On Being a Dinosaur

Star Struck by Ruth

Has anyone here been insulted by being called a ‘dinosaur?’

Luckily for us in the u3a, those kind of ageist remarks are no longer relevant. However, many birthdays have passed in the process of becoming pensioners, we no longer need to apologise for our very existence in today’s world. There is, however, another good reason why that particular insult is not quite what it might seem. And for that, we have to delve into the life of one very special dinosaur whose life can be reconstructed, thanks to modern fossilhunters and scientists.

We’ve all heard the story of the giant asteroid which plunged into our planet, some 66 million years ago, bringing with it the extinction of the dinosaurs. At least, that was the story we were told. Picture-books and films entertained generations of children (and some adults) as the aftermath of that split-second event brought death and destruction to the monsters. As for the asteroid itself, it became nothing more than fine dust, spreading across our once-blue skies, turning them into a suffocating darkness. And even more innocent creatures were to die.

In the silence that followed, a whole species had suffered instant destruction. At least, that’s how the story goes. But what if… What if the story doesn’t quite end there?

Fast-forward to unexpected murmurings in the late nineteenth century, when Thomas Huxley, Darwin’s great supporter, first realised that a strange dinosaur fossil, discovered in southern Germany was not the grey-skinned giant that had been the popular image thus far, but was in fact a small creature, around the size of a pigeon… and covered in feathers. And so, began the story of the missing link. Archaeopteryx. The first bird. Since that discovery, many more fossils have been unearthed, particularly in China. Specimens in that country were preserved under a layer of volcanic ash, enabling scientists to determine not only the structure of the creatures, but the spectacular colours of their feathers. And as time went on, the evidence. That slow evolution from dinosaur to the brightly coloured birds we see in our gardens today.

The mystery of their survival remains unsolved, but evolution tells its own story. That asteroid was not the end.

So next time someone calls you a ‘dinosaur’; be flattered. Even a six-mile wide asteroid was no match for such a creature. Your history goes back a log way!

I have never really been interested in star gazing simply because the night sky is so complex. ‘Look up and find the North star’ a simple instruction but there are so many bright stars up there, which one to focus on? I could always find patterns in the heavens but never the correct one! I found the process frustrating and so when presented with this night time adventure I was reluctant to take part but it was part of the holiday package. Nothing lost, nothing gained except for the hot chocolate and cakes that we had been
promised on our return.
And so I joined the others on their drive into the bushveld. We passed
silhouette outlines of trees and shrubs as we moved away from the light pollution and into the vast expanse of darkness.
A safe area of grassland was found in which to alight. My mind wandered to the roaming lion, to the snakes, cheetah and rhino; where were they now? I stayed close to the vehicle ready to clamber to safety if necessary. Others seemed oblivious to the dangers that might surround us!
My eyes slowly adjusted to the night shadows and my ears became attuned to the grunting sounds of the wildebeest and other animals. There was a hushed, reverent silence amongst the novice astrologers.
Above me there was a blanket of celestial bodies suspended in the
stratosphere, planets revolving around the sun, our moon a mysterious
luminous orb, stars emitting their small points of twinkling light, a comet flying through the sky leaving its tail of gas behind it, and asteroids hovering in space.
I can’t say that I witnessed all these wonders but there were all there.
Our guide turned on his laser torch and pointed it skyward. What an
extraordinary moment that was for all of us. Our sharp intake of breath and exhalation of joy filled the air with amazement. He could touch a star! His torch and red beam could actually rest on a star! And so, he was able to clearly show us the South Star, The Southern Cross, Orion’s Belt with Sword hanging below and a myriad of other constellations. For the first time in my life, I could wonder at the sheer magnificence of the world beyond earth. The Milky Way could be clearly seen and my mind was blown away by the fact that each speck of dust was one of the 400 billion (approx.) stars or planets. It was a place of
mystery and intrigue, of incomprehension; a vault of heavenly bodies looking down at me, leaving me elated and awe struck. It was then that I found my own peace in appreciating the vastness of the universe.
My safari holiday was complete, not only do I have a greater understanding of what Mother Earth has to offer but I can look up and wonder.