Why Astronomy?

What is it about Astronomy that I love so much and why should you love it?

Astronomy is more than studying the stars or finding nebulae.  It has a deeper meaning.  The expanse of the heavens lie above everyone.  No matter your race, creed, religious persuasion, gender identity or social preferences, the sky lies above us all.  The borders down on Earth are typically heavily fortified and sometimes contested with war.  The borders of the constellations above bring you to a new area of the sky to investigate with your eyes or telescope.

During the great solar eclipse of 2017 someone remarked:

"It's such a cynical world it's nice to see the awe on people's faces"

Solar Eclipse 2017 - Olympic Plaza, Calgary, Alberta

This applies today.  Even more so.

In Calgary, people of all description lined up to watch the eclipse that day.  A conservative religious leader stood in line behind a same sex couple who had just adopted a baby.  He expressed his great love to their new family and was genuinely excited for them.  These are things you never see in the news, or on social media.  People of different races clapping each other on the shoulder and laughing with joy as they witnessed this celestial phenomenon.  We were all as one people this day; this astronomical event brought out the best in all of us.

The ongoing fight against racism and for equality is real.  As an astronomer I can only hope to unite people with the same wonder and awe that human culture has always had for the night sky.

The skies are open to all who look up and cherish what they see, why can't it be the same down here? Don't let fear get in the way of progress.  The dark sky above is a utopia in which we can all participate.  There is no requirement to line up at my telescope at a public event; all are welcome.  There are no requirements for joining your local Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Centre; all are welcome.  In Calgary, we will have a diverse, multifaceted program of speakers from around the world to enrich the community.  We will always strive to do better at reaching out to everyone to provide an inclusive and comfortable environment to share your wonder awe.

Reach out to one another, love your fellow person, share what we all have in common and always keep looking up!