How far can it look out again? Ida said as she moved away from the telescope. She has just seen Andromeda, and M51 galaxy before that.
About tens of million lights years away….you can see far away galaxies in space but also further back in time. Gabriel replied.
Oh yeah, I forgot that we’re looking back into the past. I remember the first time I saw Saturn through a telescope. I was not immediately impressed, I think because I have seen so many photos of Saturn in books. I know how it looks like. Then when it finally dawned to me that this was actually the real Saturn in space I’m looking at, suddenly I was afraid that some hand of God or an alien will pass by me and say hi.
In France, he would say, coucou! He joked. I can clearly see your paranoid nature from that story!
It got worse. She continued. I was really scared thinking I could be the only one looking at Saturn at the very moment when this scenario in my mind would happen. When I told this to the astronomy guide later, he assured me that was impossible because the light coming from Saturn would take around 1-1.5 hours to arrive earth.
Well, if the alien really wanted to be seen, he would stay there 24/7 no? He countered.
See, I’m not the only one who runs away with my imagination!
Haha yes, I often imagine another planet 100 million years away, and let’s assume they have intelligent beings. When they point the telescope at us, they would see our past, of dinosaurs roaming on earth. And when they look again 50 millions years later, it would be the factories of the industrial revolution and another 50 million years, which brings us to today…
..they will see us bent over our smart phones. She finished his sentence.
Not exactly what I wanted to say, but it’s more accurate. He smiled.
Isn’t that a bit disconcerting don’t you think? Ida said. That from our earthly perspective, what we see in the sky has already happened.
A bit disorienting, yes, but it could also be poetic like you say. The only present is here and now, on earth. Or exactly where we are, if you want to be really precise.
I never thought of it like that. She said, thoughtfully.
The two of them stood there quietly. Ida peering into the telescope once again and Gabriel looking out the same window into the open sky.
Here, let me show you something special, I mean something everyone likes. Ida took her eyes off the telescope and moved to make room for him. He then made some adjustments to the telescope. There, the star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
Ida looked into the telescope again, she closed her left eye and focused her right one. Whoa, that’s one bright star.
It’s part of the Canis Major constellation, about 9 light years away. It’s the closest star to earth. It’s so bright that it’s visible to almost every inhabited region of earth, except for some areas near the south pole.
It literally looks like a diamond in the sky. I bet someone has proposed with that. She said.
Yeah. I know someone who did. He said sheepishly. But it’s not me!
Why not? I think it’s sweet, whoever did that who’s-not-you. She said. You know right now, you can have a star named after you or someone else. Or you can buy a map, for a certain time or day to show the position of the night sky on the time of your birth, or any event you want.
People have always been fascinated with the night sky but with the advent of modern living which comes with a lot of light pollution, we can’t see as much. We have lost interest in it. So we just enjoy the idea of it, instead of looking at it. I think that’s very sad. Gabriel said.
Yeah, imagine if we can see what our ancestors saw thousands of years ago. They could see the milky way in all its glory just with their naked eyes. I think we’re meant to see it that way to be honest. She said looking out to the window. I often wonder what they could have been thinking? Not having scientific explanations, not knowing that the sun is the center of the solar system, not having science to explain it. To just have this raw experience. I would have loved to be an early human to experience that. Or go back in time. I feel we’ve really lost connection to the universe. I feel that’s what connects us all, the sky, especially the night sky.
I agree, it’s the reason why my dad built this observatory. He wanted to share his passion about it. I wished you could have met him. You would have had lots to talk about. He said.
Yeah, I miss him and our talks. She said in a melancholic tone. Was Ollie always into it?
Oh yeah, I think from the moment his dad took him to the planetarium in Toulouse when he was a kid. They have a really good one there called Cite de l’espace. He was obsessed from the get-go, as he always says.
I like that museum’s name, City of Space. I feel that we should all be obsessed about it. I think we’ve lost the magic we feel about the universe…so I’m really happy places like The Night Sky exists. You’re not thinking of running it yourself?
I don’t know. I always knew this is what I want to do that when I retire, when my dad makes it to 100 and I’ll be 65. You know. I didn’t imagine it to be right now.
She nodded, listening.
Right now, there’s so many people who don’t have a home, who have lost their homes. Whereas I’m privileged to own this land and this small estate. I feel ashamed just living here and “doing nothing” for the world.
But it’s not nothing…do you really believe that? She asked.
I know that on some level, it inspires others. And that also gives me fulfillment, to see people in awe of the universe, get them excited about it again. But I feel it’s not as critical to the world right now.
I can’t say I don’t agree with you. But you told me that maybe that what makes me happy is what would make an impact to the world. Don’t you think that applies to you too?
