It was a beautiful fall evening near the coast but in astronomy terms we thought the “seeing” conditions were poor. It was damp and dew was forming quickly. Light cirrus clouds were overhead. Nevertheless, we used an 8 inch SCT to observe the setting moon before turning to Jupiter. We did not expect to see much of Jupiter. After setting the special black and white video camera in place of an eyepiece, we ran the video signal to a little 5 inch black and white monitor. To our surprise, details of Jupiter could be seen that I had not seen before in any of my backyard observing. I made a quick sketch (shown above).
Four days later on a clear night in central Virginia we observed Jupiter again. This time we used a telescope with twice the light gathering capacity and about the same apparent seeing conditions. I used a video camera with color capability and tried several settings to get the best picture of the planet that I could. The second sketch below shows the results I recorded. The level of detail I could see, even with the larger aperture and a color-capable camera, was not quite as good as the observations near the coast a few days earlier. I expected a much better view.
The difference in the two observing periods was atmosphere in the lower part of the atmosphere above our heads. On November 13th there was a lot of moisture in the water column but it had a stabilizing effect. The earlier sea breezes had been mild and steady. The combination of these conditions made ideal conditions for observing a few hours later that was not apparent on the ground where we had set up our equipment. On the other hand, conditions at home near the mountains a few days later were being affected by turbulent and dry air that had been upset by the Blue Ridge Mountains as it moved eastward and over our home.
The difference in atmosphere for the two observing periods reminded me of that the atmosphere in the heart of a person, can also have a dominant effect on what can be “seen.”
At one point in the ministry of Jesus Christ, after proclaiming the good news of the Gospel and performing miracle after miracle in the Galilean region, he revisits his hometown. There was an atmosphere of distrust. The townspeople questioned where he got his power and said that he was just a person—like his brothers and sisters who still lived there. Jesus quoted a scripture that says a prophet has no honor around his home or among his relatives. It states he could not do many miracles there because of their amazing lack of faith. The atmosphere among the people, which was marked by a lack of faith, made a large difference in what he did. (Reference: Mark 6:1-6)
Today is not much different: the atmosphere of the heart, if marked by a refusal that God exists, is unable to fathom the remarkable words and truth of Jesus Christ. So the search for answers is constrained for answers in self. It follows that the search for origins is constrained to natural processes, where the universe, and even life itself, must be self-generated. Creation by God is outlawed or not seriously considered.
Consider the atmosphere in your heart, because it can make a difference in what you are able to see.
