Day 13 - Low Angle
I named my middle daughter Luna for no other reason than I am obsessively interested in the Earth’s moon. It wasn’t even a hard sell to her mother, because secretly I think that we are all obsessed with the moon. Stop reading and look at the photograph below. There is nothing more beautiful to me. It is stunningly beautiful. Absolutely paramount to human history and discovery, and undeniably tied to the creation of our concept of time; the subject of a thousand songs and poems and stories. Our own biology seems to reflect the importance of lunar cycle, and historical events all ripple the echo of lunar symbols. There is not any sort of artistry on my part that would add to the beauty that the moon possesses; anyone could sketch this image on a napkin and you would have a very similar response: wonder and interest and mystery.
A few years ago I spent absolutely too much money outfitting myself with telescopic powers just so I could see her for myself, so I could believe all of the photographs on the internet; I do not know if I have ever had an experience that was more jarring and exciting than looking through that eyepiece for the first time. If you have not ever looked at the moon through a telescope, please do yourself a favor and do it. Find a local astronomy club, buy yourself a cheap scope, I don’t care. It is something that grounds me unlike anything else I can think of. Out there, out past all problems and worries, past the entire scope of humanity, the scope of life on Earth, in celestial time scales she still performs the same dance. There are many other moons to look at in our solar system, and they all inspire a form of curiosity; but our moon is a part of us. In a sense it is a universal feature to our collective humanity; the moon is a unifying experience. When I drive home at night, I am mesmerized. Every time I look through a telescope, I am hypnotized.
There is an absolutely incredible story called “The Distance to the moon” by Italo Calvino. It captures the whismy and wonder of the moon far better than my ham-fisted attempts. If you have time, I can’t think of a better thing to do than
to read it
or
Personally I loved the narration, but either will enrich you. Until next time, goodbye!
