Don't you wish you had been in the Northwest Territories a couple of nights ago. Okay, maybe not but the Aurora Borealis was/were spectacular by all accounts. The solar storm which could have played havoc with electrical grids and GPSs and other gizmos was kind to the planet, but Earth was a nice big conductor for all that energy for the sun, and it manifests itself as the Northern Lights. Very cool.
When were were in Cuba recently we were walking on the grounds of the resort and noticed the young guy in front of us was standing still, looking skyward. This wasn't just a "made ya look" exercise. He pointed excitedly to Venus and Jupiter in the night sky and told us that Mercury would be in line with them later on. Turned out that he is a young astronomer from Quebec and the lack of light pollution and different perspective made the resort a great place to sky watch. Very cool also.
We Earthlings tend to be earth-bound, rarely looking to the heavens. This week's psalm, number 19, says:
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims God's handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
Do you know much about the heavens above? Have you noticed the difference through the decades as light pollution affects what we can see? Have you ever had an experience of Northern Lights, Milky Way, one of the comets or meteor showers, which has knocked your socks off?
4 comments:
We have a telescope set up at all times. Have been watching the sky for a long time. Have watched a lot of northern lights.Late August was great for watching them in Edmonton.
I loved seeing the northern lights when I lived in Saskatchewan - such an amazing phenomenon.
Actually, I was in Cuba recently and had heard that on a specific day, Venus and Jupiter would be very close to the moon. I was out there looking skyward too. Amazing to see that tiny light and realize it is an enormous planet.
I remember as a child, my father waking us all up one night to look at the Northern Lights, as they filled the sky. We saw them often living in Northern Ontario, however this night they were magnificent! I remember thinking, wow, how beautiful!! Haven't seen them much of late, but have seen the Milky Way from our chalet in Quebec. We are headed there again this week and I look forward to looking at the night sky, as from the chalet porch we can see for miles and there is no light pollution.
Have watched the moon the last couple of nights from our bedroom window, and despite light pollution, it is very clear. Last night it was bright through the cloud cover and as the wind blew you could see the moon coming in and out of view, it was neat to watch.
I also remember seeing the northern lights while living in Saskatchewan. I remember the clear view of the stars there as well.
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