Are We Stardust?

It’s kind of an ‘outside the box’ concept, but fun to contemplate.

Geoffrey Burbridge, an English physicist who became a luminary in astronomy circles in the 20^th century, believed that people and everything else are made of stardust!  Simply put, he theorized that every one of our body’s chemical elements was once inside a star.

The universe is mysteriously beautiful and holds secrets that scientists are still unraveling. But if you’re like me, stargazing and identifying certain constellations is about the extent of my astronomy knowledge. The same goes for sailing. I married an “old salt” and he patiently, and sometimes impatiently taught me the basics, but I could never pretend to be a sailor! There is always so much more to learn – which leads me to recommend some great courses being offered at the Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport. Try these on for interest:

• Celestial Navigation; 19^th Century Methods – 3/27-28
• Introduction to Coastal Navigation – 4/10, 4/24, 5/8 (3-day workshop)
• Easy Introductory Celestial Navigation By the Noon Day Sun – 4/17-4/18
• Marine Weather, Level II – 5/14-5/16

Classes will be held in the Howell Classroom at the Planetarium. For more detailed information and course fees, visit www.mysticseaport.org/planetarium.

And next time you look up at the stars, just think – there was once a part of you up there, according to Geoffrey Burbridge.  (The physicist passed away 1/26/10 at the age of 84.)

Blog written by Trudi Busey.

Mystic Seaport’s Version of Liberty

February is a month chock-full of calendar-worthy days. First, there’s the day the groundhog predicts the remaining days of winter (Can we really trust a groundhog?). It’s also the month when visions of chocolates dance in our heads as Valentine’s Day nears. (Who doesn’t like getting one of those heart-shaped boxes full of yummy candy?) This year, those who vow to abstain from eating candy during Lent have just a few days to savor those valentine sweets before going “cold turkey” for awhile. Then there are the birthdays of presidents Lincoln and Washington, now celebrated together on Presidents Day. (I wonder how they’d feel about that.)
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I think Liberty Days at Mystic Seaport deserve a few squares on the February calendar as well, specifically February 13 and 14 and February 18-21.  Planned to coincide with February school vacation, the program has fantastic activities for kids that will replace  “I’m bored” with “that was fun.”  Kids can choose from a whole menu of interesting things to do and see, including boarding the world’s last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan or building a paper Dory or wooden boat of their own design. 

Kids, build your own wooden toy boat to take home!

Best of all, during Liberty Days, kids are admitted to the Museum FREE with a paid adult admission, both valid for a second day as well, no coupons needed – just a validated ticket.

Sailors of bygone years would be granted “liberty” or shore leave by the ship’s captain when the vessel arrived in port. This month, plan to come to our port – Mystic Seaport – and take the liberty of exploring all this unique Museum has to offer.

For membership information and more details on Liberty Days, visit our website at: www.mysticseaport.org./libertydays.

 Blog written by Trudi Busey.