Humans have always been fascinated by the night sky. The ancients described the sky in terms of the patterns of stars we know as constellations. In the modern age we know a lot more about stars and planets and about the vastness of the universe. But even so we wonder and are amazed by what the astronomers tell us about the distance to some of the things we can see without a telescope. Then when a telescope is used we see farther and we see more and we are told that even then there is much more that we can’t see. The picture above is from the Hubble telescope. Those large dots are galaxies. So amazing. If you’ d like to see more pictures from Hubble you can go to this website. http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/
One of the WOW team found this great youTube video about How Big is the Universe. You might enjoy watching it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
And, more food for thought:
Fill a thimble with sand. If each grain of sand in the thimble represents one star, that’s how many stars we can see with the unaided eye.
Then fill a wheelbarrow. This is how many stars we can see with all our fancy equipment.
Now fill some railway box cars with sand. You’d have to stand for two full weeks, as boxcar after boxcar went by, to get a sense of the number of stars in the universe.
So, now that you are thinking about the vastness of the universe, mark your calendar for STARGAZING AT FISHER FARM PARK, Friday, October 25, 8pm to 10pm:
People of all ages are invited to a wondrous night of stargazing at Fisher Farm Park. This event is sponsored by WOW-World of Wonder, Woodland Discovery and Davidson Lands Conservancy. The Physics Department from Davidson College and the Charlotte Astronomy Club are providing equipment and expertise for this popular event. All telescopes will be set up and ready to go by 8pm. After that, no changes to the telescopes will be made. Therefore, you are welcome to come any time between 8pm and 10pm. You’re welcome to bring your own telescope! Bring a flashlight; be sure to have red cellophane put on your flashlight when you arrive at Fisher Farm. This enables us to see the sky better. Keep car lights dimmed and your speed very slow as you drive into Fisher Farm to keep dust and glare from interfering with the night sky. Please keep your dogs leashed and under good control.
No registration is required. However, updated information and potential cancellation notices, due to weather or other conditions, will be sent to the WOW email list. Cancellation notices will also be posted on DLC’s Facebook and website (www.davidsonlands.org).
This is a free event, but WOW and DLC need your membership support. You can become a member for as little as $35 a year. Please join at davidsonlands.org. Donations at the site will be gratefully accepted!
Fisher Farm Park is located at 21215 Shearer Road on the east side of Davidson. Take East Rocky River Road to Shearer, then head north on Shearer about 1 mile and Fisher Farm Park will be on the left. A WOW volunteer will be at the turn-off to the park. Please stop and check in with them. No need to get out of your car.
Hope to see you there!