Tails of Heaven Scent Farms

Posted By admin on September 30, 2009

Last Friday we had a field trip to the Dyer Observatory. We had a fantastic time learning a little about galaxies, nebula’s, and sound.

Our guide talked to the group about the many artifacts that they have on exhibit and the people behind the history of the Observatory. Then he took us down the hall and explained the different photographs of space. We saw a photo of the Orion Nebula. A nebula is a star nursery, where a star becomes a star. We also saw several photos of galaxies. Due to the nature of space, galaxies can absorb galaxies and become super galaxies.

Then the guide took us to the Library and we saw an original model of the Hubble Telescope. One of the astronomers at Vanderbilt worked on the Hubble project and asked for one of the two models that were used to create the Hubble Telescope. The other model is at the Smithsonian in D.C. The guide also gave us an exercise in how sound works. The Hubble model is in a dome so if you stood directly under the center of the dome and said something you could not only hear it back but you could feel it as well. Very cool! You could also stand on the outside edge of the dome and if there was someone directly in front of you on the opposite edge you would be heard clearly at a whisper. The people on either side of you could not hear it though. You had to be directly across from each other.

The guide then explained that light and sound function similarly. He taught us how the light is captured in the lens of the telescope and how the curve or lack there of will affect the light and it/s distance. We also learned about a man named Barrett. He grew up in the depression and always wanted to learn astronomy. People always told him he would never be an astronomer because he didn’t have an education. Well, he kept learning and observing and got a broken lens and was able to repair it and he discovered a lot of comets. In those days you would get $250 for every comet discovery. He discovered 11, and was able to build his home with the money. He also discovered the fifth moon of Jupiter. The first four were discovered by Galileo. After that discovery Vanderbilt hired him as a Professor of Astronomy. He was going to school and teaching at the same time… cool story for kids. Never give up on your dream! You can do anything you want if you work hard enough at it.

Then our guide took us upstairs to look at the telescope. It is rarely used because the technology is outdated, but they do use it for special events. This thing is massive! The kids were amazed that he was able to move this one ton telescope with just one hand. The dome that covers the telescope is 5 tons. There is a 60 foot concrete pillar that supports the weight of it all. Thirty feet are under the ground.

This was our last stop. The Star room. It looks kind of like an indian mound. It was built last year by an architect and volunteers. It took them one month to build and all the rock came from the Vanderbilt campus. It is shaped like a comet with the trail sweeping around the back. You go inside and it is like a camera. It was cloudy the day we went but we could see the leaves on the trees on the walls. He said that on a nice day you can see the blue sky and clouds as well. Very neat effect. On the outside they also have stone pillars to mark the equinoxes. It was a very awesome field trip. I can’t wait to go back!

Y’all come back now!

Categories: Family, schooling
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