Brian York's Life

My God, it's full of stars...

Written on June 19, 2008

I just went out and looked at the stars (the moon had just set). It was just completely amazing. I saw so many stars, so many, it was even hard to pick out the constellations with all the other stars in the sky. The Milky Way was amazingly clear. You know, this is why I got into astronomy in the first place. But seeing all the stars, with no light around at all, it was like nothing else in my life. I was just so filled with awe and amazement. Anyone reading this, this is something you have to do, at least once. Find yourself a high place, at least 2000 metres up. Make sure there are no clouds at all, dry and clear and cold (you get better seeing in the cold). No light at all. An observatory is perfect, because everything around it is designed to keep the light from getting in. Then just look up. Take a few minutes, and the stars will start appearing. Then the Milky Way. If you’re far enough south, maybe the Magellanic clouds. And it’s just the most amazing sight. I’m going out again tomorrow to see it. I’m still in awe.

« Thoughts from the mountaintop | Main | Travelling All Around »

Entry last updated April 17, 2005