Astronomical time can help us put lockdown into perspective

Field notes from space-time | The coronavirus pandemic is making life feel slower than ever, but observing timescales across the universe can bring us some comfort, writes Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Science Photo Library/Alamy

I DON’T know about you, but for me, every week of 2020 has felt extremely long, especially since the coronavirus pandemic has gotten under way.

As I am not an essential worker, I am currently spending most of my time at home. I try to focus on my work on both science and the philosophy of science, but then I inevitably check the news. Each update seems to make the week drag on for longer and longer.

The reel of bad news may feel like it is never-ending, but one of the ways that I have tried …