Lightning flashes brightly on the eastern horizon. Gazing up at the sky, I can’t help but notice that the sun left the clouds behind on its journey west. The Star Party That Isn’tĪfter orientation, we gather outside to hear our fate-to be or not to be a Star Party. I lean over to Michael, whispering, “I think we have a young Sheldon in the audience.” He smiles and we both think of The Big Bang Theory television show and the offshoot-which we think highly entertaining- Young Sheldon. One young boy asks and answers question after question after question. The Twilight Program is delightful as well as educational and entertains all of the kids in the audience–the adults too. It is the end of the desert monsoon season. Perhaps when the sun drops below the land it will pull the clouds with it. By the time 6:45 rolls around and the orientation Twilight Program begins, a mass of swirling, billowing shades of gray form an ominous backdrop from horizon to horizon. Sitting at a table outside, munching on a surprisingly delicious chicken-bacon-avocado concoction, we watch the clouds massing together, forming layer upon layer of floating ice crystals. Michael grabs chips and drinks while I think. After checking in at the reception desk, we head to the snack bar-ish Star Date Cafe, taking our time, trying to figure out which sandwich to order. Being very early for our appointed Twilight Program the parking lot is empty and we are able to snag a prime space, as close to the entrance as you can possibly get–which isn’t close at all. I feel the road must have been narrower back then, and not half as smooth as my Father drove our family of five higher and higher with me and my older sister in the back seat-butterflies in our tummies.Ĭresting the hill, we follow the signs to the parking lot of the Frank N. The first time I was barely old enough to be in school, and I was terrified. There are many other times when I have been in a car driving to the top of this soft rounded peak in the Davis Mountains. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday.On our way up the mountain to the McDonald Observatory, the road is wide and smooth, the views expansive. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science since 2015. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. She was contributing writer for (opens in new tab) for 10 years before joining full-time, freelancing since 2012. Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well.
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