Idea found, smoothing the rope

Happy to say the idea that seemed to have been obliterated by the stress of an intense heat wave, has resurfaced. Yes, thoughts are a part of meditation, and sometimes they can be creative thoughts. The idea is about setting the stage on Earth for my star Star, the guiding light for this story. Because I live in the northern hemisphere, I normally see this star during the winter, ergo my idea that Alexa should arrive back to Earth during the winter. Of course, that implies she lands in the northern hemisphere, which doesn't necessarily need to be the case. So, some research is in order. Even some science, light as it may be, to justify the notion that this is a science fiction story. Where on Earth is this star visible, at what times of the year? And how does this info best serve the story? I will begin with an Internet search. But may need to contact some astronomy source, as I did while visiting Austin, Texas, two years ago. Since I was an undergraduate student at this fine school, and thoroughly enjoyed my astronomy courses there (one course even consisted of studying astronomy via science fiction books!), I knew I could get the answer I needed there. And that's how I began with this particular star. The aim of this idea for the story is to weave into the rope this strand-- again and again. The books I've loved consisted of a smooth rope of ideas, every strand with a reason and present from beginning to end. No straggling, dangling concepts. This is my goal, and my challenge.