AUTHOR’S CORNER

Lyrical Galaxies

Is music science or art? Or perhaps both?

One thing is certain: observing the universe inspires many composers, lyricists, and poets. Most of the songs we will hear in an August music event contain references from constellations, planets, and distant galaxies. The celestial harmony of the universe, the summer sky with our closest star, the Sun, as well as the farthest parts of the Universe, such as the Last Thule and the quasar galaxies, have always been a lure for humans in their attempt to understand the earthly while also escaping it.

Recently, Greek Women in STEM had the pleasure to attend in-person the scientific show “Children of the stars”. This was organized by the astrophysicist Pavlos Kastanas, known from his YouTube channel “Astronio” and the musician Yiannis Roussos from “Science Behind music”. The show aimed at providing the ultimate experienced of a perfect wedding between music and astrophysics.

So, with vivid the memory of the summer sky, here we quote some excerpts taken from Greek songs or shall we say masterpieces?

Song: Nihteri (Night)

Lyrics-Music: Thanasis Papakonstantinou

…

Between Vega

Deneb and Altair

there is a place in heaven.

…

* The triage of stars of Vega, Deneb and Altair form the distinct, in summer months, “summer triangle”.

Song: Marea

Lyrics: Nikos Kavvadias

Performed by: Christos Thivaios, Music: Thanos Mikroutsikos

* Marea is the periodic rise and fall of water.

Song: Andromeda

Lyrics-Music: Thanasis Papakonstantinou

*Andromeda is the closest and most visible to the naked eye, spiral galaxy.

Song: Over the years

Lyrics-Music: Thanasis Papakonstantinou

…

It’s like sending a signal waiting for compassion. It may reach the Farthest Thule over the years

…

* The Last Thule, named after NASA, “2014 MU 69” is the farthest point a spacecraft has reached our solar system.

Song: Perseids

Lyrics-Music: Miltos Paschalidis

* The Perseids are a rain of meteor stars, or falling stars as they are commonly known in tradition. The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift–Tuttle. The meteors are called the Perseids because the point from which they appear to hail (called the radiant) lies in the constellation Perseus.

Song: Morning star

Lyrics-Music: Thanasis Papakonstantinou

Dull star of the morning

we see you siming

and as you come you shine,

your light grows stronger,

morning star!

Song: All the stars of the sky

Lyrics-Music: Giannis Aggelakas

…

All the stars in the sky are lost loves

They shine and remind us