I think music is about our internal life. It's part of the way people touch each other. That's very precious to me. And astronomy is, in a sense, the very opposite thing. Instead of looking inwards, you are looking out, to things beyond our grasp.

I think anger and laughter are very close to each other, when you think about it.

The music itself is very challenging, so I've never really felt the lack of stimulation. I love to be creating; I love to be making things and solving problems, I suppose, and when I'm not, then I'm not an incredibly good person to be around. If I'm not busy, then I think I would be disaster. That's just the way things are.

Astronomy's much more fun when you're not an astronomer.

I think I'm very conscientious of how precious life is and how quickly life can be taken away from you, especially at times when it can be least expected.

I think I'm very curious about other people. I like to sit and eavesdrop, you know.