Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-114

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (July 17, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps we learn a little about the stars of our universe and the importance of observing them to keep us safe from possible celestial collision debris.  

Recording Stars

The first photo of a star, other than our sun, was taken 175 years ago, on July 17, 1850 by Whipple and Bond at Harvard Observatory.

The star in question is Vega, the second brightest one visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

A 90 second exposure was used with the 15-inch refracting telescope.

So what?  Well, imaging the heavens teaches us about the history of our Universe allowing us to identify asteroids and other objects potentially on a collision course with Earth, among many other things. 

This celestial chart of the Northern Hemisphere by Dopplemayr is from 1742.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.