Many observers are familiar with this scene but it continues to amaze me. M81 and M82 are two of the brightest close-galaxy pairs in the sky. With a suitable instrument both galaxies are in the same field of view. An observer can find them around the Ursa Major Constellation so they are high in the sky for most Northern hemisphere observers to see at this time of year. I developed the sketch using an 8 inch C8 telescope, which would normally be unable to see both objects at once because of the telescope’s narrow field of view and high magnification. However, with the addition of a special lens (Hyperstar) and an astro-video camera (a MallinCAM Hyper Color) I could see both galaxies with good detail and the surrounding star field that would normally not be as detectable. The scene from the lens-video camera arrangement is sent in video form to a nearby monitor so I could study and sketch.
A night later I returned to equipment arrangement into a more traditional setting with the video camera in place of an eyepiece. You can see the difference in field of view; now I could only see one of the two galaxies, but with a higher degree of detail. The object occupied the center third of the viewing screen, so the field was pretty narrow–even with a focal reducer on the specialized video camera. But the arrangement permitted a view of the mottled gas in the galaxy. The chip in the video camera picked up some of the visible light and its color that comes from the galaxies starry content as it lights up the stellar gases.
The unique features of the scene may escape notice but it is miraculous in multiple ways. First, God created the heavens to be seen. They point to him, as Psalm 19 and other scriptures attest. Second, our entirely unique and habitable planet has a virtually transparent atmosphere much of the time so we can see the heavens from a safe vantage point. Third, men and women through the ages have seen the heavens. What we see may differ by centuries but we see the same celestial sphere. Even if our tools to see the heavens change, we share their beauty and complex attributes alike. Fourth, God is all-knowing–he knew what we would see through the ages but the instruments would change. In truth, now we see more. Early observers could only use their eyes. The early discovery of how to make glass from created elemental substances occurred early in history. Optics or lenses came much later. Optics improved some detail of what could be seen, but their inclusion in instruments took centuries to perfect. Now with a combination of optics and a computer chip in a specialized video camera I can see the detail you see in the sketches. The instrument setup that would have been impossible for a common citizen to obtain less than 20 years ago.
There is a reference in Acts 17 that speaks of this Wondrous God–One who resides outside of time and space he created yet can work through time and space to speak through the ages to any human being at any location. Verse 26 states, “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” The purpose, which is most important, is explained in the next verse: “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
So if you observe the heavens, whether you use your eyes or a telescope, remember God’s purpose. Paul spoke to the Athenians a common gospel theme–Jesus Christ came from the Father, lived among men, announced and explained the Kingdom of God, beckoned to those with a heart to believe, died for our sins, was raised again, and gives opportunity for every person to choose to believe.
These two galaxies and my little obscure observing time are simply an opportunity to point to the Wonder of it all–reminding the reader of God’s desire to know us if we will call on Him.
