Kelby Sinka
The Paw Print
The stars were out in full-force on Saturday February 6, giving observers almost enough light to see by as they snow-shoed and cross-country skied two miles up to the Rio Grande Club’s main parking lot. The lack of light wasn’t what made the trek difficult; it was that the observers weren’t watching where they placed their feet. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are tough in general, but doing them in the dark while having neck and head stretched up towards the heavens would have put even the most athletic to the test.
Randy Emmons, director of the Adams State College Zacheis Planetarium, used his far-too-powerful green laser to point out the many constellations, planets, and satellites in the night sky this time of year. Emmons displayed true mountaineering skills as he continued his lecture while the rest of the observers did their best to look and not lose their balance. He made light of the tumbles of many viewers by telling the story of Orion the Hunter and how he battles in the sky every night with Taurus the Bull – known for his extremely long horns and the distinctive mark of the Pleiades which sit on his shoulders. Orion and his two dogs, Canis Major (a constellation featuring the brightest star in our night’s sky, Sirius) and Canis Minor, set out on their nightly hunt. Orion readies his shield and holds his sword above his head, but his dogs lose interest in the hunt for they catch sight of Lepus the Hare, which Orion steps on. Where this story ironically mimicked its viewers was that as Orion steps on Lepus, he falls flat on his face. This occurs toward the morning hours when the earth has rotated – Orion the constellation sits on its side before it crosses the horizon and moves out of sight. To the delight of everyone in attendance, no one fell on their face; however, many bottoms might very well be bruised.
Everyone had recuperated during the telescope viewings at the end of the trek. In the main parking lot of the Rio Grande Club, they slowed down for a bit and got a closer look at some of the celestial bodies they had seen during the trek, such as open star clusters, nebulas, and planets. The evening was entertaining, strenuous, adventurous, and educational. Additionally, the best part was the outing was free and open to the public. More dates for an evening to cross-country ski and stargaze are available on February 12, and stargazing in South Fork Feb. 13 at the Rio Grande Club, in the clubhouse’s main parking lot. An optional dinner is being held at the clubhouse. An Evening Cross-Country Skiing and Stargazing is currently being arranged by Jill Clement. She may be contacted at South Fork’s Allington Inn for more information and reservations.
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