My astronomy story

I took a class with a lab in astronomy at Ole Miss and I was soo extremely excited the night we were going to use the big observatory telescope. I honestly thought I would see something different. I remember asking to stay up late to see three planets in conjunction in Elkhart, IN. But, we were in the city and the lights probably effected my light bucket. I was amazed. It was so beautiful and interesting, but, most importantly I was allowed to be outside late at night, for scientific reasons.

My older brother was not the most responsible fella, and so I was given a lot of restrictions I wouldn't have had otherwise.

My favorite thing was to look at the moon, through my telescope, it was different. I could clearly see the surface of the moon and I mused about colonizing or even creating a planet/moon.

On to my story, I do not know what I expected to see differently, at the observatory we were looking at Orion, which I had seen and analyzed before. With baited breath I waited for my turn. It came, and I stepped up and peered through. I turned around and asked immediately if it was the right coordinates.

The moon appeared closer and in greater detail, fascinating and thrilling, but all I saw was a brighter sky with more stars everywhere. And I learned a very important lesson, as my young mind considered the cosmos. The moon reflected light but generated none, there were really so many more stars creating their own light only I needed more,power to even discern them.

We had heard that theory about a forest of trees and if the forrest ever ended we could see that clearing. It was an analogy for the universe that he has no end and any infintesimal degree, no matter the direction we would see a star. Now, I thought.this was important, but I didn't.comprehend it yet. But, that night at the observatory I did.

It can be likened to any experience. If we are looking for something great we will find it, but if we casually, and lightheartedly go through the motions we won't get as much from it, if anything at all.