The Bard and the Heavens

My wife Linda and I have a number of things about which we are passionate. This blog is representative of one: astronomy. We not only enjoy exploring the sky, day and night, but we enjoy sharing it with others. Inspired by pioneering sidewalk astronomers like John Dobson, we occasionally participate in "star parties", joining other amateur astronomers in sharing views of and information about the planets, stars and celestial events with the public.

Another of our passions is William Shakespeare, a bard (storyteller). Shakespeare was one of the most famous storytellers of all time. We are active supporters of local Shakespeare companies such as Shakespeare Dallas.  We not only enjoy their productions but believe in and support their efforts to make Shakespeare accessible and relevant to everyone in the Dallas area.

For a long time, we have had a vision of bringing these two passions together. About four years ago, we started discussing this idea with Jenni Stewart, Associate Artistic Director of Shakespeare Dallas (SD). She got excited about the possibility of doing something that brings the art of Shakespeare and the science of Astronomy together in a unique way, providing a special experience for the people of the Metroplex. This fall, working with Jenni and with Matt Cooper, the observing coordinator for Texas Astronomical Society (TAS), we finally made it happen!

On Thursday, October 3rd, 2019, SD continued their fall production of Macbeth, taking it from their home base in Samuel Grand Park out to a new venue in Coppell, The Sound at Cypress Waters. That evening, a conjunction of Jupiter and the Moon took place during the twilight period before the play and continuing on into the darkness of night. Per arrangements made with Jenni, a special area was set up next to the audience seating area. Matt and another TAS member Dennis Wardell brought out their telescopes and set them up while the audience was arriving to see Macbeth. Linda and I also set up one of our telescopes. Throughout the period before the play and during intermission, we treated people attending the play to views of Jupiter, the Moon and Saturn. They learned about conjunctions, lunar phases, the geography of the Moon, the moons of Jupiter (all four were visible), the rings of Saturn and more.

Based on reactions from the audience, I'd say the event was a smashing success. So much so, we had more telescopes out at performances over the next two nights.

So, what did starring at the sky have to do with Shakespeare or, in particular, the play Macbeth? Here is the flyer we handed out to people attending the viewing and the longer version made available on the Shakespeare Dallas event page on Facebook:

The Art of Shakespeare and Science of the Renaissance

The Art of Shakespeare and Science of the Renaissance (full version)

This is not the end, just the beginning... Jenni is already working on an idea to do an event specifically focused on Shakespeare and astronomy, this time at the main SD location at Samuell Grand Park. Stay tuned!

Images from the event

The Sound at Cypress Waters

Event planning: Viewing Direction of Moon at Site
PlanIt screenshot

Event planning: Expected Night Sky View
Stellarium screenshot

Telescope Setup, Preview with Shakespeare Dallas Staff

Pre-show crowd

Crowd growing during intermission

Dennis hosting viewers of all ages

Matt aligning his 22" truss-tube Dobsonian scope

Explaining the view through our
Dobsonian scope to a young audience member

Shakespeare Dallas production of Macbeth

Mercury Transit 2019 - The Last One in North America for Thirty Years

Unlike the last Mercury transit in 2016 (see posts here and here), I didn't get a chance to photograph this latest one (November 11, 2019) as we were traveling and it wasn't feasible to drag all my gear with me. However, I did get a chance to watch part of the transit. That was a relief since the next one visible from North America doesn't occur until 2049.

What made viewing this transit particularly special is where we were and who we met.

As we were visiting New York City, I checked online and found a public viewing event, one that happened to be on an aircraft carrier, the USS Intrepid. Retired in 1974, the Intrepid has permanently moored dockside in NYC and was opened in 1982 as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Among other things, they have a space shuttle on display in a dedicated hanger, the Enterprise (the one used to prove the shuttle concept). If you are ever in New York, I highly recommend checking it out!

The host for this viewing was Joseph Martinez, better known on the streets of The Big Apple as the Joe of Jupiter Joe's Sidewalk Astronomy (here on the Web and here on Facebook). Joe is an avid amateur astronomer who loves sharing information on astronomy and views of the sky with people. Joe is also a JPL/NASA Solar System Ambassador. He and some friends had two telescopes equipped with solar filters set up on the Intrepid flight deck, sharing views of the transit with museum visitors.

My wife Linda and I checked out the view from each telescope and then struck up a conversation with Joe. As Linda has worked for many years as a planetarium educator, as I am a member of the Texas Astronomical Society and as we've both been involved in numerous viewing parties including past transits, we had a lot of common interests and activities to talk about with Joe.

When the discussion touched on the 2017 total solar eclipse and then the next eclipse in 2024, Linda suggested Joe should visit us in Dallas since we are in the path of totality. It turns out he is already making plans to be in Texas for the eclipse. Coincidentally, it also turns out he knows other planetarium educators in Texas whom Linda has worked with. Small world!

Joe, thanks again for the views of this transit! Perhaps will see you for the eclipse in 2024!

BTW, for some beautiful shots of this transit, check out ones posted on Earth Sky News.