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SERVICES PAGE 14 - PL AjXDK SALEH-F KIDAV MARCH IS 1077 V ASTRONOMY FROM A.T02; Charles Schweighauser Sangamon State University Astronomy and Astrology People .often confuse the science of astronomy with the pseudoscience of astrology. In ancient Mesopotamia, where astrology is thought to have .originated about 5000 years ago* astrononn and astrology were intimately bound togeth­ er as people observed the stars and motions of the planets, sun. and moon to try to pre­ dict the supposed influence of these objects 'on human lives. Astronomy and astrology continued as partners for several millenia in other ancient cultures. including Egyptian. Chinese. Greek, and Roman through the European Middle Ages. Even such an illustrious astronomei as Johannes Kepler (157l-i< 30) was both astrologer and astron­ omer Credit should thus !>e given to astrology for making possible many of the observa­ tions that have led to our modern science of astronomy. The two words also have the same Greek root, "astr," mean­ ing star. The difference be­ tween "astronomy" and "astrology." however, is found in the last part of the words. ' 'Nomos." as in astronomy, means law; astronomy is the study of the laws of the stars. "Logos." as in astrology, means, speech or discourse, thus giving the word astrology a meaning close to "told by the stars." It is only in more recent times that astronomy and astrology have parted compa­ ny. The reason for this split is that the accuracy of observa­ tion that the science of astron­ omy employs conclusively demonstrates that, with the exception of the tides caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. there is abso­ lutely no influence on human affairs as a result of the move­ ments and positions of celestial objects. Astronomy seeks to uncover precise cause-effect relation­ ships between observed phe­ nomena and to arrange these data into a total world picture of the structure, motions, and * evolution of the universe and ;•!! of its parts. Astronomers do not claim to be able to answer all the questions that we can ask about the universe, or to be able to explain many of the things that happen. in the universe or on the earth. They do not pretend to have abso­ lute and complete knowledge about any part of the cosmos. Astronomers do. however, work very carefully to gather data that can be repeated in subsequent observations, with the prospect that we will con­ tinue to learn more and more ibout the universe. This kind of careful and painstaking a> curacy is missing from astrol­ ogy and other enterprises that ha- e no basis in observational evidence and fact. .. : ience, including astrono­ my. is the procedure by which we try to understand nature and its operations. Astrono­ mers pose hypotheses, for examp'e, about how a star creates and generates light energy. As we test these ideas against observed data, oui hypotheses change until we have a workable model called a theory. Theories, too, change when new evidence is found. Taking another illustiation. planetary astronomers thought lor many years that the season­ al color changes on Mars ob­ served through earth-based telescopes might be caused by growing vegetation watered by moisture from melting Martian polar caps. With the evidence gathered by the unmanned spacecrafts. Mariner and Viking, that have orbited and landed on Mars during the past few years, it is now generally agreed that these changes are due to large and vigorous dust storms that occur periodically in the atmosphere of the planet. Our theories about Mars have been altered. Dr. Bart Bok, one of the preeminent astronomers of this century and a recent partici­ pant in a science colloquium at Sangamon State University, feels strongly that astrology, as important as it was to ancient peoples, should be regarded only as an historical curiosity that no longer has relevency for educated and well-informed people. He has written ".. .I have had. more than half a century of day-to-day and night-to-night contacts with the starry heavens, and it is my duty to speak up and to state clearly that I see no evidence that the stars and planets influ­ ence or control our, personal lives and that 1 have found much evidence to the contrary. Before the days of modern astronomy, it made sense to look into possible justifications for astrological beliefs, but it is silly to do so now that we have a fair picture of man's place in the universe." Professor Schweighauser invites questions from inter­ ested readers. One question each month will be selected for discussion in this column. Write: Charles Schweighauser Sangamon State Uni­ versity Springfield, 111. 