This is a time to celebrate together with family, and that means you! As all of us at EO59 are gathered together with our families around the world we have in our hearts the communities who’ve touched us this year. The countless families in Surfside, Florida devastated by loss. The families we’ve kept a silent eye on from orbit nearby critical infrastructure around the world. The scientists who sent us Christmas cards from nations far and wide, some with ideas on how to change the world scribbled in a post script.

There is no better moment than this, with snow falling all around us here in Estonia than this, to send you this note that we are together.

On the very small island of space based interferometry the phrase “fringe” developed it’s own meaning unknown the wider world - the colorful image created by bands of color representing deformation on the ground. If we suspend reality, a bit, you can almost see Christmas lights in these fringes and the scatter points they give rise to.

All of our global team wanted to share with you a piece of their Christmas moments. Enjoy the adventure together with us!

Lycksele in the far North of Sweden where today we are out snowmobiling between Christmas parties! There is also the tradition of Julmust, a soda like beverage which is a malt made with a citrus peel.

In Estonia, from Tallinn to Rapla, and now onto Pärnu we have the tradition of unique things such as visiting the cemetery to wish loved ones a Merry Christmas and placing a candle there amongst the snow. Did you know that in Estonia, not only are our InSAR artificial reflectors shining bright through the ice on Christmas - so too are the lights from what may have been the first decorated Christmas tree in the world! 🎄

In Italy, from Trieste to Milan and south to Lamezia traditions take us to Catholic mass, and home to a weeks long effort to produce the most delicious panettone cake there is! A beautiful country, birthplace to our SARProZ InSAR software, and full of Christmas surprises that include intricate nativity sets home made in each town!

When we arrive home, in America, we discover one of the most interesting Christmas variations between our European team and those in Virginia. In Europe Christmas is largely celebrated on the 24th, America’s Christmas Eve, while Stateside it is all about the 25th, Christmas Day. Even unique differences in Santa! In Estonia, Santa comes to your house - asks the children for a riddle, dance, or song all in return for a handful of gifts. This while America’s Santa arrives in the night to everyone’s surprise. Our American team celebrates with unique traditions as diverse as we are. From giving chocolate chip cookies and pies to the neighborhood to having a ‘pot-luck’ meal at church where everyone brings a dish. Christmas is a beautiful and varied as the day itself.

Thank you for being a part of our holiday, and sharing this moment with all of us from around the world. Christmas time is full of color on the fringes! Settle in, watch a movie, or ten… eat far, far too much, and love on yourself, and someone else too.

Merry Christmas from all of us in the EO59 families! 🎄