There are a few astronomers and observatory personnel who also enjoy riding down the mountain on skis and snowboards after a night of work. Just another pleasure on that rare 39,000 foot mountain of igneous rock.

I think it is very important to properly respect the part each kind of observation plays in extending our understanding of reality. We might think the more precise measurements we do in science would be the most challenging (and they certainly are very challenging and important- even critical), but some of the biggest surprises and discoveries come when we more generally relate what we observe and develop concepts.

In Sean’s book, he very carefully related what he asserted to events in the history of science. He retrospectively investigated errors and even included personal items of interest regarding the scientists who have made contributions to our current understanding of reality… Sean made it clear to the reader that the history of science is also a very human story.

There is a conceptual link between observation and entanglement. When we make a group of observations and relate information, that process brings things together conceptually…there is a potentially important synthesis somewhere along the line which creates conceptual, and then, potentially, technological advances.

When I stood on that tropical beach and looked out into the center of the galaxy, I knew the distances involved…35,000 light years or so. Yet at that moment, the heart of my galaxy seemed so close I could touch it…I felt like I was out there among the stars.

Yet, I was also aware that I was protected by the womb of the Earth, especially the atmosphere and the breeze on my face, but also I could hear the tiny waves of the lagoon lapping at my feet and the voices of my friends, quietly talking and sitting on the sand near me.

One of the things I really like about the ancient culture I participated in is the very special reality of social entanglement. The stars, the universe, one’s island, friendships, clan, family, love, food, birth, death, sickness, health- everything about ones unique location in space and time entangles into a powerful experience of existence. There is a feeling of belonging to the universe- and each other- which is indescribable. Reality takes on a very special meaning!

I’m looking forward to gaining an improving understanding of what quantum entanglement really means and implies about the nature of existence. However, if what we learn even approximately relates to my experience of social entanglement as a participant in an ancient culture, the future of science will be very bright and productive indeed!

For a much longer video like this, take a look at Hawaiian Starlight, a professional full-length film of timelapses of the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope.

Later, I remember observing 3 near total solar eclipses within a 10 year period in the western Pacific Islands…a National Geographic team was on Kuop observing totality on one and I was on Fono about 30 miles north and saw the “Bailey’s Beads”. In total darkness on that same island, I stood on a sand bar and looked out on a glorious universe that took my breath away…could see the “Coal Sack” and other clouds of dust toward the center of the galaxy…a virtually unobstructed and panoramic view of the universe, Polaris hanging 7 degrees above the northern horizon.

Touring the Keck was one of the most impressive experiences of my life …the folks were working on the galactic center project…threw snowballs up on the mountain and then went down and swam at Black Sand Beach the same day. As micro-climates the big island has all but two or possibly 3 of the worlds climates- within a two hour drive…a little universe unto itself.

I’m looking forward to being in Hilo next month. The college students told me the snow was early on the mountain, but melted off quickly this year…

I’m over it – as soon as I get awarded time, I go hunting for a fresh-faced student/postdoc who can do it instead of me

I’ve never observed from a pro observatory. But I’ve spent cold nights, way up in the norwegian mountains with my cheap telescope and ditto camera, plus liberal amounts of coffee. It’s been decades since I did that though, but this reminded me.