The Lunar Dispatch

Share this post

STRAWBERRY MOON 2023

willdowd.substack.com

Discover more from The Lunar Dispatch

Arriving on the night of the full moon, this monthly newsletter brings you news and musings about our nearest celestial neighbor.
Over 2,000 subscribers
Continue reading
Sign in

STRAWBERRY MOON 2023

The Moon never takes sick leave

Will Dowd
Jun 5, 2023
36
Share this post

STRAWBERRY MOON 2023

willdowd.substack.com
19
Share

Dear Lunatics,

The Strawberry Moon reached its peak fullness at 11:42 PM Eastern Standard Time two nights ago. My apologies for the lack of a dispatch. I’ve been battling Covid and have wanted to keep a respectful distance from the full moon, which absolutely refuses to mask up.

But not to worry, my avid moonviewers—the Strawberry Moon is still 98% full tonight, and ripe strawberries are sweeter anyway.

Speaking of strawberries, NASA has spent decades trying—and failing—to grow them in space. So far, the garden in the International Space Station has yielded a nightmarishly bland menu: radish, algae, Chinese cabbage, Russian kale, three types of lettuce, mustard plant, and dwarf wheat.

Yet NASA continues to dole out grants to would-be space gardeners with innovative schemes to cultivate berries in orbit.

The great strawberry push is about more than simply providing an antioxidant-rich treat to astronauts spending long stretches in the confines of an off-world capsule.

The strawberries are really about preventing these astronauts from going completely insane.

I will explain fully, with the aid of an eminent space psychologist, next month…

A female astronaut plucks green leaves from a vegetable tray in a cluttered corner of the International Space Station.
Astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor picks red Russian kale and dragoon lettuce for a Thanksgiving snack on the ISS. Nov. 28, 2018. Credits: ESA/Alexander Gerst

Stay safe and healthy out there!

—WD

Thanks for reading The Lunar Dispatch! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

36
Share this post

STRAWBERRY MOON 2023

willdowd.substack.com
19
Share
Previous
Next
19 Comments
Share this discussion

STRAWBERRY MOON 2023

willdowd.substack.com
Mike Sowden
Writes Everything Is Amazing
Jun 7Liked by Will Dowd

Aaarrgrh. So sorry to hear, Will! Yes, please rest rest rest, and we will all be here to pick up wherever you left off, for however long you need to get back on your feet.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
1 reply by Will Dowd
Daniel
Jun 6Liked by Will Dowd

“Speaking of strawberries, NASA has spent decades trying—and failing—to grow them in space.”

Curiously, the existence of this ongoing endeavor - bureaucratic and scientific; mundane and amazing - fills me with great hope for our republic.

Hoping the moonbeams bring you healing and a return to good health.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
1 reply by Will Dowd
17 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Will Dowd
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing