12 October 2012 Fan Mountain Observatory, Take 3

Third time’s the charm! The first time we got tickets to UVa’s Fan Mountain Observatory public night, it snowed. We had a tour of the facilities, but no chance to look through the 40 inch telescope.

The second time it was clear skies, but we were stupid. We rolled up the mountain around 9PM, just when it was getting dark, but then we were given timed tickets for 11PM viewing. Too late for us with a 6-year old, even with night-owl Sam.

But tonight we wised up. AC arrived back from a work trip at 6PM. By 6:30 we were chugging up the mountain, just after the gates opened. And by 7:45 or so we were looking at a globular cluster called M15 about 36,000 light years away and 13 BILLION years old.

Perspective. That’s what it’s all about.