What's
in the night sky
for you? Plenty.
The night sky is the oldest calendar, the oldest wristwatch, and the
oldest compass to all
of humanity. The night sky determines when you might celebrate Easter,
or Passover, or
Ramadan, even in these modern times. Still, most people choose to
remain ignorant of the
motions of the Moon, stars, and planets. One hundred years ago, even
the least educated
person could point out Venus, Jupiter, and the brightest stars, and
everyone knew the
current phase of the Moon. Nowadays, being able to point out the Big
Dipper makes you a
master of arcane knowledge. However, our quartz wristwatch, GPS
navigation system, and
solar-based calendar fail to give us context in our lives. The night
sky is obvious and
irrefutable proof that we live on a spinning sphere hurtling through
space. It ties each
day together in a slowly-changing, inexorable, ponderous and mysterious
walk beyond the
mundane.
Each night, the sky changes a little. A star rises earlier, or a planet
moves closer to
slipping below the horizon. The Moon changes slightly, rising and
setting at a different
time than the day before and the day after. It's unlikely that you will
see the exact same
night sky twice in your lifetime. The heavens conspire to make each day
unique, each day
meaningful and beautiful. Will you turn your eyes away from this
celestial parade?
The night sky demands no payment or fee. No one owns or controls it,
censors or distorts
it. It is incapable of deception or guile. It speaks to the entire
world in a strange,
secret, and patient language to those wise enough to understand. Each
planet follows its
own rules, moves at its own speed, but yet in concert with everything
else.
Even the most urbanised city-dweller can see Venus, Jupiter, Mars,
Saturn, and of course,
the Moon. Anyone can see Sirius in its march across the sky from Autumn
to Spring. The
King Cepheus and the Queen Cassiopeia, the Great Bear and the Big Dog
take their places
and follow the ordained paths. Tonight mighty Orion may take his hunt
across the sky, over
your head. These aren't secrets accessible to a chosen few. No
pilgrimage is needed. This
is the beauty of the planet you were born on, on display every night,
whether you choose
to look or not.
It is my sincere and humble hope that you will take the time to step
outside and
appreciate the sky above you, and I have put together maps and tables
to help you
understand what you see. The meaning and beauty, however, must come
from
within you, as it
has for uncounted centuries before you. And at that moment when you
understand, when you
see the night sky revealed in its majesty and mystery, when the
patterns and puzzles are
seen as old friends, then you will know why someone would take the time
to share it with
strangers. Who, then, will teach your children the ancient art and make
the night sky
their lifelong friend? Who will reveal the gentle rhythm of Earth and
sky to them? Who
among us can deny the wisdom and beauty underlying our everyday lives
when faced with the
brilliant truth of a clear night sky?
No telescope is needed; the ancients had none. An open and humble heart
will serve just as
well. Born with eyes that see, with minds that comprehend, with hearts
that yearn for
truth and meaning, we are given a gift to inspire, guide, and unite all
of humanity.
Everyone in all corners of the world sees the same Moon, but some are
vain enough to
ignore Her. She is secure in Her beauty and wisdom, and She knows that
some few see and
remember. In Her radiant gaze we are connected with the wise and common
from time beyond
memory .
Main sky map page
Todd Dugdale,
Astronomical consultant for the Lunaria Lunar Almanac
