" I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, sometimes a very long time, before I set them down ... I make many changes, reject and reattempt until I am satisfied ... I am conscious of what I want, the basic idea never leaves me. It rises, grows upward, and I hear and see the picture as a whole take shape and stand forth before me as though cast in a single piece, so that all is left is the work of writing it down." Beethoven

In short, there is no real method for astronomical narratives as per the scientific method. Sometimes a theme may be an Earth science of biology, climate or geology and then raising the consideration to planetary dynamics and sometimes, it works the other way.

With large-scale and long-term observations, the themes arrive on their own based on how previous observers worked with the details, including those observers who were interested only in promoting their own agendas as the experimental theorists have for the last 250+ years.

The immense satisfaction in gaining a footing or arriving at an observational milestone is as inspirational as listening to a masterpiece in music for the first time.

https://sol24.net/data/html/SOHO/C3/96H/VIDEO/

It is perhaps the one time that observers are not tone-deaf in astronomical matters, as their inspirational side refuses to condemn what a tracking satellite can do for appreciating planetary motions and solar system structure. Observers, too, acquire the language of these visual narratives and hopefully compose narratives for others to enjoy.

On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 3:44:00 AM UTC-6, Gerald Kelleher wrote:
> " I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, sometimes a very long time,
> before I set them down ... I make many changes, reject and reattempt until I
> am satisfied ... I am conscious of what I want, the basic idea never leaves me.
> It rises, grows upward, and I hear and see the picture as a whole take shape
> and stand forth before me as though cast in a single piece, so that all is left
> is the work of writing it down." Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven is justly acclaimed as perhaps the greatest
composer who ever lived.

Perhaps it would be churlish to point out, however, that musical composition
is an art, while astronomy is a science, and Beethoven was not an astronomer.

But that you feel this makes little difference is precisely where you go wrong.

John Savard

On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 10:28:34 PM UTC-4, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 3:44:00 AM UTC-6, Gerald Kelleher wrote:
> > " I carry my thoughts about me for a long time, sometimes a very long time,
> > before I set them down ... I make many changes, reject and reattempt until I
> > am satisfied ... I am conscious of what I want, the basic idea never leaves me.
> > It rises, grows upward, and I hear and see the picture as a whole take shape
> > and stand forth before me as though cast in a single piece, so that all is left
> > is the work of writing it down." Beethoven
> Ludwig van Beethoven is justly acclaimed as perhaps the greatest
> composer who ever lived.
>
> Perhaps it would be churlish to point out, however, that musical composition
> is an art, while astronomy is a science, and Beethoven was not an astronomer.
>
> But that you feel this makes little difference is precisely where you go wrong.

Herschel was a musician, composer AND an astronomer.

On Friday, March 24, 2023 at 8:14:22 AM UTC-7, W wrote:

> Herschel was a musician, composer AND an astronomer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT_blXxa-VI

On Friday, March 24, 2023 at 6:31:39 PM UTC-6, palsing wrote:
> On Friday, March 24, 2023 at 8:14:22 AM UTC-7, W wrote:
>
> > Herschel was a musician, composer AND an astronomer.
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT_blXxa-VI

That is nice music. However, while it is indeed possible for
someone to be both an astronomer and a musician, that, of
course, doesn't change my point that different methods of
thought are applied to the two activities.

So what Beethoven, who was only a musician, and not an
astronomer, did to achieve his great compositions is not
necessarily applicable to astronomy.

John Savard

On Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:10:53 AM UTC-4, Quadibloc wrote:
> On Friday, March 24, 2023 at 6:31:39 PM UTC-6, palsing wrote:
> > On Friday, March 24, 2023 at 8:14:22 AM UTC-7, W wrote:
> >
> > > Herschel was a musician, composer AND an astronomer.
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT_blXxa-VI
> That is nice music. However, while it is indeed possible for
> someone to be both an astronomer and a musician, that, of
> course, doesn't change my point that different methods of
> thought are applied to the two activities.
>
> So what Beethoven, who was only a musician, and not an
> astronomer, did to achieve his great compositions is not
> necessarily applicable to astronomy.

One could well envision Herschel saying something similar to what Beethoven wrote, in reference to the designing of a new telescope or the devising of a new or refined observing plan or method.

Art does involve real, physical objects, devices and materials.

Creation and the relationship between the individual and Universal is an inspirational/spiritual experience, and sometimes those who have those perceptive abilities can hear and see the music. It is why Beethoven talked of his composition as a picture-

" It rises, grows upward, and I hear and see the picture as a whole take shape and stand forth before me as though cast in a single piece"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musica_universalis

Our lives within the greater life of the Universe are not an instruction manual full of laws and whatnot, for those who can see and hear, it expands beyond the senses to the great flux of energy.

https://sol24.net/data/html/SOHO/C3/96H/VIDEO/

It does not mock those with the inability to appreciate what is in front of them, it inspires those who can.

I understand what drives creative and productive people to forge ahead with their endeavours and Beethoven used Kant's words as an example of inspiration and common sense ( moral laws) to hand on a creative inheritance-

" Two things fill the mind with ever-increasing wonder and awe, the more often and the more intensely the mind of thought is drawn to them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me." Beethoven/Kant

Existence is not an instruction manual but a composition even if few take the challenging road towards the sublime in nature or their own inherent creativity.