The Smallest Lights in the Universe

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Canadian MIT astrophysicist Sara Seager intertwines her quest for meaning after the loss of her first husband to cancer with her relentless search for an Earth-like exoplanet and her unexpected journey into new love. Devoted to exploring the cosmos for exoplanets, Seager's life shifted dramatically when her husband passed away, leaving her a widow at forty and a single mother to two young boys. As she grappled with grief, she clung to her husband's notes on everyday tasks, feeling the weight of her Asperger's more acutely than ever. In this candid memoir, Seager shares her navigation through profound loss while continuing her groundbreaking work, including the development of the Starshade, a device designed to block starlight and reveal distant planets. Amidst her scientific pursuits, she finds solace in the beauty of exoplanets and the connections with others, including the Widows of Concord, who provide support, and her sons, Max and Alex. Most unexpectedly, she discovers a deep connection with an amateur astronomer, illustrating the intertwining of cosmic wonder and human relationships. This memoir shines as a beacon of hope in the darkness of grief.