(Photo credit: Universe Today)
I have continued to enjoy the movements of
Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. This particular conjunction of planets has now
inspired my imagination for several weeks. Each morning I look to the east
around five or six am to see if it is clear enough to see this amazing display.
The relative arrangement of the three planets and the bright star, Regulus, are
slightly different each day and change from hour to hour. The rate at which
each one rises in the morning is dependent not only on the spin of our earth
but also the movement of the planets in their orbits relative to earth’s
position in her orbit around the sun. I am intrigued each day to see where each
planet appears relative to the others. I am always amazed by the slightly red
hue of Mars as seen from earth. This red colour is thought to be caused by the
scattering of red photons in the atmosphere of Mars. The soil of Mars contains
much iron that turns to a rusty red colour due to oxidation and the dust of
this red iron is kicked up into her atmosphere by surface winds.
I can see why the Psalmist was inspired to
write poetry about his observations of the night sky. May we never lose our
sense of awe about the planets and stars.
Psalm 8 (NLT)
For the choir
director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument.
1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills
the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work
of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills
the earth!
(Photo credit: Universe Today)