Student Posts

While browsing through photos, NASA’s photo gallery immediately drew me in. Since I was a child, I was always fascinated by space and astronomy. The idea that time and space is infinitely larger than humankind can fathom enthralled me, and I constantly read about galaxies, planets, and stars. Today, advanced imagery technology can capture vivid images of the vast world beyond Earth…in breathtaking detail. We no longer have to imagine what deep space looks like, because we can now see them. I was very excited that NASA made these images available for download and use. In “NGC 3324,” I love how the golden clouds seem to invite the viewer to glance closer at the stars behind them. The purple specks, which represent young stars, make the image sparkle and come to life.

I chose the song “Relief” to accompany the image because it enhances the magical and mysterious quality of it. The reverberating bells in the introduction (0:00-0:45) capture the vastness of deep space while the low strings that enter later (0:46-1:23) add some dissonance, representing the (still) unanswered questions we may have about the world beyond. The bells enter and exit throughout the rest of the song, and when I look at the image while listening, I feel immersed in the wonder of infinite worlds.

Terms of Use: “Infinite Worlds” by Jocelyn Hsu is licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0 (Attribution–NonCommercial 3.0 Unported). It is attributed to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and gurdonark.

Browsing photos from a 1947 naval expedition into Antarctica by the United States led me to reflect on scientific advancements of the era as well as the nation’s political climate from that year. After some cursory readings, two primary developments from that year jumped out at me as particularly interesting. The first is the formation of the “Doomsday Clock” by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, measuring the global threat posed by various technologies and crises along an abstract scale, depicted as hands on a clock moving towards midnight. Fittingly, this year’s Doomsday Clock announcement is quickly approaching, with the 2025 announcement scheduled for January 28. The second development contextualizing my image/audio combination is the signing of the Truman Doctrine in March of the same year, effectively beginning the Cold War following the end of World War II. Asserting the United States’ opposition to the rise of Communism in Eastern Europe, this address contributed immensely to military buildup and technological advancement in the mid twentieth century. The global push to explore the cosmos sped up rapidly, as did the proliferation of nuclear weapons domestically and abroad.

The image speaks to a nationalistic earnestness to push the boundaries of human exploration, to expand American culture and solidify its interests abroad. There is an uncanny jubilance to the young men’s motion, made eerie by the context of an uncharted frontier and the presence of an immense military vessel dominating the background. The sound, taken from a wind-up clock, nods to the creation and symbolic “winding up” of the aforementioned Doomsday Clock at the start of the Cold War. The sound creates a feeling of unease, of expectation, as the young men from the image, seemingly unaware of the gravity of their situation, both physically and historically, are suspended in perpetual play. Reading further still into the juxtaposition of the sound with image, there is a suggested dark humor, a double-entendre suggesting play amidst nuclear winter. The image is free of distinguishable flora or fauna, instead consisting of three simple elements: man, machine, snow. Perhaps the combination of image and audio could be read as speculative fiction- a glimpse into life in the post-apocalypse, of peace amidst armageddon.

“Playtime in Nuclear Winter” by Craig Moore is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Sunsets hold an unparalleled magic for me. No matter my location or activity, I’m compelled to pause and witness their splendor. The image above perfectly encapsulates the awe and beauty that I experience during these moments. Each sunset is a unique masterpiece.

Watching the sky transform always uplifts my spirits, making my love for them undeniable. I chose the acoustic guitar to accompany this image because its light and airy sound mirrors the ethereal quality of a sunset. Just as one can easily lose themselves in the music of an acoustic guitar, it’s equally easy to become mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of a sunset. Combining these elements – the visual and the auditory – creates an even more profound and immersive experience.

I spend many years chasing the big, exciting highs of life. However, about a decade ago I began the journey of learning to embrace and celebrate the little things in life, realizing it was those little things that brought me the greatest joy. Now having a preschooler getting to experience life and play through his eyes, I have an even deeper appreciation for the joy that the little things in life bring. One of the purest and simplest forms of joy I find is blowing bubbles with my child. There is something incredibly peaceful and fun about watching these soapy balls float in the air, but the laughter and happiness both my child and I find in popping them is bliss.

Popped by carterse paired with the song Hey! by Benjamin Tissot represent the joy I find in the simple pleasure popping bubbles. I cannot help but giggle seeing the dog in Popped attempting to burst this bubble. By pairing the image with the upbeat and happy rhythms of Hey!, I find myself provided with ample smiles, amusement, and joy. This pairing enhances the experience finding joy and pleasure in the little, simple things in this life.

Terms of Use: “It’s the Little Things” by Caitlin Woodington is licensed under Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)