Dazzling Phosphor in the Night

Photo by K. Hartnett

Dazzling phosphor in the night,

Silent orator, so bright,

How I marvel at your story-

And the Hand behind your glory.

K. Hartnett, August 1997

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

The Star Sirius - Our Beautiful Celestial Neighbor
Sirius. Premier gem of our sparkling and frosty winter skies. This brilliant star’s name itself means “the Sparkling or Scorching One” although it is also commonly called “the Dog Star” because of its location in the constellation of Canis Major, the Big Dog. Sirius is the brightest star visible from earth (excepting the Sun). This is due in part to its “nearby” location. Sirius is a mere 8.7 light years distant from the solar system . This is the distance a light beam would travel in 8.7 years at the speed of 186,000 miles per second- about 50 trillion miles! In contrast, the light from another prominent winter star, Betelgeuse in Orion, travels 520 light years (3,120 trillion miles) to reach us.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

I borrowed the word "phosphor" from the Greeks, after curiosity led  me to consult the original language of the New Testament for what is rendered  variously in English translations as “stars in the universe,” or “lights  in the world” (Philippians 2:15). The Greek phrase itself is “phosphors in the cosmos,” and I thought, “Wow,  I’ve got to use that somewhere!” The  rest of the poem is really just a retelling of Psalm 19. How loudly the silent stars speak to those who have ears to hear!