The Max part was far from mundane and not nearly as mundane as you post. You’re very much like those who can see God only through their lens and must insist everyone see it as you do. * Sigh * What do to do with those who would make Herschel weep.

Astronomy has never been about sight—it’s about vision. How could you miss that? You can't! You must know that. Max was right, you (a fine web site but it underscores the point!). Most people miss that which is right in front of them. It doesn’t take the ability to ‘see’ the crab nebula or Orion nebula or horse head nebula (which paradoxically is dark) or M-31, or M-13 or any other stellar object. Having taught at observatories for years I can tell you that the wonder of seeing our place in that cosmos is what inspires the awe you refer to. You must know that.

The tangents and coordinates are so easy to find… and so difficult to fathom in their reality. Any true astronomer knows that. It’s why we are awake at 3 AM with a computer and lens and red light…. Trying to understand the reality of where (and who) we are.

And sacred order has been always one from chaos

By some burning faithful one

Whose human bones have ached

As if with fever to bring you to these

High, triumphant places…

Forget the formulas, remember men. Praise scholars,

For their never ending story is written out in fire

And this is their glory, read faith, as on a lover’s on their faces.