A telescope, CCD camera and a computer, combined, forms an intricate musical instrument that is capable of transporting you places unknown, stirring your senses, and letting your mind fly free of its confines, not through sonics or tone but by sight reading, alone. When successfully played this combination can produce immense musicality, if not necessarily in relation to everyday encounters, then a least through the way, barring exuberant excesses, it locates your reaction to and affinity for this pastime called astronomy. For many astro-photographers, the thousands of subjects hung in the heavens are exactly what they are meant to be- a reason to build an infinite variety of musically visual interpretations performed in a personal key.

However, for skills to remain limber, repetitive use is required much like taking piano or violin lessons. With each session something new can be learned, something hidden can be uncovered and techniques that further peel back a layer of the truth can be discovered. For most astro-imagers, the secret to improving each performance is, in a word- practice. Thus, each drill becomes a building block later put to good use in a future arrangement.

So, with that in mind, I'd like to perform my latest recital, a soft galaxy etude, number 94, taken from my well worn copy of The Well-tempered Telescope- a compendium of exercises for astro musicians, published in the sky each night where it's handy and visible.