Comments for Dava Sobel

Comment on Postage to Pluto by Sara

Sara — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:10:24 +0000

Done! Thanks for sharing! Our space studies are so important. There’s always more to learn and we need to encourage whatever learning, exploring, mind expanding that we can.

Comment on Science in Rome by Sara

Sara — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:15:26 +0000

I hope you’re watching the stars tonight and for the last few days. The planetary configuration is spectacular with the crescent moon!

Comment on Science in Rome by Sara

Sara — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:01:45 +0000

Sounds fascinating!! But isn’t Rome ALWAYS fascinating?

Comment on Year of Wonders by Sara

Sara — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:40:45 +0000

I was one of the intrepid who got up, even drove to what I thought would be a darker place, but the setting moon gave off too much light. However, it was gorgeous — big, even though only half a moon, it illuminated a cloud bank and reflected in the ice of the roadside puddles, all visible through the bare limbs of a weeping willow — worth it! I returned home and even with streetlights I saw 3 meteors before I was too cold to stay outside any longer (12 degrees). I think that in addition to pondering the skies that haven’t changed since the world began, stars that guided ships before Harrison figured out the navigation by clock, that it’s pure curiosity that made me get up to watch, along with the thrill. It also evokes a memory of watching meteor showers years ago with my 5 year old son and remembering his excitement, squeals and clapping of hands.What wonder! A magic evening indeed. This celestial phenomenon was observable right here at home, so why not give it a chance, even if it’s a bit of a bust. The upcoming one are half-way around the world. Dava, you may get there, but I won’t!

Comment on Relics from the Moon, still good as new by Dave Bernazani

Dave Bernazani — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:02:31 +0000

I’m envious! As a boy I always wanted to be an astronaut. Now that I’m 52 I suppose that probably won’t happen now! But to be that close to moon rocks must have been a thrill. After enjoying your books, including The Planets, I must say you certainly have earned it!

Comment on Dividing Lines by Dave Bernazani

Dave Bernazani — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:56:27 +0000

Very interesting! It’s strange indeed that even now, four and a half centuries after Dr. Copernicus published On the Revolutions, that some people still feel that their faith is somehow threatened by scientific discoveries. Whether it’s the creation and motion of the planets, evolution, or any number of other discoveries, all are miracles in their own right, and any believer of a God should rejoice in them. (I happen to believe they are simply wondrous facts of nature, but that’s beside the point).

Comment on Enduring Legacy by John Lamprey

John Lamprey — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:46:53 +0000

I enjoyed hearing you on NPR this morning but I’m still waiting for someone as gifted and popular as you to make it clear to your readers, many of whom delight in ridiculing those of faith but who themselves are universally igorant of the fact that the first empirical proof that the Earth moved did not occur until 1725 when the Astronomer Royal James Bradley, after a year of observation through his zenith sector, discovered the “stellar aberration” and not only confirmed Ole Roemer’s first determination of the velocity of light but also PROVED FOR THE FIRST TIME that the Earth did indeed move, something many had argued all the way back to the ancient Greeks but none had proven before Bradley in 1725, that being almost two centuries after Copernicus’ great work and over a century after Galileo made his claims and wrote his insulting little play.

Comment on Enduring Legacy by Joe Palca

Joe Palca — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:23:49 +0000

It was a thrill for me to talk with you, Dava, and to see the books. To me, they represent all that is good about human civilization…the pursuit and appreciation of knowledge.
My story about your book was originally scheduled for yesterday (Thursday, 11/3) on Morning Edition, then today, and now it’s been moved to next week. Can Herman Cain really be more important than Nicolaus Copernicus???
The website with some lovely photos will go live when the story is scheduled to air.

Comment on Enduring Legacy by Sara N. James

Sara N. James — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:39:42 +0000

How exciting! Old books are cool. I’ve handled a few myself and it gives a strange and palpable touch (literally and well as figuratively)with the past. So often you can only see art and artifacts, but with permission and cotton gloves (although the Vatican doesn’t require those) to be able to touch rare books is a thrill. When does the interview air? I couldn’t find it on NPR’s website.

Comment on Time travel? by Sara N. James

Sara N. James — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:47:54 +0000

This topic really stirred up the lunch table yesterday. All of your buddies in science were incredulous.