Publish Date: Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The August issue of Astronomy magazine hits the newsstands today, and it includes an interesting article by a new freelance writer named Ayla Besemer. That’s right: Our own Ayla is a published author, and she couldn’t be more excited!
The article is titled, Why Teens Should Care About Astronomy, and Ayla was inspired to write it when she realized many of her peers did not share her passion for the stars. Ayla has always been naturally interested in astronomy, and that interest has blossomed during our nautical travels. I suppose this was inevitable when we so often find ourselves in remote anchorages on moonless nights: the stargazing is pretty incredible! After reading an earlier article in Astronomy about teens’ lack of interest in astronomy in the digital age, she sent an e-mail to the editor with some suggestions. One thing led to another, and soon Ayla was signing her first writing contract.
While we can’t reprint the article here, you can peek inside the current issue on the Astronomy web site. There is also a nice video preview of the issue presented by editor David Eicher. If you’re tempted to buy the magazine, you can usually find Astronomy at Border’s, Barnes & Noble, or other well-stocked newsstands. If you read the article, please send Ayla a note telling her what you thought — as a young, aspiring, freelance writer, she will appreciate feedback from her audience. 🙂
Well done, Ayla! We’re very proud of you and your accomplishment!
Congratulations! That’s a great accomplishment!
Can’t wait to read it.
Wow what an accomplishment congrats!
I will be looking for the issue, however, in the mean time a little birdie told me that you are coming to HI soon and if you could tuck a copy into your luggage I would love to read it.
Ayla, I just saw the video preview of Astronomy. I cannot wait to read the article and share it with my students!
Ayla!
You Rock! Or should we say…you are a STAR!
Congratulations.
I expect no less from Ayla! Impressive, none the less! 🙂
Congratulations Ayla! How fantastic! So proud of you!!!:)
What’s that in Ayla’s hands? Is that part of the generator fuel filter? Tell me David doesn’t have her working in the engine room now!
I hear Sandridge rigged up a GPS and a mirror so he could shoot the stars.
Amazing accomplishment, Ayla! We can’t wait to get a copy and read it. Congratulations!!! (And enjoy Harry Potter next week.)
Dick Costigan, that part she is holding is a sextant, which is used for navigation by the stars. It was explained better in a previous blog if you would like to look it up. Congrats! And I can’t wait to read it and will be passing it along to my best friends wife. She is a school teacher that grew up in Marine City. Ayla you are a STAR!
I loved your presentation at The Readers Cove, Harsens Island, Michigan. I really enjoyed my conversation with you today and look forward to reading more of your writings. Enjoy your travels and come back to The Readers Cove next summer and share with us more about your exciting life! God Bless and tell the sea hi from me! Linda
Hi Ayla, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your inspirational article in Astronomy magazine. I also had my 13 year old son and his cousin (she is your age) read the article and they liked it too. It was wonderful to see a teen explaining the importance of intellectual curiosity. Keep up the good work! If today’s teens heard ideas like yours more often the world would be a better place! Best wishes for success in all your astronomical and academic endeavors.
David Proctor
Besemer Family,
Just read Ayla’s article in Astronomy and really enjoyed it. As an amateur astronomer I share her interest in observing the heavens. Probably not as easy for me under the light polluted skies of Long Island, as it is for you folks from your ship but I enjoy it tremendously.
This is the first I’ve heard of your great adventure. You are all truly brave souls to be doing this. I applaud you all for living your dream. I’ve spent the past hour looking at your website and will continue to follow your adventures. If you find yourselves on Long Island and you want to look through a telescope I’d be happy to oblige.
Good luck,
Tom Lynch
I enjoyed Ayla’s article in the August issue of Astronomy magazine. It was very well written and very inspiring. Way to go! If there are more teenagers like Ayla around (and I know quite a few), I won’t mind handing our country over to them. Is there any chance Ayla could write something to inspire Congress?
Roger Young
Ayla,
You are a rather amazing young lady. I have met “cruising kids” all over the world and they share a common thread, wise and confident beyond their years. In your lifetime I’m certain you will continue to make positive contributions to mankind and mother Earth.
Bob