When we stare at the sky under the cover of darkness at night, we see virtually the same sky people have observed for thousands of years. The same night sky has inspired many mythologies, works of art, literature, and musical compositions from worldwide cultures. It is an infinite and limitless resource.
Before the widespread usage of electric lights, people had a far more robust connection to the night sky’s rhythms and marvels. The sky indicated the passage of time and the change of seasons. It symbolized order but was subject to change. The night sky has influenced the beliefs and customs of cultures throughout history, from the tales of ancient Greece to the celestially aligned structures of ancestral Puebloan cultures to agrarian harvest celebrations and maritime navigation records of sea journeys to faraway regions.
We continue to take inspiration from space and the night skies.
In many national parks, natural darkness is integral to the park’s heritage. In the same way, we conserve historic structures and landscapes as they appeared during a particular era; we also acknowledge the historical worth of the natural lightscape nighttime settings devoid of artificial light. We might image Teddy Roosevelt resting on his porch in his elder years, Aldo Leopold trekking beneath a full moon, Carl Sandburg writing poetry amongst natural beauty, and hardscrabble homesteaders seeking solace in the prairie sky after a long day by experiencing the night as it was in the past.
Today, cultural astronomy is still practiced and artwork about space is liked by people. When we spot out the North Star for our kids or take a scout group to sleep under the stars, we perpetuate the inherent human inclination to gaze beyond our globe. This is the human situation; we all want a little night and a starry sky to contemplate.
These are just a few nighttime practices that have taken place worldwide throughout history.
Pre-History, Man, and the Night
In the Bronze Age (31001300 B.C.E. ), farmers in Oman watered their crops at night to decrease evaporation, while in the Iron Age (2001900 C.E. ), metalworkers in Zimbabwe heated their forges at night to avoid the sun’s glare. Over 4,000 years ago, at the renowned archaeological site of Mohenjo-daro, the disposal of night dirt (human feces) was deemed best suited to darkness. For generations, Polynesian ancient sailors relied on the stars to guide them on their long trips home. The Vikings who lived in northern Europe throughout the Dark Ages lit the interiors of their pithouses with lamps made of fish oil, whale fat, and seal blubber. In the 19th-century Bahamas, enslaved people found temporary freedom in the darkness.
Today, the light from cities obscures the stars and produces a bright night sky that our forebears would not recognize. As we’ve researched the archaeology of the night, we’ve realized how much we’re losing by overlighting the planet.
Our contemporary nighttime imprint can be detected from outer space. As a result, we have “night mayors” in cities that never sleep, millions of people working night shifts, and health concerns related to the disappearance of the night as electrical illumination replaces the darkness. In addition, recent research reveals that circadian rhythms regulate 10 to 15% of our genes and that disruptions in these rhythms are associated with various medical conditions, including heart disease, sleeplessness, and depression. Some experts even propose that exposure to excessive evening lights may induce some malignancies.
Additionally, our overlit lives have societal consequences: Throughout our history, people gathered around campfires at night to tell tales and sing songs, similar to what many Westerners do now when they find the opportunity to go camping. However, with the introduction of electric light, we are no longer required to assemble; we are now free to pursue more solitary activities while immersed in our light sources.
Do You Like Stargazing?
At night, a new world comes to life and waits to be discovered. Bring your family or friends with you when you are stargazing at night, prepare for a cold night, and allow your eyes to adapt to the beauty overhead. Here are some suggestions for making your encounter unforgettable:
At Home
A night spent in your garden under the stars. Observe the movement of the stars and planets over the night sky.
Construct a red flashlight. Use red paper or cellophane to conceal a white flashlight. This will aid you with nighttime navigation without impairing your night vision!
Can you also see the stars with the porch light in your backyard? Try different light bulbs and light fixtures to view the stars more clearly. Warm, golden hues are pleasing to the eyes.
About Town
From a park or open field, locate the Big Dipper.
The last two stars in the Big Dipper’s cup point to the North Star, slightly fainter than the Big Dipper’s stars.
Participate in the following public “star party” hosted by your local astronomy group. There you will discover amateur astronomers sharing their telescopic sights.
Next time you are driving, pay great attention to the exterior lighting. Do some sparkle more than others in your eyes? Can you locate a light that shines just downward? Learn more about lighting that respects the night sky.
In a Forest
Observe the Milky Way as it traverses the night sky just like space artworks. What appears to be a faint mist is the light of many faraway stars. Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, is most visible in summer and fall evening sky.
If there is a full moon, it won’t be easy to view the Milky Way. So instead, try going on a night trek! Allow your eyes to adapt to the moonlight and turn off your flashlight (but available for safety if needed).
Inside of a National Park
Under the stars, camp. What better way to explore nature than camping in a national park beneath a starry sky?
National parks are excellent places to learn about nocturnal species, awake at night and asleep during the day. Be still and listen to these animals.
National parks provide night sky programs, such as telescope astronomy sessions and ranger-led full moon hikes. This list of parks is intended to provide a starting point for your search. Check with your park if you’re interested in night sky programs; other parks also offer these.
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