Q3. EDITING: (4) (a)For the ardent sky gazer, (b)Especially members in astronomy clubs, (c)Here was a chance for you (d)And others in check in the Stars in the dark skies on Friday night . *
Answers
Explanation:
The recently released book "Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism" lists sites around the world where people can see the stars without light pollution.
Here & Now's Jeremy Hobson speaks with author Valerie Stimac (@Valerie_Valise).
Book Excerpt: "Dark Skies"
By Valerie Stimac
Introduction
When the cloudy expanse of the Milky Way stretches above us from horizon to horizon, or a meteor streaks across the sky, or a rocket defies gravity to leave earth, it touches on a sense of wonder and awe. There is something breathtaking and humbling about the knowledge that beyond the protective layer of our atmosphere, there is a lot more out there. The universe is vast almost beyond comprehension: while technology helps increase our knowledge of moons, planets, and suns, we can hardly imagine how many other places there are in our solar system, galaxy, and the universe once you leave planet earth.
The natural world on earth never ceases to amaze us; we make pilgrimages to Everest, Niagara, the Amazon, and countless other awe-inspiring sites on our bucket list. But somehow, the night sky is often omitted from the list of natural experiences we should seek out. Yet its magnificence can be even more overwhelming than terrestrial wonders. For millions of years, the stars have wheeled overhead, and the planets have performed their celestial dance. Observing this pageant used to be a nightly ritual for humans across the planet each night until very recently. But while we often book trips to explore new cities and try new foods, we rarely do the same for astronomical phenomena and space experiences. We may have gone stargazing as a kid or learned about astronomy in school, but we don’t journey to discover it first-hand. Yet according to a 2016 atlas by the Light Pollution Science and Technology Institute, 99% of the populations of Europe and the US no longer have access to the night sky due to light pollution. In not seeking out encounters with astronomical phenomena, whether at the certified dark sky parks listed in this book or by viewing a meteor shower or eclipse, we deprive ourselves of a magical experience.
What drives our collective interest in the night sky? It’s likely the case that the roots of astronomy lay deep in the prehistoric era, among the first homo sapiens who became aware that the movements of the sun, moon, and stars were not random. In an attempt to find significance among these patterns, religious beliefs were established to help make sense of the natural phenomena. These religious beliefs remain closely tied to astronomy to this day, as reflected by practice of astrology (the idea that the movement and placement of stars and planets have a direct impact on our daily lives).
Author Valerie Stimac (Courtesy of Stimac)
more modern interpretation might also say that though we did not always know with scientific certainty that there was ‘more’ beyond earth, our human nature to explore and colonize drives us to look toward the stars. In the 21st century, it’s likely that our efforts and investment will take us to other planets in our solar system at the very least. While we have spent centuries learning about the night sky, our time exploring it has only just begun.
The most easily accessible way to enjoy the night sky is by stargazing, looking up at the constellations and planets visible either with the naked eye or through a telescope. Astronomy dates back nearly 5,000 years, to the Bronze Age. While there aren’t many records from this time, archaeoastronomers have discovered evidence and relics that suggest that from among the earliest periods in human history, we were attentive to the night sky and attempted to record the patterns observed there. Nearly every major civilization at one time was involved in the study of astronomy. Major sites testifying to the astronomical knowledge of earlier cultures remain in the Yucatan, at Uxmal and Chichen Itza; at Chaco Canyon; and at the pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, and more.
Early contributions by civilizations like the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Indians are still used in astronomy today. Over the centuries, the amalgamation of work by Chinese, Islamic, Egyptian, and European astronomers helped solidify astronomy into a scientific field in its own right. During the medieval era, astronomy was advanced significantly by the work of Islamic astronomers. While astronomy was actively practiced in Asia, Islamic astronomers helped with the translation from ancient Greek to Latin of fundamental astronomy texts by thinkers including Aristotle, Euclid and Ptolemy. As a result European astronomers were able to recommit to the science of astronomy that was at risk of being lost. Islamic astronomers also created some of the most accurate calendars, predictive models, and recorded observations of astronomical phenomena in human history.