Beginning

Friday, March 3. 2006

Las Campanas, Chile (Jan 9, 2006)

A sunset is the beginning, for an astronomer. It is the time to check that everything is working, and to calibrate the instruments. It is the time the dome is opened to allow the wind of dusk to cool the telescope mirror. Down to the temperature of the cold air outside. And as the sky turns from orange to red, from dark blue to black, a new night begins. A sleepless night counting photons to stay awake, as if they were electric sheep.

Posted by Massimo in Astronomy at 23:42 | Comments (16) | Trackbacks (0)

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Wonderful description for the beginning of your work day. I’ve always been in awe of the study of space, time, and light. Although I’m quite happy with the work I do, I enjoy dropping by your blog and being reminded that there are people out there staring at the stars, planets, and spaces in between, collecting data and trying to figure out the answers to questions about our existence that are almost incomprehensible. Lovely colors in the photos.

#1 Donna (Homepage) on 2006-03-04 10:49 (Reply)

Massimo...a stunning photograph with beautiful words.
Phil

#2 [t e r r o r k i t t e n] (Homepage) on 2006-03-04 12:01 (Reply)

cool shot, Very aptmospheric.

#3 Matt (Homepage) on 2006-03-04 20:45 (Reply)

Es un atardecer hermoso, me gusta mucho

#4 Julio (Homepage) on 2006-03-04 22:12 (Reply)

sin palabras! asi me siento ante esta maravillosa fotografia!!!

#5 NoWords (Homepage) on 2006-03-05 07:56 (Reply)

It looks so calm and quiet. Beautiful capture...

#6 alfred (Homepage) on 2006-03-05 12:59 (Reply)

Beautiful scene, enjoyed your words also

#7 Gary (Homepage) on 2006-03-05 20:11 (Reply)

Great capture and mood

#8 sil (Homepage) on 2006-03-06 03:19 (Reply)

I love the layers of the mountains and the colours in this. Great picture.

#9 BobC (Homepage) on 2006-03-06 05:27 (Reply)

Oh, sure, now I’ve got this vision in my head of photons jumping over a wooden fence. One, two, three.....

#10 Paul (Homepage) on 2006-03-06 09:42 (Reply)

Of course the trick is counting, while still staying awake. My critical point is usually around 4AM; if I pass that point then I can stay awake until the end of the night.

#10.1 Massimo (Homepage) on 2006-03-07 11:31 (Reply)

Gorgeous layered look. Very interesting colors too.

#11 jamie (Homepage) on 2006-03-06 12:51 (Reply)

I always love your writing! The picture is really beautiful -> especially the tones are very nice.

#12 Marina (Homepage) on 2006-03-06 13:42 (Reply)

muy buena foto, mi querido chile...

#13 daniel (Homepage) on 2006-03-07 11:21 (Reply)

Lovely lighting and composition, Massimo. You have made a lyrical image of something essentially technological. That is rare.

#14 Thomas Pindelski (Homepage) on 2006-03-07 20:42 (Reply)

I would have a hard time looking up because the view down is so cool!

#15 sk8board shop (Homepage) on 2006-03-08 21:45 (Reply)

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