A God Called Grandpa

Welcome to the Harry Bayley Observatory, says Ade.

The crowd shuffles in. There is just enough seating.

I know you are all impatient to see Mars and Saturn, says Ade, but first, a talk, and a video. Then we'll all go upstairs.

Terence looks round for the spirit of Iris Bannochie.

She isn't on Gaius's shoulder.

Gaius is looking round too.

Embarrassing enough to arrive at an observatory with a hummingbird perched on your shoulder.

Worse still to misplace her, inside.

Ade begins his pre-stargazing talk.

Doctor Harry Bayley formed the Barbados Astronomical Society with W. Eustace Thomas Little in 1956, says Ade. If you turn and look to your left you will see the original 12.5 inch Newtonian telescope that Harry brought to the island.

Everyone turns.

There's a humming bird sitting on it! cries someone.

Crikey! says Ade. Nicholas! Shoo it out will you.

Nicholas gets ready to shoo.

It's my hummingbird, says Gaius, standing up. I do apologise.

He whistles through his teeth, enticingly. This works for normal birds. But not for Iris.

I'll get her! shouts Terence.

He runs towards the 12.5" Newtonian. The spirit of Iris Bannochie flies up.

DON'T TOUCH IT! squawks Iris Bannochie.

YOU did, says Terence.

Has he scratched it? asks Gaius.

Griff gets up and goes over. No, it's okay.

The spirit of Iris Bannochie has spotted a black and white photo of Harry Bayley.

Joy ! La-La-Lay! Dear Harry Bayley. Much more handsome than Gaius. How sad it was when he died.

She weeps a hummingbird tear over her dear Harry Bayley.

Enough distractions! says Ade. Time is wasting. Mars will have disappeared already.

The crowd thinks it's a swizz, if Mars has disappeared already.

Tonight is not going well.

Barbados is thirteen degrees north of the equator, says Ade. We have spectacular dark skies perfect for viewing the constellations. You're all in for a treat tonight. Saturn will be visible tonight from 8.10 pm. You'll be able to see some of it's moons very clearly.

Get on with it then, mutters Griff.

Yes? says Ade. Did you have a question?

Griff quickly thinks of a question.

Err....what will we see in the video?

Ridiculous question, hisses Gaius. We're about to be shown it.

But Ade answers all questions.

Star births, supernova explosions, spiral galaxies and the general vastness of the universe, says Ade. You will be introduced to the constellations and learn their names, and the names of the brightest stars. Now, who knows the names of the planets?

I do! says a kid in the front row. (There is always a smart kid).

And what are they named after? asks Ade.

The smart kid is stumped for a second. She was going to reel off the names. Now she has to think: what are they named after?

Her mum looks at her smiling, expectant.

Gods! says the smart kid.

Well done, Louise! says her mother.

And does anyone else know what the names are? asks Ade.

Louise knits her brows like a little god of thunder. She knows the answer and now someone else has to answer.

No other kid puts their hand up.

Ade looks at Terence. The kid who nearly crashed into the priceless Newtonian.

Do you know?

Terence has no idea.

Gods. Gods. Gods. Wait, yes, he DOES know!

The best one's called Grandpa, says Terence.