Category Archives: Astronomy

A Tempter In The Sky

Posted on 1 October 2019 by

Christians know well the story of Genesis 3. The serpent is the first villain in the Bible.  At the end of the story, punishments are delivered. Early Christians imagined the extended and winding constellation wrapping around the pole star to … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, constellations | Leave a comment

Book Challenge Day 8

Posted on 14 March 2019 by

One of my two favorite astronomy books of all time. Usually I go for planets and smaller bodies–my astronomy leans more to geology and physics and cosmology. But this book is great.

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Book Challenge Day 1

Posted on 7 March 2019 by

This series will run simultaneously on my fb page. There, no comment, just cover. Here, a few words. This was the first book I wore out. I got another–the same 1956 edition. Today, my go-to field guide for astronomy is … Continue reading →

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Giotto’s Comet

Posted on 4 January 2019 by

Seasonally appropriate, perhaps you know Giotto’s Adoration of the Magi. The star of wonder looks like a comet to me. Europe’s 1980’s probe to Halley’s comet was named for him, because of this painting. Giotto was thought to have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, Christmas | 1 Comment

a.k.a. 2014 MU69

Posted on 2 January 2019 by

The object stuck with the unofficial name “Ultima Thule.” A few things about this: 1. There’s already a solar system body named Thule. By the way, it was the 279th discovery in the asteroid belt. 2. Cool. This is a … Continue reading →

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Under The Starry Heavens

Posted on 31 July 2018 by

Two years ago, I blogged here with another image of Ignatius and his beloved stars. One of my favorite images of today’s saint, Ignatius of Loyola, is above. I wish I could locate a credit and artist; the best I … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, spirituality | Tagged | 6 Comments

On My Bookshelf: The Planet Factory

Posted on 10 February 2018 by

When I was a boy, I read of Peter van de Kamp‘s insistence on having discovered two planets in orbit around Barnard’s Star, a small red orb in our galactic neighborhood. The promise was that being so “close” to us–a … Continue reading →

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