Gather around the campfire, fellow Star River navigators! In this episode, we sit down with Signe Mason, an Operations Specialist at the world-renowned Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico and an astrophysics researcher simulating black holes at Northwestern University for part 2 of her journey down the River.

I continue my conversation with Signe, from the outdoor patio at the Capital Bar and Grill in Socorro, complete with interruptions, sirens, and train horns. Now with more people! The editing on this one got a little wonky because I actually ended part 1 prior to our break, but it was a better place to split the conversatios. So in this "end of part 1 plus part 2,", we look at what made young Signe tick, why astrophysics was the farthest thing from her mind, and how she thinks that overcoming adversiy is what makes us thrive.

Don't forget to listen to part 1 of my conversation with Signe, where the River starts its journey, and the bar was quieter!

Grab a drink, join the current, and see where the river continues takes us.

• Dance: What does ballet have to do with running the receivers at the VLA?
• Perserverance: Did you know that overcoming crushing, emotional and physical defeat can make you a better person? Signe does.
• The Future: It won't be long after this episode airs that Signe starts the next chapter of her life. Find out what it will be.

Remember that the Deep-Sky Hotline is always open at 855-DEEP-SKY (855-333-7759) if you want to leave a question or share your own stargazing rituals. If you want to join the crew, unlock our private Discord channels, and claim one of the few remaining limited-edition Enchanted Frequencies mission stickers, head over to astropotamus.com/support.

Until the next bend in the River, clear skies, and I'll see you in the dark!