Space in the Romp!

The truth is I don’t have an answer as to why people look to the stars and outer space for any answers. In the year 2022, we still look above to seek guidance in the many aspects of our lives. Our ancestors from Europe were no different. Frankly, no culture or civilization was much different.

Winding the clocks back to the later 1600s and you’ll find that most of Europe had their age of ocean exploration (often exploitation as well). During that age, the ship captains often used a device called a sextant. This device was the literal GPS of its day, and greatly helped the navigation of our oceans by the European explorers using the sun, moon, and the North Star to help guide the way. Now when I think about traveling for months across the ocean in leaky wooden wind-powered ships only to step off onto a penal colony surrounded by dangerous wildlife designed to kill you… I think I’ll pass. Sounds like a terrifying dream only the brave, the penalized, or the foolish wanted to partake in. But then again so does flying in a metal tin can 30,000 plus feet across the planet for 24 hours to doing the same bloody thing - Minus the penal colony sentence. Regardless most long-distance travel has been accomplished using guidance from some form of tech that relies on objects floating above our planet. I, for one, am heavily reliant on GPS just to get to and from almost anywhere. Just ask my brother! He will be the first to tell me my sense of direction is terrible. Facts – I cheated on my land nav course in the US Marines.

Folks, did you know Brisbane is named after an Astronomer?  I think it is the only city named after an astronomer in the entire world. And of course, the local planetarium was named after the man too – Sir Thomas Brisbane. Back in high school I took Astronomy instead of chemistry and haven’t visited a planetarium since 2003. But in 2018 my new Brissy friend, Ms. Anna, drove us to visit this place sitting near the botanical gardens on Mount Coot-Tha Road. She had not visited this place since attending primary school either. I think we were in for a lovely low-key and low-cost time. After all, I still haven’t landed a job. I am grateful she knew this without saying or asking me. My finances were about as secure as one of the wooden-made ships that sailed from the UK to Aus in the 1700s.

Aus is never short on wonderful nature walks and hiking. Plenty of unfamiliar plants and fun statues saturated the surrounding botanical gardens outside the planetarium. I cannot remember the plants or the various critters running around. To be honest, botany never was an interest of mine. But after an enjoyable romp around the grounds, it’s time to eat. The Botanical Gardens Café served up some tasty battered French toast topped with caramelized banana with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a ham rasher on the side. Um, sweet and savory, yes, please. 

I am sure the smells of delicious food helped attract the local bush turkey to try and scavenge, beg, or otherwise peck the crumbs off the floor. Come on Mates! Mr. Bush Turkey just wanted something tasty as well – but he was not invited. Mr. Turkey was asked to leave, on multiple occasions, and by the smiling face of the server shooing her arms around for this unexpected and uninvited guess to leave – Only one person seem to notice or care much. Completely comical to watch. Cya later Mr. Turkey, just not at Thanksgiving because… Well… I am in Aus they do not have that holiday, and turkey is defiantly not for eating.

 

Once inside the air-conditioned building you can look upon various facts and items concerning space travel. But what caught my attention was an entire wall dedicated to the historic content of Australia. Some mild homage paid (through the medium of astronomy of course) to the various Aboriginal tribes that lived for tens of thousands of years before the European explorers stepped foot on the land was acknowledged. Something you will just have to travel to Brisbane and see for yourself. Sorry folks, I thought I snapped a picture or two. I guess you’ll have to settle for a self-indulgent Romp Pic from me. 

 But I wonder if the barely clothed Aboriginals followed the stars as much as the many indigenous tribes of what is now the US. Or maybe they were content with not bothering with the sky at all. After all, No worries, right?

Sitting down with comfortable neck support allowing me to look up inside the Cosmic Skydome the lights dimmed, and the familiar voice of Tom Hanks narrated in a video projected on a brand new 8k projector to a small audience about the Earth’s moon. For 30 minutes various facts I have long since forgotten were given about the Earth’s only moon. When the lights were brought slightly up a gentleman gave a short presentation on what we can currently see under the Brisbane sky. He even explained that the stars on the Aussie flag represent the Southern Cross Constellation. A reminder of the geographical location of Aus. Always something new to learn. 

Well, folks, it was back to the car park for an easy ride back to Enoggera for me. Phone out and GPS on so I know where I am going even though I am not the one driving. Like many around this modern world, I still rely on something above to help me continue to take life in the Romp.

©Dustin J. Casey 2022