Linn

The Moon in Splendor

Saturday, April 9, 2011

The moon has inspired us poetically, romantically, artistically and scientifically.   Observations of the moon spurred the scientific revolution 400 years ago by showing us – through Galileo’s handmade telescope – that the moon is another world with mountains, valleys, craters, plains, and “seas”, and that the sun casts changing shadows of the lunar features.  His discoveries inspired other Renaissance astronomers and their accumulated work showed the universe is not earth-centered but that the moon and planets move around the sun. We will examine the moon’s path around the earth, the moon’s phases, its features and, weather-permitting, enjoy telescopic views.  If we’re lucky we’ll actually see the moon cover up a star tonight as the moon moves slowly in the sky.

Email Print Remind Me  Add To Outlook