Godspeed Neil Armstrong

It's hitting everywhere. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the Moon, has passed away at age 82.

My heart goes out to his family, as anyone who loses a family member will be saddened.

Neil Armstrong will be remembered through history as the first man to walk on the moon. When Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, his achievement brought forth a real possibility to go further. But with Neil Armstrong's step, I think his epic voyage drove home the idea that what we merely dreamed in science fiction was actually possible. In truth, Neil has been the only person to trump Yuri and until we set foot someplace further away, they will hold their places solid as the first space pioneers.

Mr. Armstrong didn't just make history books however. While Yuri died early, Neil went on to encourage many children to seek the stars, both literally and metaphorically. I think it was the prospect of knowing someone really could set foot on some place as far off as the Moon encouraged my amateur study of astronomy. It also likely encouraged my father who loved looking at the moon. I remember late nights looking through a telescope to observe lunar landmasses.

For many of us who look forward to the future in the stars, you will be missed.

"That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." - Neil Armstrong, July 21, 1969

Godspeed to splash down, Neil Armstrong.