As the solstice approaches, Dennis Overbye, the esteemed “cosmic affairs correspondent” for The New York Times, bids farewell to a captivating career that has taken him from the depths of particle colliders to the heights of mountain observatories. Overbye reflects on his time reporting on the cosmos, highlighting the awe and mystery that has enveloped him throughout his journey. Amidst tales of discoveries like black holes and the Higgs boson, he acknowledges the ongoing enigma of dark matter and dark energy that continues to puzzle scientists. Although he is stepping down, Overbye assures readers that his passion for the cosmos will endure as he prepares to share his insights in a forthcoming book, blending personal narrative with the vastness of the universe.