In the Land of Living Skies: Reacquainting ourselves with the night (2022)
3 days ago
- #light-pollution
- #nature
- #darkness
- The author recounts their obsession with early morning darkness while living in Regina, Saskatchewan, finding solace and creativity in the quiet hours before dawn.
- Regina's stark, crime-ridden environment contrasts with its breathtaking skies, described as 'monstrous, dazzling, everywhere,' which the author found mesmerizing.
- The article highlights the global issue of light pollution, with 83% of humans living under light-polluted skies, leading to ecological and health consequences.
- Darkness conservation efforts, such as dark-sky preserves, aim to protect natural night skies, with Canada's Grasslands National Park being one of the darkest places on Earth.
- The author travels to Grasslands to experience true darkness, reflecting on the cultural, spiritual, and scientific significance of the night sky.
- Historical perspectives on darkness reveal its dual nature—feared yet revered—from medieval curfews to Enlightenment-era streetlights.
- The modern world's overuse of artificial light symbolizes human dominance over nature, but darkness offers a return to mystery, introspection, and connection to the cosmos.
- The author's personal journey culminates in a night of stargazing at Grasslands, where the overwhelming brightness of the Milky Way contrasts with the profound darkness, evoking awe and existential reflection.