the birthday party
This morning, I got up very early, for a special space mission…a birthday mission! I had found out that it was the birthday of my dear friend from work, the Hubble telescope, who just turned 20 years old!
I know Hubble from my occasional little weekend space missions working for NASA. (As it turns out, I am rarely taking part in any space missions anymore, because I found that my children missed me too much when I was that far away…or maybe it’s that I missed them too much!)
So, in any case, I called up Hubble, & the very kind telescope said we could meet close by, just near the outer hedge of the Earth’s atmosphere.
As a little surprise, I brought along a birthday cupcake with a single candle! I guess I have my son LB’s pyromaniacal tendencies, because I almost caught the whole Universe on fire! Luckily enough, Hubble blew out the candle & made a birthday wish, just in the nick of time!
After that, we chatted a little, about Life, the Universe, and, of course, Spitzer & Chandra, who are Hubble’s best friends. Then we fondly said our good-byes…
Happy Year, Hubble! Keep up your beautiful work!
love,
Clay Ball
These photographs are courtesy of NASA–thank you, NASA!
