This August night in Crozet Virginia was clear and still. My wife and I prepared our small sketch kits to be ready to start observing the Swan Nebula later that night. I set up the 8 inch Schmidt Cassagrain scope with a special lens to reduce the focal length (widen the view and reduce the magnification). The special lens is on the front of the scope, and a special color astro-video camera is attached to that lens. It took 40 minutes to set up all the monitors and lines, so the composite video image of the object could be brought to our color monitors in the house. Facebook announcements gave a start time of 10 pm, and we were on time.
Once the equipment is set up, the procedure is to align the telescope to the heavens about 20 minutes before start time, find the Swan Nebula (M17), and adjust the video camera to enhance the detail we could see. Once the image looks good, we test the inside monitors, setup a small security camera to be able to show the development of our observing sheets on the Swan, and sign in to Night Skies Network (www.nightskiesnetwork.com). Our incoming video image is brought to our monitors but also my laptop via a “pick-up” device. The laptop software permits the video to be sent to www.nightskiesnetwork.com, which rebroadcasts the signal for anyone that wants to watch. As the facebook announcement stated, interested people can sign in as guests or members, find our broadcast channel (rolandskyone), and observe the object as well as hear us. They also hear our instruction for developing an observation sheet of the object, see the occasional live image of our developing sketches, and can ask questions or make comments via a chat box.
Just before 10, when the broadcast signal is started and adjusted, I start the chat box introduction about what we do and why, make mention of the created heavens (created by God, as described in Genesis and other places), talk a little about out mission work overseas to teach observing disciplines of the heavens from a biblical view, and invite the “watchers” to participate.
By 10:15 we had 10-15 people that were interested. I keep talking to provide instruction about how to develop the observing sheet. While I talk, I develop my own sheet. This makes for a pretty busy time. For this night, however, the object was so beautiful, because of our clear skies, that we could enjoy the shape and color as observing sheets were developed. I always caution adult observers to be appropriate in their chat box discussion, since we often have children who are watching. It keeps the conversation oriented to the observing process and keeps it appropriate for children. This particular night we did have a father/son team, and the young boy stayed the whole time!! We never know who is going to watch. It is not uncommon to have people from several countries and to have people with a wide variety of backgrounds. This evening was no different.
While Linda works her sketch, I work mine, but we also flip the transmitted video back and forth from the object as seen by the video camera on the telescope to our observation sheets, which we are developing in our home. This permits participants to watch our disciplined process of developing the star field and major features of the Swan. This has proven helpful for those learning the same process. The two-hour session went fast. Near the end of the broadcast we show our finished sheets and give thank to the One who created the heavens. Our sheets follow:
We broadcast a couple times each month. The objects vary, but the same process applies. Sometimes we use different telescopes and, of course, the objects vary quite a bit. As we explain, observing God’s created heavens in a disciplined manner yields a number of benefits. First, it teaches good observing skills that ultimately improve how we see things. Second, it teaches a process that is used in a majority of professions and work environments, where observing something or someone or some process is important. Third, we always talk about the our Creator God, whose mercy and unfailing love as well as power and majesty are ultimately responsible for the heavens, the earth, and our salvation or redemption.
The last thing I usually do on evenings when we broadcast is make one closing statement: “It is a good night to give thanks.” And, we truly give thanks for opportunities like this. In addition to the Genesis scripture on my observing sheet, I add this one to close the story:
Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all of these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
