I wasn’t planning on joining up with any Challenges this year and I have done a really good job of resisting given how many good ones are going on. But I could not resist Sylvia’s International Year of Astronomy Challenge. I am a sucker for science, especially when it comes to space. The fun part about this challenge is that is has a book component as well as “extra-vehicular activities.”
First the books. Only need to read three, one from each category. Here are my picks:
- History and Astronomers: Galileo’s Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love by Dava Sobel
- Cosmology and Astrophysics: Death by Black Hole: And other Cosmic Quandaries by Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Science Fiction: The Starry Rift by James Tiptree Jr.
The “EVA’s” involve two things. The first is doing some stargazing with a field guide and then blogging about it. Given that it is winter here and at night when the sky is clear it is usually below zero, I’m going to have to wait until summer on this one. Besides, in summer I can make a blood donation to the local mosquito population at the same time.
The second EVA is to visit a planetarium or observatory. I have been lucky enough to live near the Palomar Observatory and have been to it several times. I even got to see the telescope moving around. It is an amazing place. Here in Minneapolis there used to be a planetarium in the old Central library downtown. When the library was torn down to build the new one, it included plans for a new planetarium. Because of budget issues and the merger between Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library systems, the planetarium has not been built yet. Plans to build it have been given the go ahead but with the economic downturn, there is no telling if it will get built this year as was originally hoped.
So to fulfill this part of the challenge, I am going to make a donation to help the planetarium get built. Their website also has some links to astronomy places in Minnesota and it looks like I may be able to catch some kind of event during the summer. Since I am not a night owl, this is going to be a tough one.
Leave it to Sylvia to come up with both a fun and educational challenge, though I still think a Star Trek movie marathon should have been included.
I loved Death By Black Hole and I have Galileo’s Daughter on my TBR shelf. This one’s so tempting, but I’m signed up for enough challenges-there’s gotta be a line!
Maybe just one will be manageable? I want to read Galileo’s Daughter, too! Sylvia’s reading is always thoughtful and enlightening! I may have to read a few books along with you here!
Maybe I should add a movie marathon as an optional third ship-board activity.
Good for you for supporting your local (future) planetarium. Perhaps your new President, who clearly understands the value of science education, will help make it happen. 
This challenge sounds interesting and so do the books you’ve chosen!
I’m tempted to have a go at this challenge. There isn’t a planetarium near me but next time I visit my son in Edinburgh I’d love to visit the one there – my son raved about it.
I’ve read Galileo’s Daughter – a lovely book I think you’ll like it.
For the millionth time, I wish you lived over here! Cambridge University has regular open evenings at the observatory with talks and viewings. The boys went to one a while back and enjoyed it very much (although it was a chilly evening). I will admire you from afar on this challenge – I’m no good with science although I do love the imagery around the constellations.
This challenge sounds like a whole lot of fun! How great to do some reading and some activities as well. I hope Sylvia is right about the president helping things along with your planetarium, or that something or someone gives people the push they need to finish it!
I am thinking about joining this challenge. I love astronomy but have already joined too many challenges.
What a cool challenge. I read Galileo’s Daughter a while back and really enjoyed that book. I keep meaning to read his other book, The Planets – I think, but you know how it goes.
Have fun with your challenge!
Eva, I am glad to hear you loved Death By Black Hole. I got a copy last year on a whim without knowing much about it. I totally understand about being challenge challenged! There are so many good ones.
Danielle, this on could help with you desire to read more nonfiction. And three books isn’t much. I’ve been wanting to read Galileo’s Daughter for ages so I am very excited that maybe I will finally get to it.
Sylvia, heh, yeah maybe some Lost in Space re-runs or Battlestar Galactica
I don’t expect Obama would directly help our planetarium, but I hope that his policies will be beneficial to its construction.
jenclair, I think it will be interesting and fun. Star gazing and books, two wonderful activities.
BooksPlease, how fun that you could visit your son and the new planetarium. I think the challenge is calling out to you
I am glad to hear Galileo’s Daughter is good. I’ve heard Dava Sobel on the radio and she sounded really interesting.
Litlove, maybe some day my path will take me there! A starry evening at the university sounds lovely. And don’t sell yourself short on your science abilities. You are a highly intelligent person, I bet you know more than you think you do!
Dorothy, it’s the activities that clenched the challenge for me. Other than a few of the obvious constellations I know nothing about the night sky. I’ve always meant to learn more so here is a fun occasion to do so.
Violette, so what’s one more challenge?
Iliana, glad to know you enjoyed Galileo’s Daughter. I’m sure to like it then. Sure you don’t want to add another challenge to your list? You could read The Planets
Sounds like an interesting endeavor. I read Galileo’s Daughter a few years ago & enjoyed it, although I found it very different than her other books I’ve read (The Planets, Longitude). Looking forward to reading your comments about it. Never read anything by DeGrasse Tyson but I’ve heard him speak. He is an intelligent, witty, and thoroughly engaging speaker — and he was really great with the young kids in the audience who were obviously so eager to learn about science. So, I’m interested in reading your thoughts on this book too.
Ohhh! I never knew there were “Challenges” of this nature. I know you are not trying to get sucked in, but I would love to see a list of the Challenges you know of as I like a good challenge, particularly if it is an excuse to read more books! Hope to hear from you soon and thank you for your comments back to my post a few months ago. I passed them on to my friend! Cheers!