'm glad you enjoyed the site, Angeliki. The "Links" section of the site is good too -- featuring a list of internet telescope links like Gemini that I think is a lot more complete than the lists I have compiled here on the blog so far. Definitely worth a bookmark on that one.

By edwardpiercy, # 30. June 2008, 19:28:14

and it was bookmarked as it deserved!

By ellinidata, # 30. June 2008, 19:40:56

My interest in the stars began one Christmas Eve when my dad took me outside to see the "Star of Bethlehem." Of course, it wasn't, but little girls are taught to dream by their daddies.

Good post, Edward.

By Stardancer, # 30. June 2008, 20:11:35

You know, Star, I just had to look that one up.

I found some possible identifications for the Star of Bethlehem here.

But there is also some talk of a nova here which is interesting.

"Chinese astronomers recorded a new star in the constellation Capricorn in March--April of 5 B.C.E. which was visible for over 70 days. This new star could have been a nova (short for the Latin nova stella = ``new star'')....The new star observed by the Chinese would have appeared in the east several hours before sunrise (remember Matthew 2:2 "...we observed his star at its rising"). However, Matthew 2:9 implies that the object was later visible in the south when the wise men headed south toward Bethlehem after their visit with King Herod. A nova would not have moved that much. The constellation Capricorn is well away from the galactic plane (by 30--40 degrees), where most stars in our galaxy (the Milky Way) are found. A nova occurring in Capricorn would be a very rare event."

The bible is terrible as history. But such an unusual astronomical event almost certainly had to have been factual in some way.

By edwardpiercy, # 30. June 2008, 20:28:42

My fascination with Space began when I, as a kid, slept a full night on the beach. It was October, and it got pitch black and I couldn't sleep.

So, I gazed at the stars - which grew to, well astronomical numbers. And I said to myself, much like the guy in the film:

"I can't believe I'm actually seeing this"

This was the first time I truly saw the stars, and that they were not just randomly scattered across the sky. There were forms and shapes. And incomprehensible depths.

Well, I guess you know that. Just to you an idea why I understand your fascination.

By ricewood, # 30. June 2008, 20:29:16

I think that kids are very open to such things. And your description is very good. Many adults are open too, and I guess that's why I found the film so great. And also just the universe itself.

By edwardpiercy, # 30. June 2008, 20:35:13

"My God, it`s full of stars..."

By gdare, # 30. June 2008, 20:46:17

Dave, just prior to his "cosmic trip."

Lucky devil!

By edwardpiercy, # 30. June 2008, 21:01:35

*music from the "2001: Odyssey in Space" in the background*

By gdare, # 30. June 2008, 21:20:55

I have a strange hankering to throw a bone-tool up in the air for some reason.

By edwardpiercy, # 30. June 2008, 21:31:05

By gdare, # 30. June 2008, 21:36:05

I believe in the biblical Star of Bethlehem, Edward, but I'm pretty sure that the star my dad showed me on that long-ago Christmas Eve was not it.

I aint' THAT old.

By Stardancer, # 1. July 2008, 00:23:03

Oh, I didn't mean that!

By edwardpiercy, # 1. July 2008, 03:04:00

I know.

I just had a really great day today, and thought I'd pull your chain a bit.

By Stardancer, # 1. July 2008, 04:01:38

Well that's entirely different. And okay by me.

By edwardpiercy, # 1. July 2008, 04:41:33

Ooooh, beautful photograph!

"2001" was another of those films (like Bladerunner) that I went back to the cinema to watch over and over again, particularly on Saturday afternoons. Probably a good thing, kept me away from the cosmetic counters when I was most vulnerable.