62708 Drouth Prospects Favor Planting Soybeans PRECIPITATION OUTLOOK ABOVE BELOW Mid-February to Mid-March 1977 BELOW BELOW © 2 100 SOYBEAN (•) r CORN (©) For 1977, Dr. Donald Baker of the University of Minnesota forecasts a dry summer and fall. Michigan State University agricultural economists Roy Black and Stanley Thompson predict that yields will decline in the Cornbelt during this period. "Last year's drouth is ex­ pected to linger on through 1982," reported The Farmer magazine in its January 15 issue. Confronted with a dry future, growers will find soy­ beans to be an alternative crop that "adapts to environ­ mental weather stress better than other crops," in the words of Dr. R. A. Hinton of the University of Illinois. Ag­ ronomic tests have demon­ strated that soybeans "re­ cover from drougth during early vegetative growth with less reduction in final yield than a number of other crops (Agronomy Journal, Vol. 65, pp. 620-23)." One reason why soybeans withstand reduced moisture better than corn has to do with the effects of water balance on plant metabolism. The successful growth of all crops requires that plant tis­ sue convert carbon dioxide into sugars and other organic components. That process, called photosynthesis, neces­ sitates water obtained through the plant's roots. Measured in terms of "leaf water potential," over three times as much water can be lost from soybeans than from corn, before photosynthesis efficiency is lost (see diagram). With comparable rates of water loss, the photosynthesis rate of corn drops much faster than for soybeans. To reach a low of 20% "net photosyn­ thesis rate," soybeans would have to lose over 250% more water than corn. Another reason why soy­ beans are more durable than corn in times of bad weather is that corn plants undergo a far shorter pollination period than soybeans, and are thus more vulnerable to brief short­ ages of moisture. Dr. J. W. Pendleton of the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Edgar E. Hartwig of USDA explained this advantage of soybeans: "The long flowering period enables the plant to escape or survive short periods of drought stress. Failure of early flowers to set pods due to water stress may be compen­ sated for by excellent pod set of late flowers if moisture becomes available." Although drouth harms all crops, growers may obtain more profit protection in planting soybeans, which seem to do a better job of holding onto moisture than do com­ peting cash crops. 0 - 4 - 8 -12 -16 - 20 - 24 - 28 - 32 - 36 - 40 -44 Leaf Water Potential (bars) The drouth of 1976-77 in large areas of the Cornbelt and North Central States has reduced moisture accumula­ tion in the ground, as the 1977 planting season gets underway. "With drier con­ ditions now, and uncertain prospects for later precipita­ tion, farmers who face plant­ ing decisions should consider the drouth-resistant qualities of soybeans," said Robert W. Judd, Managing Director of the National Soybean Crop Improvement Council, on February 28. In sizeable parts of Minne­ sota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illi­ nois, Nebraska, Kansas, Mis­ souri, Oklahoma, Michigan and the Dakotas, rainfall was well under 50 percent below normal from June through November 1976. The Na­ tional Weather Service's cur­ rent monthly outlook (see map) recognizes the cumula­ tive below-average precipita­ tion that these states are continuing to suffer. LOUISA'S LETTER Dear Louisa, What do you do about peo­ ple who start telling you some­ thing you wish to know and they make so many detours while they tell the story that the listener is worn down be­ fore the