Exploring the night sky:
Adventures in astronomy at Rhema Christian School
Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - Rhema Staff
Imagine being able to view the night sky in winter from the relative warmth and comfort of the Rhema gymnasium...

Our school was recently blessed with a visit from night sky enthusiast and educator John Crossen from the Buckhorn Observatory. Boosting the spirits and imagination of Rhema students with an impressive knowledge of celestial features, Mr. Crossen brought along a specialized star projector inside a massive inflatable igloo-type structure. This portable planetarium is a joint venture between the Buckhorn Observatory and the Peterborough Astronomical Association.

Nearly all Rhema students were able to participate in the remarkable program offered by Mr. Crossen. He notes that this "stellar excursion provides students with a welcome and invigorating change from the two-dimensional world of the textbook."

By the end of the day, many of the kindergarten students had taken to calling Mr. Crossen "the Spaceman."

"The Grade 6 students have certainly put their new knowledge to good use," explains educator Brian Lavender. "Our annual trip to an outdoor Christian education centre has provided some great stargazing opportunities."

And with some clear skies ahead, each student will have the chance to ponder the deeper meaning of Psalm 8:

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

John Crossen of the Buckhorn Observatory exits the inflatable structure he uses as a portable planetarium as Rhema students look on.