While at Kipungani in
Lamu a month ago I gazed deep into the sky of the southern hemisphere
using a state of art telescope. Glad I look inside and went deeper.
In as much as it is
nothing compare to what the Hubble space telescope would provide – it was still
awesome. Seeing the universe open up for me is definitely something to write
home about. The awe inspiring Orion constellation
– The hunter and its two dogs Canis Major and Canis Minor. Orion to my surprise
is the most magnificent of the entire constellation.
It is said to be visible from most places on earth. Then there was star Sirius – this is the brightest star in
the sky, also known as the Dog Star. And then there was , Planet Jupiter – viewing the largest planet in our
solar system is breath taking. It has over 60 moons – am glad at least 4 of the
moons were visible with the telescope. Now looking at our moon with its
craters is an experience to make you hold your breath.
In any given galaxy
there is approximately one star born a year. It is estimated that there are 100
billion galaxies in the observable universe, therefore there are about 100
billion stars born per year. That means that each day there are 275
million stars born. To keep things in balance there are approximately the
same amount of stars dying each day as well. Scripture equates the number
of grains of sand to the number of stars. Let that sink in. Looking
deep into the night of a starry universe creates an amazing an amazing moment. Interesting though –
as someone once said “In space there is no suffering. In space there is
only creation and light. “
How
many miles to Babylon?
Three score and ten.
Can I get there by candle-light?
Yes, and back again.
If your heels are nimble and light,
you may get there by candle-light
Three score and ten.
Can I get there by candle-light?
Yes, and back again.
If your heels are nimble and light,
you may get there by candle-light
If there is ever a
book that I have owned in my lifetime that totally freaks me out it is Linda
Goodman’s Sun Signs. When I had to disperse my huge collections a few years
back - it was one of the selection of
special books that I retained as I couldn’t bear to part with it. It had
been given to me by sister Agnes. Goodman believed there were two things to
conquer in life; hate and fear, especially if you sought wisdom. She also
observed that those whose star sign is Gemini, like me, have a complete
compulsion to stand for people and a desire to appreciate love. Equally versatile and unpredictable in spirit.
When we do this we become the movers and shakers, not the pawns.
You can imagine how terrified the natives were when it really happened. They begged Columbus to restore the moon – and when it returned they provided the food his men needed until they were rescued on June 29, 1504.
Likewise, perhaps the biblical Moses knew about the strange but natural phenomenon of rapid tides, when he led the children out of Israel to cross ‘The Red Sea’?
In this place he reputedly held out his staff and the sea retreated rapidly. He also repeated the ritual after they had crossed, and the tide again returned rapidly, drowning the Egyptian army.
One unique event relating to the rapid retreat and return of the tides can still be experienced at Mont St Michel in France, where for centuries people who were caught between the island and land on the crossing were swept away and drowned.
The sea comes back so quickly if you are half way you cannot complete the crossing. The timing of the tides also relates to the heavenly bodies, the sun and the moon…enough said.
On the flip side we
can only see a star in the darkness of night. Try putting resentment, jealousy,
greed and anger into the vastness of space, into the night sky. You will
find it gets lost.
"What if each of us
were a star? A galaxy of love.
You are a point of
light.
You were birthed in
the amazing creation of the universe and with your birth this universe became
more loving and expansive." Thanks Bonnie Tarantion for this inquiry.
The Zodiac at Denderra is fundamentally a star map and according to scientists and archaeologists depicts the position of the stars in the night sky 50 years before Christ was born.
Goodman said of the sculpture. ‘Wherever it is from and whoever carved its symbols, its message is eternal: You are endless galaxies and you have seen but one star’.
Lamu is place in the heart … Thank you Edward Wanami of
Kipungani Explorer for taking me through a trip in the universe .. I’m a speck
of dust dancing in mote of light. And still I know light and an endless galaxy
of love.
What if it was Hubble space telescope?
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