Dear Magicians,

When I took my family to the UK last month, I didn’t expect it to be such a transformative experience. We visited three iconic sites: Stonehenge, Jodrell Bank, and the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh (near James Clerk Maxwell’s birthplace). These places, separated by 5,000 years, are temples of astronomical curiosity—one ancient, the other two modern. I wanted to connect them through a theme of human curiosity, the thread that unites us across millennia.

Stonehenge: A Monument to Ancient Ambition

Stonehenge is awe-inspiring, but I’ll admit, I was disappointed. I expected to be able to touch the stones, to feel their weight and history. To connect viscerally, tactilely. Instead, we were kept hundreds of feet away, and even drones are forbidden (luckily I brought my 20’ long selfie stick!). I understand the need for preservation, but I couldn’t help but feel a disconnect. The stones, massive as they are, felt distant, removed more by space than time ironically.

What struck me more were the surrounding mounds—huge earthworks that likely took as much effort to construct as the stones themselves. These mounds, often overlooked, are a testament to the ingenuity and determination of ancient people. They remind us that Stonehenge wasn’t just about the stones; it was about the community, the labor, and the shared vision of something greater.

Jodrell Bank: A Modern Marvel of Curiosity

In contrast, Jodrell Bank felt alive. This modern observatory, home to the Lovell Telescope, and the headquarters of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory – is a symbol of humanity’s relentless pursuit of knowledge. Built on speculation and hope, it was a gamble that paid off. The telescope tracked Sputnik, supported the Apollo missions, and now plays a key role in the SKA project—a global effort building the world’s largest radio telescope.

Visiting Jodrell Bank with my kids was emotional. I got to show them a slice of my life, usually hidden behind laboratory walls. We took a behind-the-scenes tour with leading scientists, explored the gift shop, and even picked up space-themed snacks. It was a moment of pride, a reminder that I want to do more of these adventure travels—experiences that blend academia with exploration.

The Thread of Curiosity

The connection between Stonehenge and Jodrell Bank is curiosity. Both projects were ambitious, pushing the boundaries of what was possible at the time. Stonehenge’s builders likely sought to understand the cosmos, aligning the stones with celestial events. Jodrell Bank’s creators aimed to listen to the universe, to decode its signals.

Both projects also required a surrender of agency to something greater—whether it was the gods or the mysteries of the universe. They remind us that curiosity is a driving force, one that transcends time and technology.

A Father’s Perspective

As a father, I couldn’t help but think about the future. What will a father visiting these sites 5,000 years from now have to say? Will humanity even make it that long? How many generations can we truly care about? Do you know the names of your eight great-great-grandparents?

These questions weigh on me. I want my children to feel connected to this legacy of curiosity, to see themselves as part of a larger story. That’s why I took them to James Clerk Maxwell’s birthplace and the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh. I wanted them to meet my heroes—people like Maxwell, who laid the foundations for the very radio waves detected at Jodrell Bank, and the unknown builders of Stonehenge, who dared to dream big.

The Stone Cold Silence of Space

Stonehenge and Jodrell Bank also made me think about the silence of space. The stones of Stonehenge stand as a testament to human ingenuity, but they are silent. So too is the interstellar voyager, 3I/ATLAS, floating through the void. These silent stones—whether on Earth or in space—remind us of the vastness of the universe and the limits of our understanding.

Yet, it’s this silence that drives us. It’s the gaps in our knowledge that fuel our curiosity. We project meaning onto these structures, whether it’s the alignment of Stonehenge or the signals received by Jodrell Bank. But perhaps the real meaning lies in the act of seeking itself.

Next Stones on the Path

Our journey connected us to the past and propels us into the future. Whether it’s the ancient builders of Stonehenge or the modern scientists at Jodrell Bank, we are all driven by the same desire to understand the universe and our place in it.

As I look to the future, I hope to take my family to Chile, to show them the Simons Observatory—a project I’ve worked on for the past decade. I want them to see their father’s work in its actual habitat, to feel the same sense of pride and connection I felt at Jodrell Bank.

In the end, it’s not just about the stones or the telescopes. It’s about the connections between us all… and the legacy we leave behind.

Speaking of Rocks and Space: Tonight is the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower! Get more info on how to view it here.​

Until next time, have a M.A.G.I.C. Week,

Brian