Marzieh Ghiasi

I was about nine or so, standing in front of my grandmother’s house an early spring evening, looking mesmerized at the ever-falling comet Hale-Bopp illuminating the dark sky. Emotions can hardly be transcribed into words, but looking at this falling star, one that would come back in 2500 years– when we would all be nothing but star dust– I was overcome by how incredibly small I was in the face of infinity. All the while sensing how incredibly significance we must be, to have the privilege being witness to and a part of this infinity. I’ve kept that moment. And now, all these years later, when I look up at the sky I still feel vividly the awe and wonder I felt then.

Galactic Center of Milky Way Rises over Texas Star Party byWilliam Castleman.