Stargazer

"You and I are made of stardust. We are the stuff of exploded stars. We are, therefore, at least one way that the Universe knows itself. ” ~Bill Nye

I find myself endlessly fascinated by the vast expanse of space and the mysteries it holds. One particular memory stands out—the summer of 1999, when I witnessed my first meteor shower, the Leonids, right outside my college dorm in New York.

On that magical night in the Bronx, the sky was a canvas of darkness, free from clouds and minimally touched by the glow of city lights. The Leonids, an annual meteor shower associated with the comet Tempel–Tuttle, treated us to a spectacular show—a celestial dance that graces our skies every November, peaking every 33 years.

Since that awe-inspiring night, I've made it a habit to gaze at the heavens in earnest. One aspect I miss about my hometown is a sky full of stars. Living in London, the city lights contribute to significant light pollution, allowing me to see only a couple of stars on a clear night. Yet, even in this urban landscape, the moon shines brightly, a constant reminder of the celestial wonders that persist, despite the challenges of city life.