Stephen Hawking:
“Remember to look up at the stars,
and not down at your feet.
Try to make sense,
of what you see and wonder,
about what makes the universe exist.”
Mangaluru: A star gazing event was organised by CFAL Centre For Advanced Learning (CFAL). In the heart of Hebri, our group of fellow adventurers, all eager for a night under the stars.
With excitement in tow, we set out for an unforgettable stargazing experience. Here’s a glimpse of our little adventure.
Our merry band of stargazers was greeted with open arms by our hosts, who welcomed us into their homes with warmth and enough food to feed a small galaxy.
From swapping stories and the little knowledge we have of the cosmos to sharing a room with friends the homestay experience was nothing but amazing.
Not to mention, a riverside romp that would make Huck Finn jealous.
Armed with nothing but our sense of adventure and a few questionable puns, we navigated the winding waters like seasoned explorers – or at least, that’s what we told ourselves as we narrowly avoided capsizing more times than we’d care to admit.
But the star of the show, quite literally, as night fell, the real show began. Under the twinkling canopy of stars, we transformed into amateur astronomers, armed with telescopes and enough starstruck enthusiasm to rival Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Sure, we may have misidentified a few constellations (who knew Cannis Major and Minor are Orion’s dogs?), but the laughter and camaraderie were as bright as the Milky Way itself.
What’s a stargazing adventure without a little mischief?
From impromptu games at 3 AM while we got to know each other better.
It’s safe to say who needs a TV when you’ve got a sky full of stars and a group of newfound friends to share them with?
To name a few stars of the show;
M(Messier) 44 (Beehive Cluster): A bustling community of stars, resembling a celestial beehive, nestled within the cosmos.
M(Messier) 67 (Oldest Known Cluster): A time capsule of stellar evolution, housing some of the universe’s oldest inhabitants.
M38 (Starfish Cluster): A radiant congregation of stars, shaped like a celestial starfish, twinkling in the vastness of space.
Mizar: A binary star system, captivating astronomers with its stellar dance and mythological significance.
M81: A grand spiral galaxy, adorned with arms of starlight, inviting exploration and admiration from observers across the universe.
From admiring the clouds for their scenic beauty to cursing its existence while star gazing, we came a long way as fellow amateur astronomers.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, signalling the end of our cosmic escapade, we bid farewell to Hebri with a mix of sadness and gratitude.
While we may not have discovered any new galaxies or unlocked the secrets of the universe, we certainly found something even better: a universe of memories.
So here’s to, the new found friends, the wonderful faculty bearing with our shenanigans and Hebri, the town that showed us that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that are written in the stars – and sprinkled with a healthy dose of stardust and puns.
Read more:
CFAL’s Star Party for ‘Stargazing and Science’ Will Be on Feb 3
With 650+ Enthusiasts, CFAL Star Party “An Unprecedented Success”
