High in the Sky; Constant and Clear: the Beehive Cluster

Whether north or south of the equator, most people can see the Beehive Cluster shortly after sunset and high in the sky. Whether it is a poor poverty stricken neighborhood or a rich suburb of a modern city, it is the same. Whether the observer is  a doctor or a hard working farmer in a rice paddy, it is the same. Whether it is an evil person or a good person, it is the same. God placed the heavens to be observed by ANY PERSON. The issue is to whom we give credit. Do we give credit to a natural god of nature that has somehow has brought everything out of nothing billions of years ago: resulting in the heavens and eventually the complexity and information storage in living things all by itself? Do we give credit to God who has given facts of history: what he created, when he created, and then connects observing the heavens as a pointer to see elements of his majesty and power and attention to detail? Here is one object of the mighty heavens that is more obvious than most. Over the centuries about this time of year men and woman could see this milky spot in about the same place and the same time of night. Then the telescope appeared, which marked the invention of optical lenses. Optics permit the observer to resolve the beautiful pattern of stars.

This sketch uses a good pair of astronomical binoculars. This pair is also placed on a reflecting window (called a Sky Window) that reverses up and down. It permits a more relaxed study of a section of sky. With optics like this the cluster can easily be resolved into a beautiful array of stars, known as an open cluster.

beehive-cluster

…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”    Hebrews 1:2

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