Bob Vila's Hammer's Journal: Mars

I am writing in my journal this full-moon-night for no other reason than Mars, the red planet. Knowing that it is as close as it has ever been in 60,000 years brings so many starlights to my thoughts that had to be written.

As I gazed from my bedroom window at the moon that is resident there every night, I noticed its new brilliantly red partner. I have always seen and noticed its existance based on the color of its reflection in the sunlight, but never in the moonlight. Blazing like some distant god waiting to be worshipped or conquered - nothing has struck me as profoundly in the heavens until now.

Its proximity in the sky to our satellite couldn't be more inspiring. If you are gazing at the Moon you are drawn to Mars. If you are gazing at Mars, you are looking almost through the moon. What great physics perfection is looking down on us? Granting us the privilege of understanding not only our solar system in such a way, but an inspiration in the same thought. To know about our future presence among the stars and to grant us this rare gift of timing that can only occur once in an entire evolution seems eternally poetic.

The trials that we have been through getting to space were such an achievement that even though I didn't live through those times I can understand their huge importance. I feel like I have toiled in some way to achieve that first step into the universe. Looking back at those tragedies, I feel pain for the loss of fellow wonderers.

• The training exercise that cost the lives of three American astronauts in 1967, the death of Victor Komaruv the same year. In 1971 three cosmonauts died during re-entry. The Challenger tragedy during which I cried with my kindergarten class and teacher - 7 astronauts. Space Shuttle Columbia...
  The Apollo 13 mission that almost cost the lives of 3 astronauts, the Mir collision in 1997.

All of these things effect me still, someone who wasn't related to or even knew someone involved in those accidents and disasters. These have become a part of my blood and my memory. They will adhere to my thoughts and dreams of space as much as Mars looms past the beacon of the moon.

So here we are being privy to the most spectacular alignment we have ever seen as a species and never before in such a pivotal time. Our destiny is being revealed once again to us - but who among us is paying attention?

It is a time of convincing. If a full moon in August, the month of my birth, and a new century isn't well enough for your divining eyes, nor if Mars is dancing closer than ever before, meteors will dash your vision and beguile you. The heavens will change your soul for their employment even if it is only in some small way.
I wish hope were made of gravity and promises were made of light. People would be staring now at a focus of peace and prosperity, destiny amongst nations seeded thoroughly in a medium of orange-red dust and the compliment metallic nutrient - a new blood capable of respirating a Martian soul. Growing to love one another and the strive for something better and something otherworldly. Being able to stare down the pasts of history in a telescope...from...Mars or the Moon at the water Planet growing old and wise and new.

It only takes a moment at the window to realize this is something that everyone should know. So I write this passage as my country, one of the leaders of this world, loses its vision. The visitors of another planet have turned their backs on the stars staring at them so intensely now in concert. They have insulted their dear friends (allies) while venting their anger at some distant tyrant land. Showering missiles like meteors and preparing for war by scrutinizing too closely the earth. And where it would take two eyes to track a planet, it only takes two hands to shut the blinds.

Mine are being held open this night - for I am catching up with old aquaintences and reaching for their forgiveness.