“Bootes is the Herdsman, the Sheppard. My pride is the venerable giant, Arcturus. But Arcturus, the brightest light in the northern sky, that quiet elegance, is my sadness as well. For as this giant, some 20 million miles in diameter with luminosity more than one hundred times that of your own sun, soars through space at 90 miles a second…and will soon be leaving us. Arcturus, my alpha star, is one of the prominent few stars to reside high above our galactic plane.

A mere two million years ago Arcturus was some 800 million light years from Earth. Now, he is only 37 light years distant. But soon, as the time for his Milky Way visit draws to a close, Arcturus will leave us in this galaxy forever, bound for regions toward the constellation Vela in your southern hemisphere.

We will miss his soft brilliance, his dignity. But for many springs and summers yet to come, if you are lonesome or alone, look up. Gaze upon and enjoy the glow of this guardian of the bear while you may. In half a million years, you shall see his splendor no more. But for now, we wait for you and shall be your companions in the night. And you will never be alone.”

Karl felt sad…but somehow no sadder than when he first beheld Bootes in the summer sky that cool night. Distances seemed to be of little consequence. But now, he knew, he would never feel lonesome or alone again. He had but to seek out Bootes in the quiet darkness of the spring and summer skies. And enjoy the warmth and powerful dignity of Arcturus while he could.