Mr Rishikesh Jaiswal

How I developed an Interest in Astronomy?

As I look up at the night sky, I can’t help but think about the journey that led me to my passion for astronomy.

It all started when I was a child, asking endless questions out of pure curiosity. I recall pestering my father with whimsical queries, such as "How long would an ant take to circle the moon?" – A testament to my naivety about the moon's enormity.

The stars had always fascinated me, but one moment stands out. During a power outage, I stepped onto the rooftop and saw the night sky in all its clarity. That view left an impression on me. Around the same time, I found myself drawn to science books, especially the sections that explained the difference between stars and planets. My growing interest even helped me score high in a 1995 geography test that included astronomy questions.

But what truly deepened my love for space was an unexpected experience with virtual reality. While visiting a mall, I tried an Oculus Rift demo called "Deep Space VR." The experience was unlike anything I had ever felt before. I bought my own VR headset to experience the magic again.

As I explored more about space, I came across a video promoting Flat Earth theories. It was surprisingly convincing at first, and I found myself questioning what I knew. But instead of blindly accepting the claims, I decided to investigate for myself. That’s when I bought my first telescope - Celestron PowerSeeker 50Az. One of the claims, that the moon emits its own light, was disproven when I observed the shadows within moon craters – a phenomenon impossible if the moon were self-luminescent.

That moment changed everything. I moved away from pseudoscience and focused on real space exploration. Over the years, I studied astronomy intensely, gathering knowledge and refining my understanding. Eventually, I felt the need to share what I had learned in a way that was easy for others to understand. That’s how the idea of writing a book was born.

In 2017, I started working on Deep Space Exploration. It became more than just a book—it was a reflection of my journey. Now, after years of effort, the book is finally complete and set for release in 2025.

Looking back, I realize that curiosity is what led me here. The universe has a way of pulling us in, making us ask questions, and pushing us to explore beyond what we know. And for me, that curiosity turned into a lifelong passion.

i'm just an Astrophile

Rishikesh Jaiswal

(Astronomy Enthusiast, Astrophotographer, Author & Creator)