La astronomía es, sin duda, un área de estudio humilde. Una vez que la mente humana es capaz de comprender, aunque sea ligeramente, las vastas distancias, velocidades y deformaciones del tiempo y el espacio, todavía hay muchos factores que interesan a la gente en el tema. Uno de esos factores es la alegría del descubrimiento. Los astrónomos y observadores miran al cielo en busca de la oportunidad de descubrir algo nuevo. No solo por la ciencia, sino por el bien de la curiosidad humana.
Foto de J Zamudio; cortesía del Parque Nacional Yosemite
When astronomer John C. Adams traveled to Denmark in July of 1851 for a total solar eclipse, he admitted he did not expect to add anything to the scientific study of eclipses. Adams had gone simply to observe something he hoped would be awe-inspiring. When the eclipse occurred on July 28th, Adams was prepared with a telescope with a 3 and ½” aperture and a dark glass to protect from the light of the sun. Upon the moment of totality, he recounts a moment of confusion when he could look up to the sky and safely observe the sun without aid. He continues to describe the event in detail with a wide range of emotions, from startled with the rapid change of the sky, to lonely in the dark of totality, and impressed by the stunning corona of the sun.
Wikipedia Commons
Adams recollected, “The appearance of the corona, shining with a cold unearthly light, made an impression on my mind which can never be effaced.”
Even if your eclipse plans don’t involve changing the scientific world, know that every bit of interest counts when it comes to learning about the way our universe works! Whether you are a scientist with a degree or an excited observer with a telescope, Astronomy is a welcoming activity that has just a couple requirements: keep an eye on the sky and have an open mind.
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