Max Von Sama’s Journey to Kepler started in April 2014, when NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope found the first Earth-size planet orbiting a star in the “habitable zone”, the range of distances where liquid water might pool on a planet’s surface. The discovery of Kepler-186f confirmed that Earth-size planets exist in the habitable zones of stars other than our sun. (Read the NASA article.)
Within a few days, Max had packed her things and left Earth on board the photon-fueled Sama Airship, to explore time and space across the Many Worlds, investigating the Fermi Paradox with the Antikythera mechanism.
I use the #Antikythera mechanism to travel, a mysterious #Retrofuturist #Steampunk device!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 26, 2015
She traveled for months, and crossed paths with beautiful galaxies and dangerous black holes.
How to start a day! An anomaly happened, the Sama Airship has gone into safe mode… Was it because of the nearby black hole? #JourneytoKepler
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 11, 2015
Even when she avoided black holes, radiation was never far away.
Yesterday we approached too close to a micro #blackhole and #Hawking radiation interfered with my communication… So here’s my late #FF!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 18, 2015
Despite her hope and optimism, she had to face the facts: the Fermi Paradox held.
Since I started my #JourneytoKepler, I’ve never seen anyone… Even though I feel observed. Fermi Paradox at its best!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 9, 2015
In short: a universe this large should be full of intelligent life, and yet we have never found a trace of it anywhere but on Earth.
I often mention the #FermiParadox; Prof. Robert Scherrer explains why #aliens didn’t contact us yet! @ConversationUK
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · August 8, 2015
Then, in July 2015, came a great announcement, led by the even greater Stephen Hawking: the Breakthrough Listen initiative, unveiled on Monday, July 20, 2015, during a webcast from the Royal Society in London. (Read the article.)
As an explorer of the #FermiParadox, I support this $100 million #breakthroughinitiative. #Arewealone? Surely not!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 20, 2015
Very exciting news. Because even if Max had not met anything or anyone (yet), she often had the feeling she was being watched.
Since I entered the Cygnus Constellation, the more I’m getting close to #Kepler-186f, the more I feel like someone is watching us… #Journal
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 7, 2015
With Kepler-186f finally in sight, she couldn’t miss Asteroid Day, and celebrated it from outer space.
Hey! I’ve almost reached Kepler 186F! Took me some time…Today is #AsteroidDay on Earth, couldn’t miss it!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · June 30, 2015
But space travel has its ups and downs, and machinery doesn’t always work as expected. Fortunately, nothing serious has happened so far.
The Sama Airship had a problem today, the system rebooted twice. Everything’s working fine now. Kepler-186f should be in sight by tomorrow!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 3, 2015
On July 14, NASA’s New Horizons probe flew past Pluto and sent back the first close-up images of a world that had stayed a blur since its discovery in 1930. (Read more.)
Over 9 years and 3 billion miles: @NASANewHorizons probe completed its #PlutoFlyby! Watching @NASA briefing now!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 14, 2015
The flyby inspired many people: the briefing quoted Star Trek, and one artist turned Pluto into the Death Star from Star Wars. Awesome!
On #PlutoFlyby, a quote from #StarTrek: @NASANewHorizons’ mission is ‘to boldly go where no man has gone before’. When reality meets #Scifi…
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 15, 2015
I know, #Pluto images are everywhere now but this one made by @Kenetor made my day. #DeathStar #StarWars
Max Dana (@MaxDana) · July 15, 2015
A few days later, as if the universe had not given enough surprises, NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope announced Kepler-452b: a planet slightly larger than Earth, orbiting a star much like our sun at a similar distance. (Read more.)
It’s great: @NASAKepler will host a media teleconference on Thursday at noon to announce latest #Kepler discoveries!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · July 21, 2015
Needless to say, the news of Kepler-452b was huge for Max. Communications were good, and she was able to watch the hangout.
Watching #Kepler 452b Hangout with @SETIInstitute scientists hosted by @SethShostak. Captivating! #NASABeyond
Max Dana (@MaxDana) · July 23, 2015
Pluto, Kepler-452b… and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter celebrated ten years in space. NASA even released files to 3D-print your very own Curiosity rover.
To celebrate @NASA #Mars reconnaissance #Orbiter 10th anniversary, get 3D printable files for tiny #Curiosity rover!
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · August 17, 2015
Speaking of reconnaissance, as she drew closer to Kepler-186f, Max noticed something strange.
I noticed there is like a cloudy magnetic field surrounding #Kepler-186f… Is it meant to prevent anyone to come too close?! #JourneytoKepler
Max Von Sama (@MaxVonSama) · August 18, 2015
Epilogue. The magnetic field never lifted. The Sama Airship turned back toward the inner solar system, and the journey continued by way of Mars. Today, Max Von Sama is somewhere between Mars and the Moon. Her latest transmissions are on X, @MaxVonSama.