The observing time on May 6th was relatively short but the tasks from set-up to take-down were longer and involved a multitude of little steps. Having been married more than 3 decades and tried in a variety of situations where we have learned to love each while working together, studying and sketching some sky objects together was not an issue. While I managed some details of the equipment setup, Linda did a quick sketch of a first object. After 10 minutes or so we moved together to M83, a barred galaxy in the southern skies. After 25 minutes or so, we moved our attention to M68, a globular cluster in the ‘same’ region. The sketch time together on the two objects was less than 40 minutes. From the first step outside to coming inside were about 2 hours. Linda’s sketch of M83 is above; M68 is below.
When two people observe and sketch together the process gets a bit more complex compared to one person at a scope or even a group of people looking at an object but not recording any detail. After all, observing then recording observations tends to be highly individualistic. Just the thought of studying and sketching an object with two people (much less a group) would cause as argument among some observers. While we were using astro video equipment in place of an eye piece , there is still limited room in front of one monitor, seating positions are close together, the scope or camera need frequent adjustment, and there is some getting up and down when close to each other while making strokes with the fragile pastels or soft pencils. It is certainly not impossible, but the observers have to be patient and understand that every observing period has its charming moments when patience or deference to the other observer is needed because something gets jostled, the image gets bad, or a mistake is made in equipment settings. As you can see from the sketches, we also employed different paper and media. We sketch at different rates and start with different steps. My sketch (below) is quite a bit different than Linda’s two sketches.
The process we went through to sketch together, which is not always easy, is a small picture of the process of learning to love each other that is captured by a scripture in 1 John 4:12 that says, “if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” Jesus Christ meant for believers to avidly love each other: to learn to grapple with considering the “other” before “yourself”. It is something a husband and wife must do quite often in a marriage or the marriage will eventually fail—even if it looks like it is together. For the Christian, the well of love that is in Jesus Christ is that very love that is meant to under gird and eventually permeate our relationships with each other. It is established and tested through practical situations and circumstances. How important is the process? Christ explained to his disciples (and to us), that the mark of true disciples (those who believe in Jesus Christ) is love for one another after the pattern of His love for them. So there is not room for much selfishness.
So, it becomes important for us to sketch sky object together correctly. To extend the example, love between believers comes to play whenever any interaction is needed, whether the task relates to home, work, or play. Of course, this applies to any two believers (not just a husband and wife). Can anyone do this? It requires Christ at the core of matter, and even then we make many mistakes. Hence, the need for repentance and humility. I am afraid there is no shortcut.
The principle loving others is not restricted to Christians. But from the viewpoint of the Christian, the process is different because the love that is exercised among believers reaches to a foundation outside of our perceptions and abilities; it reaches to a Person. Specifically, the process of ‘making love complete’ among Christians involves God in a direct manner. It is hard to explain to those who do not believe, but God’s love does make a difference. The foundation of peace inside, which stems from a relationship with Christ, enables love and forgiveness whose origin and depth are eternal. This kind of love has no growth limits, can withstand the onslaught of contrary circumstances, and drives out fear (1 John 4:18-19). And, in this very simple case, it helped us observe the skies! You see, being with each other and how we were with each other is just as important as observing His created objects.
