Personally, I was mesmerized by the sun's image as it moved off the paper. I swooned and was thankful for gravity, because I felt pulled by the sun and earth at the same time. For one fleeting moment, even though it was sunny, I was in a mist (mythst). Heightened awareness occurred and I realized our language in describing the rise and set of the sun is a common mistake. The sun appears to rise and set, when in fact, our earth moves, and we take it for granted.

With over forty in attendance Michael's excitement filtering into his dialogue, that stumbled along with his feet. He was thrown for a loop. Perhaps he couldn't see in the dark to set the longitudes and latitudes of the star-finder, or, perhaps he found himself in the common Juneau mist for other reasons. Before beginning, he asked, "Are you single, oh, and are you a local? May I call you, or you can just come down here and become a volunteer. You can be my assistant. Here's my card." Printed on the card was Mt. Juneau Observatory, Michael Orelove. For an instant I felt a little heady. He enthusiastically added, "I will teach you how to run and operate the machine that holds the stars." What a priceless opportunity! Of course, I agreed. Neither of us confirmed how long.

Astronomy is a valuable tool. It raises pubic awareness of science through education and introduces scientific concepts and the process of scientific thinking to students at all levels.

According to The National Academies Press (http://www.nap.edu/books/0309071399/html/4.html) under funding of astronomy is a growing concern causing the United States to lose its leadership position in those fields. Demographic numbers impact funding; combined U.S. membership in the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and American Physical Society, Division of Astrophysics (APS) in 1998 was around 6500.

There are 498 Planetariums across the United States. Whatever Federal funding was received for these ground-based astronomy facilities was provided by the National Science Foundation, according to a 1991 report. Space research is funded through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The figure from state and private funds came in at $190 million a year.