For me, the night is a period of time. It has a distinct feel to it, but it's a place I pass through, not a part of who I am.

But what if the night was like a planet with just the right atmosphere so you could breathe?

What if it was your muse or your soulmate? You're listening to nocturne. I'm Vanessa Lowe.

Here's what a good night is to me.

Fall asleep easily. sleep soundly.

Don't wake up in the middle of the night worrying about stupid things that don't bother me during the day.

No freaky dreams. Wake up well rested.

So if at all possible, in the wee hours of the night, I'm gone.

Other people are up having a whole life, having their most dazzling thoughts,

their meals, their daily tasks.

Amanda Gefter is almost 100% living her life in the moments when I hope to be

unconscious.

For me, settling down into the night means letting go.

This is where Amanda begins her day.

My name's Amanda Gefter, and I am a science writer.

I write about theoretical physics usually in cosmology.

I'm not embarrassed to admit that I wasn't sure

what cosmology was.

It's the science of the origin and development of the universe.

And I write for magazines like New Scientist

and Nautilus and Nature, and then I write books as well. I have a book out called

Trespassing on Einstein's Lawn. Trespassing on Einstein's Lawn was

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