From Naked Eyes to High-Tech Telescopes

This chapter explores the evolution of astronomical discovery, highlighting a recent naked-eye supernova and contrasting it with modern techniques used at the Vera Rubin Observatory. It delves into the impact of Edwin Hubble's groundbreaking research, fundamentally altering our understanding of the universe's structure. The narrative also reflects on the accessibility of stargazing, emphasizing that one can appreciate the cosmos even with minimal equipment, while pondering the existential questions sparked by such observations.