Stargazers

Total Eclipses of the Sun in our Future

Of all astronomical phenomena, probably none are as captivating as total eclipses of the Sun, and with good reason. What could be more dramatic than having the Sun briefly disappear during a clear, cloudless day, or more alarming?

Until they figured out what was going on, our ancestors came up with many different explanations, and most didn’t view eclipses as good things. Some thought an animal was eating the Sun and had to be frightened off with noise. Others saw eclipses as portends of bad events to come.

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Stargazers

Astronomy or Astrology?

“Hey, Dr. Derrick,” said a young woman, “I saw your picture in the paper. I didn’t know you were into astrology.”

Trying not to grimace, I replied, “I’m into astronomy,” to which she quickly corrected herself, “Sorry, astronomy.”

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Stargazers

Stargazer appears every other week in The Boise City News. Paul Derrick is an amateur astronomer who lives in Waco. Contact him at 918 N. 30th, Waco, 76707, (254) 753-6920 or paulderrickwaco@aol.com. See the Stargazer Web site at stargazerpaul.com.

 Stargazing and Noticin’

  Several years ago I got a letter from a young prison inmate, Beatrice, telling of her newfound interest in stargazing. She said, “Looking up into the heavens gives me a sense of freedom…I plan to enjoy this beautiful universe for the rest of my life.”

  Her letter reminded me of a story someone once shared with me. During an extended visit in the country, a city fellow came upon a local farmer named Elijah who was standing stock still in the field staring into the darkening twilight sky. With a touch of sarcasm, the urbanite said, “Whatcha doin’, Elijah?” to which Elijah witheringly replied, “Noticin’.”

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Stargazers

     International Year of Astronomy

  This is a special year for astronomers throughout the world, professional and amateur alike-not for any unusual events in the night sky, but for what will be happening here on Earth.
  The International Astronomical Union and UNESCO have designated 2009 the International Year of Astronomy “to foster a global appreciation of the role and value of science and astronomy as a unifying activity for humanity.”
  With such objectives as “Increase scientific awareness…” and “Support…science education,” IYA2009 relates as much to science in general as to the field of astronomy.

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Stargazer

 
That Lucky Old Sun

  In a 1949 #1 hit song, Frankie Laine crooned “that lucky old sun has nothin’ to do but roll around heaven all day.” I like the song, but with all due respects to Frankie, it just ain’t so.In fact, the Sun is an incredible workhorse that’s on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, doing the job it’s been doing for 5 billion years and will continue doing another 5 billion, give or take a few hundred million years. And we can thank our lucky stars that it is for without the Sun we wouldn’t be.

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Stargazing

     Jupiter’s New Moons

  To readers of The Boise City News: Welcome to Stargazer, an every-other-week column for all who find beauty and wonder in the night sky. Hoping you’ll find Stargazer informative and entertaining, I welcome your comments, questions and ideas for column topics, and look forward to hearing from you. -Paul Derrick   According to popular lore, scientists, upon making a discovery, are supposed to exclaim, “Eureka!”

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