Magic lit skies As the golden sun sets beneath the horizon, a spectacle of color and light begins to unfold in the evening sky. The once blue canvas transforms into a breathtaking display of vibrant hues, creating a magical atmosphere that captivates all who behold it. Such a sight is no less than a celestial masterpiece, as if the heavens themselves are putting on a show for humanity. At the onset, streaks of orange and pink adorn the sky, blending seamlessly with the remaining daylight. These warm tones create a sense of tranquility, casting a soothing spell on the world below. The entire landscape seems to bask in the gentle glow, as if immersed in a dreamlike state where time stands still.
He later shared that footage to Reddit and said the experience left him "mesmerized and nervous as heck," Newsweek reported. "This was one of the strongest [geomagnetic storms] in years," he said.
Shortly after midnight on March 24, however, the storm hit G4 a level that can cause widespread voltage control problems, orientation problems for spacecraft operations and navigation issues. The website also has a link to a downloadable handout that property owners can use to learn about the Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting agreed on by the International Dark Sky Association darksky.
The entire landscape seems to bask in the gentle glow, as if immersed in a dreamlike state where time stands still. As twilight deepens, the colors become more intense, as though nature itself is unleashing its hidden powers. The sky turns into a vast canvas, with strokes of purples and blues adding depth and mystery to the spectacle.
Magic of Dark Skies
My first summer on Nantucket, in 1998 as a Maria Mitchell Association intern, was a magical experience for many reasons. Not the least of which was my first time to the beach at night. I will never forget the excitement of riding my bike in the dark with the other interns to catch a glimpse of the Perseid Meteor Shower one August summer night. Before I even saw one shooting star, I remember the awe-inspiring moment of looking up and seeing a sky full of bright twinkly stars. In a place like Nantucket, on this tiny island in the sea, the sky seems to go on forever into the ocean. Forget the sunsets that people “oooh and awe” about. The night sky of Nantucket is where the real show is!
Photo By Tom Griswold Yesterday’s Island Photo Contest entry
People often remark that the island seems to have more stars than anywhere else. In reality, you can often see more stars and planets here than anywhere else. And have you ever seen the Milky Way from the beach or from the top of Altar Rock? Its a sight not soon forgotten. The reason for all of this celestial magic? Dark skies. Nantuckets isolation, vast amounts of undeveloped open space, and historic restrictions have made it an ideal sport for those seeking dark skies.
In recent years, however, dark skies are diminishing as we see a rise in light pollution locally. Primarily, light pollution has been seen in cities and towns where street lights, neon signs, and other bright lights blur the dark skies. That may have seemed like something far away from Nantucket, 30 miles out to sea, but now light pollution on Nantucket has increased 2.4% each year since 2012 (according to satellite data). That means that there is about 22% more light pol- lution today than just nine years ago.
A new citizen advocacy group called Nantucket Lights aims to do something about that. With a diverse steering committee that includes year-round as well as seasonal residents, its mission is to preserve and protect Nantuckets nighttime environment and heritage of dark skies by raising awareness about light pollution on the island and advocating for environmentally responsible outdoor lighting.
Photo by Jonah Elkowitz Yesterday’s Island Photo Contest Entry
Its recently launched website — nantucketlights.org — is intended to serve as a resource for the community. It includes information about light pollution specific to the island, including information about Nantucket’s Outdoor Lighting Bylaw. Adopted in 2005, that bylaw contains a number of provisions to help preserve Nantucket’s dark skies that Nantucket Lights suspects many property owners aren’t aware of.
“Call me an optimist, but I truly believe that if there were more awareness about the harm of light pollution and how easy it is to switch to outdoor lighting that is darksky friendly we will be able to preserve our starry nights, which is one of the things that makes Nantucket so special,” says the founder of Nantucket Lights Gail Walker.
The website also has a link to a downloadable handout that property owners can use to learn about the “Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting” agreed on by the International Dark Sky Association ( darksky.org ) and the Illuminating Engineering Society.
Using an interactive light pollution map ( lightpollutionmap.info ) you can check out where on island has the highest amount of light pollution. Not surprisingly, currently the Nan- tucket airport and the area around the schools as well as downtown have the highest rates of light.