person gets to the point? I have a friend who will start off with, "Let me tell you what happened, it was the most amazing thing. It was on Monday--no, I believe it was on Tuesday--I know I had just come in from having coffee next door with Bertha- did you know she was expecting I was so surprised when Louise told me about it on our bridge game Friday, etc.. etc., etc." At times she never finishes telling me what happened. Do you think I should tell her that she wears people down with all these side trips she takes in her conversation? Friend-Miss. Answer: Your friend is what is known as a rambler. She rambles around about every new person or idea that comes into her mind and before she realizes it she is off the origi­ nal subject altogether. The only thing you can do is to stop her in the midst of her discourse with, "Well what did happen?" Louisa SUBSCRIBE To The McHenry Plaindealer And Save *10.30 Over Newstand Price FILL OUT AND MAIL OR BRING TO: McHENRY PLAINDEALER 3812 W. Elm St., McHenry,III. 60050, with check or money order for '10.50 for one year I subscription within McHenry County. I I NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP I f -* l JUST ARRIVED AND DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN? Can The hostess in your area wiH call on you with a variety of helpful community, information along with gifts afad greetings from local mer­ chants. DL„„X Mary Ann Belli rhonfe „ .. • --, Peggy Kaiser /923-2442 3§5-27ib fc.-V*' -v"-- Sunday Proverbs 25:1-28 Monday Malachi 2:1-10 Tuesday Matthew 5:2148 Here is a man who can walk a steel girder hundreds of feet high -- as casually as if he were hiking down a highway. Yet last summer he nearly panicked when he took his kids for a boat ride on a subterranean river at the bottom of a cavern. What one man can do easily another flinches from. It really seems as if God planned it that way. He made us in varying sizes, shapes and colors. He gave us all different talents. When you add up the sum total it means that each of us is unique. Next time you're feeling down, think about the unique­ ness. You are you -- you even have fingerprints that don't match those of any other person in the world. Being you is important. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Why not take that important person to church next Sun­ day? Scriptures selected by The American Bible Society Copyright 1977 Keister Advertising Service, Strasburg. Virginia Wednesday Matthew 25:31 -46 Thursday Mark 3:19-35 Friday Mark 12:28-44 Saturday Luke 1025-37 First United Methodist Church 3717 Went Main Street Church phone 385-0931 Ralph Smith. Pantor Par-Nonage Phone: 385-1352 Vornhip: 9:30 a.m. and 1 1:00 a.m. Church School: 1 1 :GO a.m. Church of God Greenleaf Ave. at Fairfield Dr. Inland Lake School Service*: Sunday School. 10 a.m. Church Service. 1 1 a.m. Evangelistic Service. 7 p.m. Telephone: 312-526-8056 St. Peter's Catholic Church Spring Grove, lllinoi* Rev. Kilduff. Pastor Phone 815-675-2288 MASSES: Daily 8 a.m. Saturday - 7:30 p.m. Sutidav - 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Johnwburg Rev. Leo Bartel, Pantor Rectory Phone 385-1477 Convent Phone 385-5363 Sat. night - 8:00 p.m. Ma** Sun. Ma**e* - 7. 9. 10:30. 12:00 Nativity Lutheran Church 3506 E. Wonder Lake Rd. Bo* 157. Phone 653-3832 Wonder Lake. lllinoi* Sun. W ornhip 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday School - 9 a.m. (Nuntery Facilities Available) St. Mary's Catholic Church Rev. Eugene Baumhofer Sat. Eve. Ma** - 5 p.m. Fulfill* Sun. obligation Sunday Ma**e* - 6:30. 8. 9:30. 9:45. 10:45. I I. 12 noon. Alliance Bible Church 3815 W . Bull V alley Rd. Rev. Gerald Robertson Sundav School - 9:45 A.M. Service - 1 1:00 P.M. Service - 7:00 W ed. Bible Study & Prayer 8:00 p.m. Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Jamex Hufford Branch Prenident Phone: 459-3889 Meeting* at Prairie Grove School, 861 7 Ridgefield Road (Rt. 176) Crystal Lake, Illinois Sunday School Meeting 10:30 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting* 5:00 p.m. Sunday Except on l*t Sunday of Month - tben held at 12 noon. George R. Justen Funeral Home 3519 W. ELM STREET McHENRY. ILL. 385-2400 Glaviano's Interiors & Palatine Millwork 385-3764 414 S. ROUTE 31 JI'ST NORTH OF McHENRY FLORAL Brake Parts Co. P.O. BOX 11 McHENRY, ILL. 385-7000 Christ The King Catholic Church 5006 E. Wonder Lake Road W onder Lake, lllinoi* Sunday Mamm: 8. 