I began my adventures into astronomy in
the late 70's in a state of almost perfect ignorance. Ignorance not
being a derogatory term, but simple fact. This is true of any
endeavor we seek to explore, especially at a young age. Those
initial sparks that begin the quest, like the proverbial butterfly
effect, have grown more influential exponentially through time.
Like time itself, now can be traced to the beginning.
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| Rediscovering observing at fifty-one |
As I ventured to see this vast
universe, observable from our familiar perch, the universe also grew within me. Now
decades later, having been both an observer and photographer of the
starry realm, I recognize that the two have always been competing
with each other. Photography is a means of capturing, for others to
see, a glimpse of what is not normally observable. Observing – the
simple act of seeing first hand what may be held within the scope of
human vision. Under dark skies, a surprising amount come to find out. Eyes are the most
useful tool in exploring astronomical phenomena. Stars, clusters of stars, nebulae and galaxies, just to name but a few.
Fast forward forty-some-odd years since
I first peered through a telescope and hence forth hundreds
(thousands?) of hours at the telescope, behind the astro-camera,
binocular, or unaided eye. The trove of films, notebooks and
memories distill down to the one thing.
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| What a long time under the night sky looks like |
Perhaps it is age now and more recently
my health limiting my abilities. I've tried to rekindle the
technical passions required to photograph the night sky. I do feel
my ability to participate in the modern methods of the craft much
beyond my ken. A veteran astronomer now taken to reminiscing. My
seemingly productive years now behind. I am left wondering – what
now?
The one thing that is left, is time.
Time to put it all in perspective. Time to once again, observe,
occasionally photograph, to write, and to put it out there.
There are stories to tell.
