I’m a northern boy and, while no expert, have known the stars of the northern sky since my days as a Boy Scout. The Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, Little Dipper, and of course The North Star. Many constellations take a lot of imagination to visualize, but these few stand out as if they have the dotted lines of star maps for me. Night after night I have glanced up and watched them rotate around the north sky. A little higher in the summer, a little lower in the winter.
I always knew that there were corresponding southern constellations in the southern sky that never rose above the horizon in Michigan. As winter approached, I would watch the southern sky for the rising of Orion with his distinctive belt. Finally, in the depths of winter the brightest star in the sky, Sirius would rise. The most famous constellation of the southern sky, the Southern Cross, is never visible in the north.
Last night I woke up after midnight (for a mission most guys past 50 will understand) and went up on deck to make sure all was sound and have a look around. As I scanned the horizon towards the south I saw just over the mountains of St John the distinctive pattern of the great Southern Cross. I was so excited I had to wake Mary up to show her too!
It was just a few stars, and I knew they were there, but the sight of them made me feel a kinship with the ancient sailors and know the thrill of moving slowly under the sphere of the sky and learning, using tools no greater than my own eyes, how far we have come in our little boat.
Very cool Jeff. It sounds like a “sign” to me that all is well………
That is cool Jeff. I have always had an interest in the sky but never bought a telescope – I think it would make a great hobby. Do you have one on the boat? If not maybe consider it… John.
It would be a great hobby…you could discover comet Fuger! No scope here John. I think boats roll too much to see with one anyway. Good thought though.
The southern cross……awesome!
A true sailor on his life’s pilgrimage! Reading you I can feel the thrill it must have been to see the southern cross for the first time. “I must down to the sea again…”
Sea Fever
By John Masefield
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking,
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
Now that is way cool!