Observing across the Atlantic

Jane with Sir Patrick Moore on a visit to Farthings

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Longitude 0° 47'W, Latitude 50° 43'N – Selsey, Sussex, UK

Near the 17th century thatched roof of Sir Patrick Moore's "Farthings" residence in Sussex stand two observatories. The larger one contains a 15-inch f/6 Fullerscope reflector, and the smaller one holds a 5-inch Cooke refractor. The night we spent at Farthings was magical despite increasing clouds. Sir Patrick ("just Patrick, please") was admitted as a member of the British Astronomical Association at age 11 in 1934, 5 years after he first read The Story of the Solar System, by G. F. Chambers, F.R.A.S. This little book, written in 1898, was a gift from his mother. Local amateur astronomer Ian Sharp joined us in the observatory on the night of our visit, and the BBC crew from Patrick's "The Sky at Night" TV show were there to film his October show in the morning. My biggest thrill, in addition to talking about sketching with Patrick, was to view a couple of his 7 Moon sketching journals, and some of his Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars sketch collections. His first sketches were dated 1933, shortly before he joined the B.A.A. We were able to view a few stars through the 15-inch, but soon the clouds obscured the skies and we headed inside for conversation and stargazing of a different kind.

Mojo assembled this panorama from four individual pictures. More on the photo page.

Longitude 1° 50'W, Latitude 51° 11'N – Stonehenge, Wiltshire, UK

It is not likely that ancient observers used Stonehenge for astronomical predictions. More likely, any astronomical observations made at Stonehenge were of a simple kind carried out for religious and ritual practices.

The main axis of the monument faces the horizon where the Sun rises on midsummer morning, the longest day of the year. But the axis really only lines up roughly. The Sun actually rises to the left of the Heel Stone (the marker for the axis). And because of the Earth's precession, 4,000 years ago, the Sun would have risen even farther off the center axis.

Is Stonehenge a tribute to Stone Age brilliance or the farmer's commen knowledge of the sky? A visit to Stonehenge or megoliths in Europe, Russia, the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Pacific reveal the remnants of ancient or accidental astronomers, who looked up in wonder just as we do today.

The Leviathan Telescope at Birr Castle, view from the south in its rest position.

Longitude 7° 54'W, Latitude 55° 5'N – The Leviathan, Birr Castle and the Whirlpool Star Party, Co. Offaly, Ireland

For over 150 years, amateur and professional astronomers alike have been inspired by the science of William Parsons, the 3rd Earl of Rosse. The annual Whirlpool Star Party, held adjacent to the Earl's castle and telescope, honors the work of the past with results of the present. On September 29, 2006, we met many of our fellow speakers and attendees at Dooley's Hotel, the home of the Whirlpool Star party, in the shadow of Birr Castle and the great 72-inch Leviathan Telescope.

After wine and cheese,we all headed through the stone arch to the grounds of Birr Castle, inhabited by the current Lord Rosse, the patron and supporter of the Whirlpool Star Party. With only the starry sky to guide us, we were soon standing against the great 72-inch Leviathan telescope. Originally operated by chains and pulleys, the telescope is being renovated. Many attendees set up their own telescopes adjacent to the Leviathan and soon star party murmurs mixed with stunning views of the fall sky splendors.

Mojo and I were honored to be invited speakers at this year's Whirlpool Star Party. My talk was about my work on the Cassini Mission and a snapshot of Cassini's second year at the Saturnian system. Mojo's talk was about astronomy in the national parks of the US, part travelogue followed by the Milky Way talk he gives each summer in the national parks. These were just a small part of the speaker lineup, which included one other American visitor, Johnson Space Center's research pilot, Triple Nickel.

Any amateur astronomers thinking of an Autumn trip to Ireland would enjoy this wonderful star party. We left after just a few days with dozens of new friends. I can't wait to go back!

The octagon room at Flamsteed house, and time signal ball, at the Royal Greenwich Observatory

Longitude 0° 0', Latitude 51° 28'N – Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, UK

The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, is one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. Founded in 1675, it is the official starting point for each new day, year and millennium. We took a stroll though the time galleries in Flamsteed House and listened to a Flamsteed lecture in the Octagon Room. John Harrison's marine timekeepers H1-H4 are on display along with regulators, precision clocks and watches, chronometers in the 1,000 object collection. Telescopes of Halley, Flamsteed and Airy fill the observatory. Out in the drizzling rain, we spotted an 8-foot section of William Herschel's 40-foot reflector telescope. No photographs were allowed in the museums.