Comet Panstars and the new moon on the evening of March 12th. Moon Maiden and the Wanderer Moon Maiden was alone. She had been that way for so long that loneliness was her heart, and she never really thought about it. She spent her days feeling the heat of the Sun and the absolute coldness of empty space. Her sky was full of brilliant stars, and a lovely blue and white world which she had circled all her long life. A few short centuries ago she noticed small twinkling lights on the night side of the world, lights which grew in number and brightness as time passed. She often wondered what they meant. Then one day, men came from the world, and walked on her skin. Though she could not communicate with them, she was glad of the company. But they only came a few times and never returned. It was then she discovered the all encompassing loneliness in her heart, and began to long for companionship. One day Moon Maiden noticed a small moving light, coming toward the sun from the cold darkness between the stars. As he drew closer, he became brighter, and grew a jaunty white plume. She saw that he was going to the sun, and thought surely he would perish. As he neared the blazing star he became even brighter, his plume growing longer and glowing fiercely. She was filled with breathless amazement at his glory as he whipped around the sun, skimming just above it’s surface. Then she saw that as he traveled away from the sun his path would bring him near to her. As he approached, she said “Hello. I am Moon Maiden. Who are you?” “I have no name, but I’ve always been a wanderer, so I suppose you can call me that.” “I am glad to meet you Wanderer. I have always been alone. I think you were very brave, and beautiful, when you passed so close to the fire. Can you stay, and keep company with me?” “I wish I could, lovely Maiden, but I can only stay the night. Then I must follow my long path, through the endless cold and darkness.” So they spoke through the night, sharing the wonders they had seen through the ages. He told of seeing her at a great distance when he passed by the sun 500 million years ago. She told him of watching her companion world change slowly from a cauldron of fire and lightning to the lovely thing it now was, and of the strange life that had grown upon it. As he started on his journey the next day, he said “I am so glad we met. The memory of you, so lovely in your dress of silver and black, will keep my heart warm through all the cold millennia.” “And the knowledge that we will meet again, long and long though it may be, will keep my loneliness at bay. Farewell, Wanderer!”