Celestial Masterpiece

Member Group : Lefty's Logic

When we purchased the Schaeffer farm on Joe Hill twenty plus years ago, there was a deactivated dusk to dawn light next to the barn. I made a mental note toward the end of the first workday on the Hill to activate the circuit breaker for the light but, being perpetually absent minded, forgot to do it. Forgetfulness turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Running out of daylight that evening we rested in the grass beside the barn contemplating chores for the following day as a celestial masterpiece magically developed above us. All the glory of a late summer night sky, free from natural or man made air pollution, gradually developed as though we were in attendance at the Philadelphia Planetarium of the Franklin Institute. The dusk to dawn light has never
been activated.

Most folks are deprived of the nocturnal treasure that appears above Joe Hill on clear nights because of atmospheric or light air pollution. These culprits represent a paradox to our improved twenty first century lifestyle. Not all atmospheric pollution is man made. Scenic views along the Sky Line Drive in the mountains of Virginia are marred by natural emissions from the conifers along the route. Mother Nature is not impressed or intimidated by EPA or Green Peace. Most man made visual atmospheric pollution is due to the growing use of the internal combustion engine that produces nitrogen oxide. NOx causes the brown haze enveloping the sky above our metropolitan areas in varying
degrees. Methodological inversions can aggravate this condition causing notorious
events above Pittsburgh, Denver, and the American Granddaddy of them all, Los Angles.
NOx pollution is a tradeoff for modern transportation conveniences. Unlike Al
Gore(with the biggest pollution footprint in town), I’m not ready to return to horse and buggy days. I recognize the need to minimize this pollutant but understand the difficulty of eliminating it.

Our second culprit is light pollution that is once again a paradox. There is growing difficulty at celestial observatories throughout the world in conducting important research because of a growing encroachment from metropolitan night lighting. However, this lighting is a valuable tool in fighting crime, improving driving safety and is essential to extending working hours. If I had to choose between the pros and cons of modern outdoor illumination it would be a no brainer. Lighting is essential for our improved lifestyle.

Here on Joe Hill we have the best of both worlds. The few barnyard lights in the valley are camouflaged by trees along my hedgerows and the only headlights that appear on Route 14 in the valley below are few and far between during star gazing activity. The blinking lights of an occasional high altitude airplane on the Chicago to New York route, reminds me that I’m living in a modern world but those reminders are also infrequent.

Last night I stepped out on the deck after turning off the lights in the kitchen. The faint strains of a Christmas carol were playing on the radio as I gazed upward toward a clear night sky above Joe Hill. It suddenly occurred to me that a similar sight, with a bright star added, was viewed by shepherds and wise men two thousand years ago half a world away. At that moment it also occurred to me that thousands of young people in all branches of our armed forces may now be looking skyward. They may dream of a back home sky but were now making sure that people who want to deprive me and my family of our peace and tranquility, would not succeed. The span of time, distance and the true importance of the season were all bridged by a celestial masterpiece.

On behalf of the entire Schaeffer clan I want to wish you happy holidays made possible by our brave men and women in uniform standing their posts throughout the world.

Stratton Schaeffer
Retired Consulting Engineer and Farmer
December, 2013