January 14, 2024
On a crystal clear morning back in September, I enjoyed my time observing Jupiter and studying Orion as the constellation raced ahead of the rising sun. Once the stars faded into the blue sky, I packed up the scope and headed inside to catch a few hours of weekend sleep.
The moment my head hit the pillow, my phone buzzed with an email from a publisher in Milan asking for information on an upcoming article from Essencional. Essencional is a working group of people established to promote the research and development of the artistic perfume industry.
In the email, the editor told me about a collection of fragrances developed by Sofia and Fabiola Bardelli, two sisters with a love of astronomy and perfumery. Their star-inspired line offers four perfumes named after Antares, Betelgeuse, Tristar, and Mismar. The editor asked for further information on these stars, so I was happy to share my knowledge. This was a pleasant coincidence because I’ve always been intrigued by the fragrance industry.
Through my correspondence with Fabiola, and reading about the company she and her sister founded, I’ve learned how these two entrepreneurs successfully launched their fragrance line amidst the pandemic. Their aim was to bring a sense of hope and brightness during such a dark and uncertain period. I relate to their story because I started this Garden Astronomer website during the same time for the same reasons.
Sofia’s and Fabiola’s love for stars grew as their father observed the night sky with them as children. It’s a poignant reminder for all of us who love astronomy to share our hobby with those we cherish, especially younger generations, so they may come to realize the beauty of the heavens. The firmament, with its stars, nebulas, and galaxies, is a gift given to all of us. All we need to do is look up.
To learn more about the Bardelli sisters and their line of fragrances, visit their site In Astra and read the Essencional article, “When Two Sisters Shoot for the Stars.“
The Garden Astronomer 
This is so beautifully written!! Thank you for sharing…..and I can confirm this blog has definitely put a ‘bright star’ spot in my life.
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