Some Thoughts and Reflections on the Occasion of Nicolaus Copernicus' 552nd Birthday

Where are all the Astronomers?

This 1888 engraving – Empedocles Breaks through the Crystal Spheres – is reminiscent of the revolution in thought brought about by Nicolaus Copernicus, who was born 552 years ago. The engraving first appeared in a book by Camille Flammarion with the caption: “A missionary of the Middle Ages tells that he had found the point where the sky and the Earth touch.” Image via Wikimedia Commons.

“Where are the Astronomers?” was the question that crossed my mind over 2 years ago when I first searched Substack for like-minded individuals such as myself.

Born in 1473, Nicolas Copernicus would have been 552 years old last Wednesday, February 19th and this same question occurred to me now.

So I ask again: where are all the astronomers? With the current war on science and scientific research raging, coupled with the wholesale dismantling of our Federal Government by unelected, unvetted and unqualified buffoons in full swing, any professional astronomer is probably trying to “fly under the radar”. NASA…