Random Thoughts: Scientists ruin astronomical illusions
What I know about astronomy you could stick in your ear. Phyllis Melton tried to educate me a little. We would go out in the country at 3 a.m. to get away from the city lights and look through the telescope at the sky. Maybe there would be a special star or comets streaking across the sky. Recently in an article by Randy Scholfield in the Wichita Eagle, he told about a huge group of scientists gathering in Prague. They were studying the planets and decided that Pluto wasn't really a planet. Not Pluto! After all, Pluto was discovered by a Kansas man way back when. They can't do that to us, can they?
Aug. 10 is the anniversary of my hike up Pikes Peak back in 1924. Several of us started up about dark, hoping to get to the top for the sunrise. What a night. There were millions of stars close enough to touch. I even ducked when the comets zipped by. It kept me busy making wishes on all those stars. Bing Crosby, where are you with your song, "When You Wish Upon a Star?"
Scientists have practically ruined all my illusions. It started when they put a man on the moon. No more romance there. Then I learned that the beautiful stars were really big hunks of dirt and rocks. Then there is evolution. They did away with Adam and Eve and claim we are descendants of big, old, ugly apes.
What a let-down. I guess I'll just crawl back in my cocoon and forget it all — such is life!
— NORMA HANNAFORD
