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Look up to see the wonders of the universe
Look up and see what you've been missing
Date published: 4/26/2007
IMAGINE A PLACE If that is too hot for your imagination to handle, envision a place so cold that any living thing would freeze in a matter of seconds. If these places sound out of this world, it's because they really are. These are not places from a science-fiction novel; they are a few of the planets in our own solar system. We can understand these places through the study of astronomy. Astronomy involves the study of the planets, sun, moon, stars, galaxies and other mysterious objects in the universe. We humans inhabit our own little planet Earth and rarely give a second thought to the heavens above us or the universe in which we live. In that universe, the sky puts on a show every clear night, and admission is free. All you need to enjoy the show are your eyes and a thirst for knowledge. The universe is like a mystery novel waiting to be read and understood. Earth is just one of many planets that orbit an average-sized star called the sun. The sun is just one of billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. The Milky Way galaxy is one of billions of galaxies in the universe. These are just the ones we can see with our strongest telescopes. Who knows what lies beyond? One thing is certain: The universe is vaster than we can imagine. The distances between the stars are almost unimaginable, and the distances between galaxies are unfathomable. Our earthly scale of miles becomes useless in the vastness of space. It is my intention to help decode some of the mystery and misconceptions associated with astronomy and the universe. I aspire to bring you closer to the heavens above by bringing the universe's wonders down to earthly level. Every month, I will discuss a topic of interest pertaining to astronomy or space exploration and show you how to find the planets and brightest stars in the night sky by using the Earth's closest neighbor, the moon, as a guide. This journey is one that the entire family can enjoy. You can start on the next clear night by simply looking up and feeling the majesty. David Abbou is a resident of Stafford County. He has been an amateur astronomer for more than 30 years and is a member of the Rappahannock Astronomy Club. Send questions or suggestions for future columns to: david.abbou@verizon .net
Date published: 4/26/2007
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