Planet Gazing

This year, December 21st was not only the winter solstice and my parents 52nd wedding anniversary, it was also the Great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter. Lucky for me, I have a friend with a monster telescope!

After dark settled in, I joined a few friends and strangers in an open snowy field and perched over the mountains in Mammoth were the two planets nearly joined—without my glasses. I steadied myself and leaned over to peer through the telescope lens. There within the same field of view were both planets; four of Jupiter’s 79 moons were visible as were the rings of Saturn. My imperfect eyesight gave the planets the clarity of an Atari arcade screen, but they were there all the same. 

We all took turns gazing and silly chatter commenced with talk of skiing, hiking, murder mysteries, and Christmas plans. After the planets disappeared behind the silhouette of the mountains, we turned our eyes to other spots in the sky. Legends and lore were told of constellations, Gods, universes, and muses. Eventually, the cold made us all pack up and head home. 

What a special night. How epically neat!!