Observatory grounds in early spring

This year (2002), we have been seen  a number of new critters.   Our songbird population has grown over the past five years, and now we have attracted two hawks to keep them all safe and sound.  At  night, we are frequently visited by raccoons.

Deer are also a very much in evidence.  At any given time on any given day we will see from 10 to 20 on a one hour walk.  Foxes have become enough of a presence that our cat enjoys the great indoors more than she has ever enjoyed it before.

We have seen our new friends, the hawks, dive for fish in our pond.  We have  enjoyed  our grandchildren's enchantment with frogs. 

These are the grounds of my astronomical observatory.  They are as visually stunning by springtime day as the heavens are by night.  As I write this, I am reminded that the serenity captured in these images completely obscures the nature of their beginnings.   You see, each and every particle making up the fabric of all that we see on this beautiful earth was once manufactured within the interior of a massive sun long since past supernova.  In that violent moment, all that we are began.

Welcome to the grounds of the Potomac Astrometric Observatory

Regards,

Steve

And a sun explodes it's essence into the void.  From this beginning, new stars and  planetary systems can  form enriched by  long dead fusion processes of that ancient star.  Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, the stuff of life smelt in its furnace to breathe warmth, light, and life into the coldness of eternity.  From all this we came to be, and into this we all will pass.  We are all most certainly born of stardust.

I wish you good living

Steve