Adaptive Optics
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced this morning that three physicists have been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for their mathematical methods used to discover and define black holes: Roger Penrose (age 89) of the University of Oxford earned half the award for "the discovery that black hole formation is the robust prediction of the general theory of relativity," and Reinhard Genzel (68) and Andrea Ghez (55) jointly earned the other half for "the discovery of a supermassive compound object at the center of our galaxy" (see Academy announcement here).
Because a black hole is space where gravity pulls so fiercely that light cannot escape, scientists have had to learn to discern the location of a black hole not by viewing it directly but by measuring its impact on the stars and planets that surround it. Ghez, the one American recipient of this year's prize, is known for her advancements in the field of "adaptive optics" -- technology that uses deformable mirrors to compensate for optical distortions. In other words, if something is blurry or difficult to see, why not reshape the surface of a mirror until the object comes in clearly by looking at the mirror rather than at the object itself?
Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon (following Neil Armstrong by 19 minutes) and an ordained Presbyterian elder, celebrated Communion in a private moment on July 21, 1969, and read aloud Jesus' words from the surface of the moon: I am the vine. You are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me (John 15:5). On his voyage back to Earth, Aldrin shared publicly a reading from the same notecard: When I considered the heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou art mindful of him? (Psalm 8:3-4).
As we bemoan the challenges of 2020, I sometimes wonder if our lens is askew, grounded in an earthly view that does not allow for the possibility of something greater, something less mired in gravity and human judgment. As Aldrin reminded us with his bold celebration of the Lord's Supper and reading of David's poetry, who are we amidst the majesty of the Lord's creation that He would be mindful of us, that he would love and die for us? Rather than bemoaning, we should simply be amazed.
Perhaps 2020 is the perfect year to ponder the mathematical genius that allows us to contemplate such concepts as black holes and adaptive optics. In those moments when you feel the weight of this year, is it possible that looking away will help you to see more clearly? Let's commit to finding new lenses together, seeking out prayer, Scripture, and Christian fellowship as our adaptive optics. Surely we will see more clearly when we look to the Lord rather than directly at the quandaries that lie before us. And to the three physicists who now get to share 10 million Swedish kronor (equivalent to just over $1.2 million), we extend our gratitude for life work that is a daily exploration of the handiwork of His fingers.
Blessings on your week,
Jennie