First Observation of M11. The observation began because we had a clear night after a return from a mission trip in the Philippines. I grabbed the binocular and reflecting window and began reviewing the beautiful Milky Way as it cut the SW sky at horizon to overhead in Cygnus. It was not long before I found a whitish spot, which I sketched then hunted star maps to find that it was M11. M11 is also known as the Wild Duck Cluster. It is bright and beautiful. But, it is one view from one person under one set of conditions with one instrument set up.
Second Observation of M11. A few nights later, my wife, Linda, was observing with me. Using a different instrument set up, we observed the same object. She made her observation (shown below) with black paper (the next image),white pencil and pastel.
Third Observation. While Linda worked on her observation, I worked on mine but I used a plain sheet of white paper and a pencil. It is good practice for me because these are the same tools that are used by our friends overseas, where we teach them to observe the heavens from a Biblical view. We use our course (Astronomical Observing from a Biblical View), small refractors, small binoculars, simple recording tools, and the Bible to teach observing disciplines from a Biblical world view. My observation that was developed as we sat together is below. After you have seen the third view you will have seen three views of M11 with three sets of instruments, two pairs of eyes, two types of media, two different evenings, and two sets of sky conditions.
The Three Together. While these three observations are different, they are from only one vantage point on earth. All three views are unique, so they add to what we might know of the cluster. Someone might be tempted to compare them, but the issue of a limiting vantage point still restricts what we know. We could add some views from an observatory or a satellite based system, but any view from the solar system in stellar terms is still one basic line of sight. If you had all these in front of you, how would you judge them or appreciate them? It is true that we highly recommend sketching over any other recording technique because there is something about seeing and recording that stimulates the observer. Most people can grab a piece of paper and learn to record a little bit. We teach those techniques. Pictures and images might be more accurate, but they are too easily passed by the eyes…and little is learned. With a sketch in hand, however, we want the little observer to go further…beyond the sketches they might have made. Any observer can do this. Let us proceed as if you are doing it with us on M11.
The Biblical Context– God’s Point of View. Aside from the fact that our abilities are limited, so we have mistakes in our sketches, each view is reasonably accurate for the specific conditions, equipment, media for recording, and observer. Now we want to widen our scope of thinking to origins and the Author of it all, so we want a scripture reference on the heavens or the universe to be added to the observing sheet or the report that goes with the sketch. The simple step begins a process to point to an answer to the more common questions that are asked when people see the heavens. Where did the stars come from? How did they get there? How are we able to see them? How can this (the heavens) be? Most star- or heaven-related scriptures address these sorts of things.
Here are just a few of many references that we will use for this observation:
Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and things on earth, both visible and invisible…He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Genesis 1:14-19 And God said, “let there be lights in the expanse of sky…”
The Thinking Part. So the added scripture and a bit of thinking on the observer’s part begins to widen the scope of the observation. The observer has seen an important view of the object, but now he is hearing information from a different vantage point. God knows M11 from every vantage point: inside, outside, far away, and up close. This, however, is not far enough. Genesis (and other scriptures) are clear that the universe was created by His command that includes time, space, matter, and so on. He also created us, making us able to observe within this created universe. He knows the heavens point to Him, so He is larger than the heavens. He made tiny people able to observe the heavens, so He is also ever so detailed from the design of eyes to knowing the thoughts on what each of us observes. So objects like M11 (one object among trillions in the heavens) serve as signposts to direct us to Him. We were meant to see them, observe them closely, and think on the purpose and wonder of it all. This is why scriptures like those below are important. They were meant to direct our attention by what we see to beyond what we see–to the One who created us on this privileged planet and are able to observe (in a limited way) what He has made.
His Intention. Ultimately, He intends us to know Him, and, in His “opinion”, observing what He has made is sufficient in and of itself to point us to Him. There is more, of course, to draw us, but creation holds a special place as a visible signpost. It is no surprise, then, that God also takes a very dim view of efforts by man to delete or ignore parts of His workmanship by assigning their existence to some accidental and purely natural origin.
- My goodness, we enjoy observing what God has made but teaching teachers and children the disciplines of observing from a Biblical perspective is a larger joy. Such a view does not discourage discovery. Rather, it becomes stimulus to discover. It does not discourage science; it makes a believing scientist passionate to discover. And for children? It gives them at least one more voice and practice that points to the Author of it all.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…