10 a.m. and noon. Eve. Ma«* 8 p.m. Fulfill* Sunday Obligation Ringwood Methodist Church Ringwood. l l l inoiN Rev. JameN Segin „ Re*. 648-2848 Church 653-6956 Sunday 9:15 a.m. Church Service C.hurch School at 10:15a.m. Chain O'Lakes Evangelical Covenant Church 4815 N. Wilmot Rd. Rev. Mitchell Considine Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Church Phone - 497-3000 Parsonage - 497-3050 Christian Science Society Lincoln Road And Eastwood Lane Sunday Service - 10:30 a.m. Sunday School - 10:30 a.m. Wed. Eve., Meeting Every Third Wed. - 8:00 p.m. McHenry County Friends Meeting (Quaker) 1st & 3rd Sunday*, 10:30 a.m. for information call: 385-3872 or 312-683-3840 Mount Hope Church I'nitrd Methodist 1015 W. Broadway Pistakee Highland* Rev. Len Schoenherr Sunday Wonthip II a.m., Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Faith Presbyterian Church West of the Outdoor Theatre William Clark, Moderator Corporate Worship .10:30 a.m. Church School: Grade* 1-9 9:00 a.m. Adult 9:15 a.m. P re-School 10:30 a.m. First Baptist Church 509 N. Front St. 385-0083 Rev. Marshall E. Werry Bible Study-Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Training Union: 5:00 p.m. Interpretation for Deaf at all Ser­ vices. Special Spanish Services. Wcd- nesday. Prayer Service, 6:45 p.m. St Paul's Episcopal Church 3706 W. St. Paul's & Green Rev. Arthur D. McKay. Vicar 385-7690 Sunday Services Holy Eucharist - 8 a.m. Family Eucharist - 10 a.m. Church School & Coffee Hour Wednesdays - Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. Friday - Holv Eucharist - 9:30 a.m. Wonder Lake Bible Church 7501 Howe Drive Wonder Lake. Illinois Rev. Richard N. Wright, Pastor Sunday: Sunday School. 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service. 11:00 a.m. Bible Fellowship Hour 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: Midweek Prayer and Praise Hour. 7:30 p.m. St. Patrick's Catholic Church Rev. Edmund Petit. Pastor Rev. Raymond Kearney, Assoc. Pastor Sat.. Eve. (Sun., obligation fulfilled 5 p.m.) Sundav 7:15.8:30.9:45, 11 & 12:15 First National Bank iry SET of McHenr 3814 W. ELM STREE , McHENRY, ILL. 385-5400 McHenry Savings & Loan N. GREEN STREET 385-3000 1209 McHENRY. ILL. Halm's Wonder Lake Funeral Home 7611 HANCOCK DR. WONDER LAKE 1-728-0233 Ace Hardware 3729 W. ELM STREET McHENRY. ILL. 385-0722 Tonyan Construction Co. 1309 N. BORDEN STREET McHENRY. ILL. 385-5520 The Bath Shop 3012 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY, ILL. 385-0048 McHenry ) State Bank 3510 W. ELM STREET McHENRY, ILL. 385-1040' Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 404 N. Green St. Rev. Roger W. Schneider Phone 385-7786 or 385-4030 Saturday C.hurch. 5:00 pm School. 5:45 pm Sunday Church- 8:30 & 10:30 School - 9:15 & 11:15 Nursery Services Available St Francis National Catholic Church Flanders Rd.. east of Ringwood Rd. Sunday Ma**e* - 10 a.m. Father A. Wodka - Pa*tor Spring Grove Church United Methodi*t 8102 N. Blivin. Spring Grove. III. Rev. Len Schoenherr - Pa*tor Sunday Worship - 9 a.m. Sunday School - 10:15 a.m. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church {Missouri Synod) 4206 W. Waukegan Rd. (W. Rt. 120) Rev. Hermann F. Graef 385-0859 385-1616 Sunday Worship. 7:45 & 10:30 Nursery Services provided at 10:30 Education for Eternity Sunday School - Children and Youth, 9 a.m. McHenry Evangelical Free Church 1309 N. Court St. Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. Sunday Service - 11:00 a.m. Home Bible Studies Available Rev. David Fogleboch 344-1111 or 728-0516 Peter M. Justen Funeral Home 3807 W. ELM STREET McHENRY, ILL. 385-0063 Guettler's Service, Inc. 818 N. FRONT STREET McHENRY, ILL. 385-9831 Mitchell Sales, Inc. BUICK - OLDS - OPEL 903 N. FRONT ST., McHENRY 385-7200 The McHenry Plaindealer 3812 WEST ELM STREET McHENRY, ILL. 385^)170 Coast to Coast Hardware 4400 W. RTE. 120 McHENRY MARKET PLACE 385^655