Well, that’s the thing. I’m also quite happy to know that I’ve used my skills to build houses and infrastructures for others. So I’m happy doing both, I just feel compelled to choose what’s more urgent. I need to be out there more than I need to be here.
Ida nodded. I understand, I feel the same actually. That’s why I’m looking for work that’s more fulfilling. That makes a real difference in the world. Like yours.
Not really sure it really makes a difference but I would like to think that it does. He replied. I’m lucky my mom has inspired me on this humanitarian path and it’s also something I wanted. I’m pretty sure you’ll find yours.
She nodded. My mom, she was an English teacher but she was also an environmental activist. She wrote in the columns of papers advocating for environmental issues. She was the one who inspired me take my course in Marine Biology and encouraged me to apply for my first job with the environmental NGO. And I feel that it could still be my path, I can find a similar job. But at the same time, I feel I want to find my own.
It will come, don’t worry. One day, in 10 years, you’d be surprised who you’ve become.
I hope not a crazy philosopher!
They both laughed.
Do you want to stay longer and look more with the telescope? He asked. Or do you want to stay out in the balcony to see the Orionids? You know those chairs that my sister designed, they tilt back!
Let’s do that. I’m excited to see meteor show. She looked at her watch. Oh it’s 1030pm already, I hope I’m not making you stay up so late?
No, no. It’s my pleasure. I always look forward to it. Besides it’s your only night here. I’ll stay up for a long as you’d like. He said and meant it.
They walked down the observatory. Gabriel went down first and Ida followed.
You haven’t seen the Orionids in the Philippines? I imagine it was visible there too.
Yes, I did, multiple times. But I wanted to see it with someone special…
Yeah it’s really lovely to see it with you…Gabriel looked up at her and smiled until he realized something. He let out an embarrassed laugh. Oh, you wanted to see it with your dad! Sorry I assumed.
Yeah, that was the idea. But it’s also nice to see it with you. She said, shyly. They could not see each other’s expressions but they were both smiling.
They were down at the door to the observatory and started to walk back together to the house.
I’m always amazed at the fact that meteor showers come from the remnants of comets. And most people don’t know that. Ida said. For me, it’s like clues left by the sky for us. During multiple times a year, the universe says hey look, you live in a universe with magical things!
Well a thousand years ago, the meteor showers were meteor storms. He said. Like literally every inch of the sky, you see a meteor fall.
Oh, I would have loved to see that.
The next one could be in 20 years, 2035.
Haha, thanks for the heads up. I’ll put in my calendar. She said, with an enthusiastic tone.
Why do I get the feeling you’re really going to do that?
They arrived at the house and went directly into the balcony. They settled back into the chairs they’ve sat on earlier. Gabriel showed her how to tilt her chair back.
So let’s see, the Orion’s belt is there. He said, pointing to the south, to their right. So we have to look there, that area. It’s called Orionids because they appear to come from there. Ah sorry maybe I’m repeating things you already know.
No, go ahead, I liked to be guided and talked into it. She replied, remembering how Ollie has already told her the exact same thing.
Actually it can appear from anywhere. That’s why it’s my favorite. At some point, you have meteors coming from all over. Look there’s one. And another. It’s starting. He said excitedly, pointing to different points in the sky.
She eagerly looked on and spotted some with her own eyes.
They were there almost an hour, just silently and contentedly looking up the sky, together, occasionally pointing up at the sky.
I’ll probably head up to sleep now. She said abruptly, after seeing that it’s 11.30 on her watch. She slowly got up.
Really? Gabriel said as he also stood up.
I don’t want to bother you more…I know you have still things to do tomorrow. She started to say. I really had a great night…
Ida stepped closer to him and was about to give him a hug when suddenly, a big bright glowing ball swooshed above them. It was so bright that Gabriel involuntarily pointed at it but Ida was already following it.
Then, they heard a loud sound.
What was that? Ida asked.
It’s a fireball! and I think it just landed just over there, not so far from us.
I’ve never seen anything like that before. She said excitedly.
Sometimes a meteorite could fall during a meteor shower. I saw some before but never that close before! Do you want to go try to find it? Gabriel said, seemingly asking himself the question.
Can we really? I would. Ida found herself answering.
Um, probably not, but I would like to check it out anyway. Do you want to go? You don’t have to. I’ll go quickly. It’s pretty safe here don’t worry. He assured her.
Oh, I want to go!
It’s about 20 minutes walk but we’re going to walk in the dark. Are you okay with that?
Yes!
Okay, so I’ll go grab some things. Put on your warmest coat and better, with thermals too. Meet me here in 10?
Sure. Ida said, already heading towards the door to the house.
Hey Ida, he said smiling, don’t get so excited. Probably, we won’t see anything. But it’s near a place I’ve been wanting to show you. I think you might like to see it too.