The late 1950's were an exciting time to live in. The world was engaged its first timid steps into space. The human imagination was set on fire by the writings of early science fiction writers like Asimov, Heinlein, Bova and Clarke. Like many, I was intrigued by the potential for exploration presented by what we used to call, the space age. Since it was unlikely that I would be boarding a spaceship anytime soon, I was left to stand out under the stars with only my imagination to guide me. Before very long the starlit fields of my youth became like beaches on the shores of eternity. As waves beckon the seafarer, the undulating lights of the stars called out their haunting refrain whenever I found myself upon their shores.
A growing curiosity about the heavens spurred me on to start reading about astronomy. My cousin gave me my first astronomy book, "The Stars are Yours" by James Sayre Pickering. The Andromeda galaxy was still thought to be a nebula. Nebula are typically thought of as large clouds of gas and dust within our own galaxy. The reader explores the universe in an extraordinary car, capable of traveling at infinite speeds. Soon I would need more than a book to satisfy my quest.
I gained familiarity with the night sky by learning the constellations. Soon I recognized the planets, those frequent interlopers along the ecliptic. I became fascinated by the periodic appearance of meteors, particularly during the Perseids meteor shower of early August.
At Christmas time, 1966, I found a wonderful pair of 7 X 50 binoculars beneath the tree. If there was ever a question regarding my interest in the stars, those binoculars were the answer. Never before had I ever seen so many stars... many happy hours were spent with those first binoculars. I could even see galaxies and nebula.
Soon it became apparent that I needed a telescope. We did not have the money to purchase one. I had been attending astronomy meetings at the Science Center with my cousin for over a year. My cousin was in every sense a brother to me. He suggested that I try building a telescope. Being little more than 14 at the time, I had never considered such a notion. He convinced me that I could create a telescope if I gave it an honest try. I would also appreciate the instrument more if I actually constructed it myself.
With my cousin's help, in roughly three months I had learned how to grind and polish a telescope mirror. Next I constructed a tube and mounting for my new instrument. Soon my new instrument would be ready for "first light."
That first fall evening with my telescope is one I shall never forget. The air was crisp and the sky was crystal clear. One by one the stars began to appear as the evening twilight deepened with the setting sun. I aligned my telescope with Polaris (The North Star) and readied the eyepieces.
For the past few months, I had been watching Jupiter work its way westward each evening. This would be the first target. Soon I was looking upon the largest planet in the solar system. Named for one of the greatest of the mythical gods, Jupiter filled the field of view. There it was, hanging in the limitless void... the planet that was almost a star! In just a fraction of a second, the telescope transported me to a vantage point apparently over 450 times closer to Jupiter than the unaided eye sees from the Earth. So this is what upset the Heliocentric Theory 500 years ago!
For over
a quarter of a century. I have remained dedicated to the study and appreciation
of the night sky. My cousin showed me the doorway to the universe, all
of its priceless treasures, and the beauty and promise of creation.
Portals to Adventure:
The Hubble Space Telescope Electronic Information Service
International Astronomical Union Astronomical headlines and IAUC announcements.
SEDS Messier Database Online graphical catalog of Messier Objects.
