What The Sun Looks Like From Space

I sat across the dinner table from a man who had been on the moon, and I was racking my brain, trying to come up with something to ask him. 

Charlie Duke, one of the men who set foot on the moon as part of the Apollo 16 mission, was speaking at my dad’s charity event. I was there to set up speakers and run sound. But luckily, since my dad was putting this on, I got to sit next to him, at a table with Charlie Duke. 

“What does the sun look like from outer space?” I finally blurted out. 

“It’s bright!” Charlie Duke responded.

He picked up conversation with the person sitting next to him. I didn’t get to ask another question.

Thinking about this now, I’m realizing my mistake. Instead of asking “what” or “when” or “who,” (which are facts questions), we should ask “how” and “why,” (which are insight questions).

“How did you reconcile the weight the American public put on you after returning from your mission?” 

“Why do you think your wife was willing to go on this journey with you, even after your status put so much pressure on her?”

If I could go back, I would ask a question like that. But at least now I know that the sun is bright from space.