I was tempted to title this post, “Just another once-in-a-lifetime comet… yawn.” The reason being that we have been blessed with a lot of amazing night sky events as of late. Whether it be the numerous opportunities for those of us who live in northern regions to see the Northern Lights or yet another naked eyed comet, it has been a good time to enjoy astronomy!
And that’s the odd dynamic I find with being a hobby astronomer – It’s either feast or famine. Lately, it has been a downright feast! Night after night of awe and wonder at God’s creation. I’m happy to report I have a lot of images to share with you in the weeks to come!
Today, its all about Comet C/2023 A3. Did you see it? I was blessed with three nights of clear observation. Sadly, a rather powerful moon crept on the scene that washed out the comet on some nights. Still, I was happy to get some beautiful shots of this prominent comet!
Something I didn’t expect from Comet C/2023 A3 was to see its “counter tail.” A counter tail can be thought of as comet “bread crumbs” that are visible when the Earth passes through a comet’s orbital plane. To the naked eye, it can look like a second tail. However, it’s simply material left behind by the comet.
Everything that I’ve read confirms that Comet C/2023 A3 was more brilliant than comet Neowise. To the naked eye, it definitely appeared to take up more of the night sky with its long tail. However, I felt it looked just a little fainter than Neowise. Now, a lot of things can impact that: Moon phases, light pollution or my aging eyes.
Nevertheless, both comets were great gifts to wonder at with a quiet disposition of heart. Dare I say, the experience naturally drew me into prayer.
What does it mean to experience a comet through prayer? Sometimes experiential prayer can get a bad reputation. And, truth be told, its good to have a spiritual life that isn’t solely dependent upon experience and feelings. Any student of St. John of the Cross’s dark night will warn, “What happens when the feelings go away?”
Still, Christian’s are not to presume a stoic approach to prayer as the norm. Something I love about Ignatian Meditation is the call to engage all five senses in prayer, placing myself within a Scriptural text and allowing the gift of my imagination to be moved by the Holy Spirit in prayerful dialogue. Some of my most powerful prayer experiences have come through this form of prayer with my senses feeling fully alive with God’s love. I wish I could say that happens every time in prayer – sadly it doesn’t. However, when its present, the joy brings much peace to my heart.
The night sky provides a good canvas for experiential prayer. Whether its letting my mind drift to my favorite Scripture passages or simply being reduced in awe and wonder at how wondrous God’s creation is, the night sky has always been a moment of deepening my faith in God.
Later this month, I will be submitting a draft of a new book to be published next year. It will be a book of spiritual meditations on the night sky. The goal is to assist the reader to experience God beneath these stars – yeah… no pressure!
All kidding aside, my hope and prayer is that these mediations will allow you the space to not just look at the stars, but allow for a moment of quiet communion with God under those stars. Pray that I get the draft done! And take some time if you are blessed with clear skies to let your heart experience the wonderment of God’s creation.
