An aging star's last hurrah creates a flurry of glowing knots of gas that appear to be streaking through space. This closeup image of the Dumbbell Nebula was taken by the JPL-built and designed Wide Field and Planetary 2 Camera, onboard NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
IMAGE COURTESY NASA/JPL
The stars and night sky provide endless opportunities for relaxation, wonder and excitement. But more than that, the sky is one of the most powerful classrooms we have. It teaches science, preserves stories, connects generations and reminds us that imagination still matters.
When I was a little boy, my mom introduced me to the wonders of the sky through Greek and Roman mythology. I loved hearing stories of Zeus placing heroes, villains, hunters and magical creatures into the heavens for all time. To look up and imagine the Milky Way as the milk of Hera, or to see Pegasus and Orion the mighty hunter shining above me, was better than any television show.
But what made those moments unforgettable was not just the mythology. It was the time I spent with my mom. Together, we bonded under stars. Her stories opened a door for me, and through that door I discovered my love for history, science and storytelling.
Science helped me understand the celestial processes behind black holes, galaxies, red giants and all the other amazing wonders of the universe. History helped me understand myths, cultures and people who looked at the same sky long before us. Storytelling helped make all of it come alive.
I will never forget those moments or the impact they had on me. That is why I try to share those passions with as many people as I can. Whether I am watching the launch of an Artemis mission, seeing images from a new telescope or simply looking up at Leo the Lion or Cassiopeia’s signature W, I think of my mom.
Her stories and her love were the light that allowed me to see the night sky for the treasure it truly is. The sky is not only a place of stars. It is a place of memory, imagination, family and wonder. We should all take more time to look up, share stories and let the night sky remind us of who we are and what we still have to discover.
