Born in 1917, Egyptian physicist Sameera Moussa studied radioactive isotopes used to create medical images. Her work “laid the groundwork for a revolution in the affordability & safety of nuclear medicine.”

Concerned about the potential use of nuclear weapons during WWII, Moussa organized the Atomic Energy for Peace conference.

She was likely assassinated at age 35 in a case that remains unsolved. https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/the-strange-tragic-story-of-egypts-foremost-female-nuclear-scientist/ #science #history

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”

- Isaac Asimov

When I was a child in the 80s, the night sky was filled with stars. And those stars inspired us to imagine other worlds & ask really big questions.

Decades later, the night sky looks like a much lonelier place. Light pollution is increasing & I fear we may lose the ability to be awed by looking up & recognizing our place in the universe.

I don’t know about others, but I sure miss the stars. Image: Luke Stackpoole via Unsplash