For Maxee - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are."
These simple, age-old questions have fascinated us as a species for countless millennia. Despite the vast expanse of time, it's only been a scant tenth of a percent of our existence that we've come to truly understand these celestial bodies.
A little girl called Maxee in my workshop was fascinated by stars. As she takes control of the telescope, She points it towards one bright star after another, soaking in the ethereal beauty that is light years away yet feels so intimately close through the lens of the telescope. From Antares (a ruby red fire in the heart of the Scorpio constellation) to Vega (the fifth brightest star in the sky), to Pluto (no longer classified as a planet but still a beloved member of our solar system), to Altair ( a major star of the Summer Triangle)... It's not just the famous and the bright that call out to her. Random stars, unnamed and undistinguished to her young eyes, equally share in her fascination. She takes her time, guiding the telescope from one to the next, each a new point of light, a new mystery to unravel.
The following is an image of the Trifid nebula, and we looked at the bright star at the bottom through the telescope together. The Trifid nebula was very bright, and the star shone brilliantly. It was a truly mesmerising and beautiful scene.
Each star she finds is a new discovery, igniting a spark in her bright eyes. "Look at that star! It's so pretty!". Her voice was filled with an excitement that mirrors the wonder of our ancestors when they first looked up at the night sky, and it resonates with the curiosity of every astronomer, every scientist, every dreamer who has dared to ask: "What is out there?"
As she marvels at each new star, it's impossible not to feel a sense of profound joy. Here, in this precious moment, it feels as if I was not just showing her the stars, but witnessing a tradition as old as humanity itself – the desire to understand the universe.
And then, under the vast expanse of the universe, we created a moment to remember. She held a candle aloft, lighting her face with joy and a soft glow. Under the canvas of starlight peeking through the clouds, it looked like she was holding up a star.
Maxee holding up a star
I hope it is a timeless snapshot encapsulating her excitement, fascination, and the beautiful night sky she loved. Every time we would look at that photograph, it would take us back to that magical night, a reminder of the cosmos' magic and a child's boundless curiosity.
Oh my god, I gave my heart and soul to writing this one.
Date: 18 July 2023
Location: Zebra Stone Litchfield, Northern Territory, Australia
