Star Watchers

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inBill Anders, Explorers, Mythology, Simon Fraser University, Storytelling, VancouverTags:, , ,

“We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered was the earth.” Bill Anders, Apollo 8 Astronaut

SFU Trottier Observatory and Science Courtyard

We are Star Watchers.

When we think of the infinite or question our place in the universe, our first action is to look upward. The sky holds opportunities and uncertainties that come with humanity’s need for exploration.

We are Star Watchers.

But we belong to a world where gravity holds us to the earth. Our stories and mythologies allows us to ponder our existence. From ancient times, campfires have been a place for storytelling. We look up at the night sky and see the stars enticing us to continue our search, to remind us that we may not be alone.

We are Star Watchers.

We live finite lives, but we recognize the possibilities of the infinite through the twinkling sky. May we continue to look upward, to explore and be amazed.

 

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” Vincent Van Gogh

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

14 thoughts on “Star Watchers”

    1. Thank you for introducing me to Matariki – you always give me something wonderful to consider. I did not know that Matariki come form the Maori language. And that it relates to both the name of the Pleiades star cluster and also of the season of its first rising in late May or early June. Matariki – the marker of the beginning of the new year! How marvelous to join in the celebration with you!!!

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  2. Wonderful thoughts that you have captured! This is such an enjoyable post. How I would love to visit this university campus–so much to see and learn. I love your photos of the spring, summer, fall, winter sky. Thank you

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    1. Simon Fraser University has a remarkable campus on Burnaby Mountain, which was opened in 1965. Currently, there is a new Student Union building under construction. SFU has two other locations – one in Vancouver and the other in Surrey. If you look back into SFU’s history, Vancouver’s location was first established in 1980 in a storefront classroom on Howe Street. Surrey opened its doors in 2002. Universities are a testament that we continue to learn and engage in academic debate. That gives me comfort.

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    1. You would enjoy Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus. It is situated on Burnaby Mountain and has been designed with a nod to the Acropolis in Athens and the hill towns of Italy. Arthur Erickson designed terraced buildings to remain in harmony with the contours of the landscape. You must come during the summer months. Every Sunday morning, the SFU Bagpipe Band practices outside, preparing for the Worlds Competition in Glasgow. Walking to the sounds of bagpipes and drums in the background makes for an unforgettable experience.

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  4. I know we are Star Watchers. Besides all stated here, one of the first songs I ever learned was “Twinkle twinkle little star”
    Now I’m thinking, “We are stardust, we are golden” Thank you, Rebecca!

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    1. I’m singing with you, Resa! One of my favourite “stardust” quotes comes from a scientist: “I look up at the night sky, and I know that, yes, we are part of this Universe, we are in this Universe, but perhaps more important than both of those facts is that the Universe is in us. When I reflect on that fact, I look up—many people feel small, because they’re small and the Universe is big, but I feel big, because my atoms came from those stars.” Neil deGrasse Tyson

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