Recently, I celebrated my 41st birthday. A friend who knew that I have been toying with amateur astronomy, very generously gave me a Celestron SkyScout. The SkyScout is an incredible little device. Containing a GPS, the hand held unit will find some 6,000 celestial bodies. Simply input the name of the planet, constellation, or object you want to find, look through the lens, and the SkyScout will direct you to it. Or, if you prefer, just aim it at something and it will identify it for you.

My boys and I have enjoyed it immensely. We have been able to trace the names and legends surrounding the constellations and locate distant stars and planets. I recently took it to a "star party" (okay, cease with the "nerd" comments!) and had a blast. But I was also able to look through the telescopes that others had brought. They ranged in size from 8" to 12" Meades. Very impressive.

One cannot help but be struck by the awesome scale of our universe and by its obvious design. Isaac Newton wrote, "This most beautiful system of sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." Intelligent and Powerful Being, indeed.