Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 84
ADVENTURE_PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES
FOCAL POINT by Robert Meehan
A Night of Extremes
Breaking down in tears isn't a typical occurrence while stargazing, but this night
20 years ago called for it.
BACKYARD ASTRONOMY AFFORDS
us many fascinating, beautiful, and
sometimes surprising experiences. One
evening in 2000, for example, I was
treated to the most remarkable auroral
display, an event rarely seen from
my location 50 kilometers (30 miles)
northwest of New York City. Another
time I was scared out of my seat when a
nearby tree came crashing down with a
thundering boom, simply due to old age.
The evening of September 11, 2001,
held its own unexpected experiences,
though of a wholly different character.
That morning broke crisp and fresh.
The sky was dark blue and promised an
evening of good viewing. I was anxious
to try out a new eyepiece I'd just
received as a gift. As always, I planned
to linger in one constellation at a time
to admire double stars and my favorite
carbon stars.
Like millions of other Americans, I
felt overwhelmed by the horrific tragedies
of that morning, so I left work early
and, feeling helpless, watched the Twin
Towers crumble over and over again on
TV. Living not far from the city, I knew
people who might be victims, and I
wouldn't learn their fate for days.
At dusk, eager to calm my nerves, I
set up my simple observing booth comprised
of six 4-by-8-foot plywood panels
fastened together with door hinges.
They form a hexagon with a narrow
doorway that provides an effective barrier
against both the wind and a nearby
streetlight. Outside the booth, I also
mounted my binoculars on a tripod.
All air traffic was prohibited that
night, so the sky was deserted. There
was a breeze, but it was otherwise a
decent scoping night, all things considered.
I was trying to enjoy my new
eyepiece and the peaceful solitude that
distant stars evoke.
Suddenly I was startled by the
unmistakable sound of a jet approaching
from the north. How is this possible?
I wondered. Is this another terrorist
attack? The nuclear power plant 30
kilometers from me would make a ripe
target. My adrenaline surged, and my
heart began to race.
I darted out of my booth and
scanned the skies. The ominous sound
got louder and louder, then Shhhrrrroarrrrr
. . . a jet roared past overhead.
Flying a few hundred feet above me, it
took my breath away. It was a U.S. Air
Force fighter jet following the Hudson
River southward on its way to patrol the
skies above New York City.
I collapsed into my chair, leaned
forward, and began to weep into my
palms. Why was I crying for the first
time in decades? I cried to release the
sadness and anger boiling inside me. I
cried for the victims and their families,
while also crying with relief that my
family and I were safe in our home.
I cried with gratitude for that heroic
pilot. And I cried because I felt proud to
be an American.
Exhausted, I dragged my equipment
into the garage, leaving the tripods and
booth behind. Later, as I tiptoed quietly
through the kitchen door, I heard the
jet again. That's when I had an epiphany:
I didn't feel terrorized. The terrorists
had failed. That night, I'd argue, we
Americans were shocked and saddened,
but not terrorized, not lastingly anyway.
In fact, overnight we became more
united toward a single purpose than at
any time since World War II (and, sadly,
any time since).
After a long day, I climbed into bed
feeling safe and secure, and I slept well.
ยข BOB MEEHAN was a remodeling
contractor in New City, New York, before
retiring to Bradenton, Florida. Reach him
at robjmee@msn.com.
84 OCTOBER 2021 * SKY & TELESCOPE
Sky & Telescope - October 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sky & Telescope - October 2021
Contents
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - Cover1
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - Cover2
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 1
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - Contents
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 3
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 4
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 5
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 6
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 7
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 8
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 9
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 10
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 11
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 12
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 13
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 14
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 15
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 16
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 17
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 18
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 19
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 20
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 21
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Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 24
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 25
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 26
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Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - 84
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - Cover3
Sky & Telescope - October 2021 - Cover4
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