Mysteries So Bright

“But downward bends his wond’ring eye at mysteries so bright.”  (From Crown Him with Many Crowns).  

For several issues of a short-lived Caroline County, VA newspaper in the 1990’s, I wrote a column on astronomy entitled IN THE NIGHT SKY, or something like that.  I really enjoyed writing the column, although the weekly deadline always seemed to come too soon. It is exciting to have a fresh incentive to get out during a cold evening or early morning to see some new or old sight in order to have something to comment on.  

I have been an amateur astronomer for about 40 years and have never tired of observing old and new sights in the sky, and as my friends will tell you (some wearily), I always try to share the excitement with others, especially outdoors under a starry sky.

This time of year is my favorite season for evening viewing.  For example, Orion has been a life-long wonderful sight to see.  I’m sure almost everyone has seen it although it is frequently known by other names, such as the Little DIpper.  Several stellar groups are given this label, by the way, and the “real” Little Dipper, connected to the North Star, is relatively dim compared to Orion.  

There are many web sites to encourage sky (sight-) seeing.  And I plan to write here what I have been viewing or studying. 

You may send comments by e-mail to BrightMysteries@verizon.net or leave your comments in the section below to be posted (after I review them).

“The heavens declare the Glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1, ESV)