To Know a Starry Night

The night sky has been a collective canvas for stories, maps, traditions, beliefs, and discoveries for millennia. Until the last 100 years, the daily cycle of light to dark has remained the same. To Know a Starry Night explores the powerful experience of being outside under a natural starry sky and how many people don't know this experience. It helps us reconnect with the natural darkness of night, an experience that is fading from our lives due to artificial-light pollution.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: University of Nevada Press

Against a backdrop rich with purples, blues, and shades of black, a blaze of stars glittering across a vast empty sky sparks our curiosity about the past, driving us inevitably to ponder the future. For millennia, the night sky has been a collective canvas for our stories, maps, traditions, beliefs, and discoveries. Over the course of time, continents have formed and eroded, sea levels have risen and fallen, the chemistry of our atmosphere has changed, and yet the daily cycle of light to dark has remained pretty much the same. Until the last 100 years.

- Karen Trevino, from the foreword

No matter where we live, what language we speak, or what culture shapes our worldview, there is always the night. The darkness is a reminder of the ebb and flow, of an opportunity to recharge, of the movement of time. But how many of us have taken the time to truly know a starry night? To really know it.

Combining the lyrical writing of Paul Bogard with the stunning night-sky photography of Beau Rogers, To Know a Starry Night explores the powerful experience of being outside under a natural starry sky--how important it is to human life, and how so many people don't know this experience. As the night sky increasingly becomes flooded with artificial-light pollution, this poignant work helps us reconnect with the natural darkness of night, an experience that now, in our time, is fading from our lives.

The night sky has always held a special place in human culture, serving as a source of inspiration, awe, and wonder. For centuries, people have looked up at the stars and imagined the mysteries that lie beyond our planet. The night sky has been a tool for navigation, a marker of time, and a symbol of our place in the universe.

However, in recent years, the night sky has been threatened by the increasing amount of artificial light pollution. This pollution comes from a variety of sources, including streetlights, billboards, and even the glow of our electronic devices. The problem is that this artificial light disrupts the natural rhythms of the night, making it harder for us to see the stars and appreciate the beauty of the night sky.

One of the most significant impacts of artificial light pollution is the loss of visibility of the stars. The brighter the artificial light, the more it obscures the stars in the night sky. This makes it difficult for us to observe the stars and learn about their properties and behaviors. It also makes it harder for astronomers to conduct their research and study the universe.

In addition to the loss of visibility of the stars, artificial light pollution also has negative impacts on wildlife. Many animals rely on the night sky for navigation and communication, and the artificial light can confuse and disorient them. This can lead to habitat loss, decreased breeding success, and even death.

One of the most effective ways to address artificial light pollution is to reduce the amount of light that is emitted into the night sky. This can be done by installing dimmer switches on streetlights, using LED lights that emit less light, and turning off lights when they are not needed.

In addition, individuals can also take steps to reduce their own artificial light pollution. This can include turning off electronic devices when not in use, using blackout curtains to block out artificial light, and avoiding the use of bright flashlights when exploring the night sky.

Another way to address artificial light pollution is through education and awareness. Many people are not aware of the impacts of artificial light pollution on the night sky and the environment. By raising awareness about the issue, we can encourage people to take steps.

In conclusion, the night sky has always been a source of inspiration and wonder, but in recent years, it has been threatened by the increasing amount of artificial light pollution. This pollution has negative impacts on visibility of the stars, wildlife, and human health. By reducing the amount of light that is emitted into the night sky and taking steps to reduce our own artificial light pollution, we can help protect the night sky for future generations.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 235 x 273 x 3 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647790127