So why should we care about dark skies? It’s more than just the beauty and magic of the full view of the night sky. The Maria Mitchell Association (MMA) is one of the organizations that have signed on as a Nantucket Lights supporter. The MMA astronomy program produces nationally recognized astronomy research from our tiny island, educating the next generation of astrophysicists and astronomy educators in the process. “Nantucket’s dark skies are one of its most precious natural resources. Every summer, I hear the excited exclamations of hundreds of visitors who come out to a public Open Night at the Maria Mitchell’s Loines Observatory and see the Milky Way for the first time in their lives. This unique experience wouldn’t be possible without the concerted, island-wide efforts to preserve our dark skies,” said Dr. Regina Jorgenson, Maria Mitchell Asssociation Director of Astronomy.
Light pollution has also been shown to greatly affect wildlife. All animals, in- cluding humans, need darkness at night to thrive. Many animals eat, mate, and/or migrate at night. These patterns can be disrupted harming populations. In addition to disrupting circadian rhythms, excessive artificial light at night can also disorient birds during migration. Studies have shown that some bird species will cluster around brightly lit structures, much like insects flying around a porch light at night.
Photo by Bill Hoenk Photography
Sea turtle hatchlings, migrating insects, amphibian calls, and even coral reefs are affected by light pollution. Excessive light at night has also been shown to interfere with fireflies who use visual light cues (as well as pheromones) during mating season. More lights equal fewer fireflies.
As development increases around the island, so do concerns about furthering the light pollution issue. “I see this as one more thing that people need to be ed- ucated on to either put lights on timers, or motion sensors, use lighting with lower emissions, or just shut them off entirely, “says Danielle O’Dell, Nantucket Lights steering committee member. “We all have to really start implementing changes to our habits to lessen our impact on the planet. Every little change counts.”
One item of upcoming concern for Nantucket Lights is balancing the need for efficient energy consumption and dark skies. If the streetlights on Nantucket are converted to LED to save energy and cut the Town’s electricity costs, will they be dark-sky friendly? Nantucket Lights hopes to be an advocacy group to help ensure that best practices are followed.
Nantucket Lights, which is entirely non-profit and volunteer-run, hopes many more like-minded people will join them to show their support for its mis- sion and help it achieve its goals. For more information about joining this initiative, how to make sure your home and business is dark-sky friendly, and other ways to help, go to nantucketlights.org.
Right now, there are still places free of light pollution on-island. Working together, educating ourselves and each other about light pollution, and changing our everyday habits will help ensure our dark future.
As development increases around the island, so do concerns about furthering the light pollution issue. “I see this as one more thing that people need to be ed- ucated on to either put lights on timers, or motion sensors, use lighting with lower emissions, or just shut them off entirely, “says Danielle O’Dell, Nantucket Lights steering committee member. “We all have to really start implementing changes to our habits to lessen our impact on the planet. Every little change counts.”
Wisps of clouds, softly illuminated by the fading light, dance across the open sky, adding whimsy to the enchantment. But the true magic of the lit skies comes to life when darkness finally claims its dominion. As if by some unseen sorcery, the first stars emerge from their hiding places, scattering across the heavens like scattered diamonds. These celestial beings, twinkling ever so gently, create a sense of wonder, evoking a childlike awe that stirs the depths of the soul. At this point, the sky reinvents itself once again, transforming into an inky blue canvas sprinkled with constellations and the infinite possibilities they represent. The moon, bathing the world in its silver glow, hangs low in the sky, its ethereal presence filling the heart with a sense of mystery and wonder. Amidst the stars, shooting stars fly by, granting wishes to those who dare to dream. The magic lit skies serve as a gentle reminder of the wonders that exist beyond the reach of our everyday lives. They invite us to pause, to let go of our worries and immerse ourselves in the beauty and awe that surrounds us. In a world filled with chaos and stress, the lit skies offer a moment of respite, reminding us to appreciate the simple yet extraordinary gifts of existence. In these magical moments, we are reminded that we are but a small part of something much greater—an interconnected web of life, where every individual has a role to play. The lit skies beckon us to look up and marvel at the vastness of the universe, urging us to find our place within it and to embrace the boundless possibilities that await us. So, the next time you find yourself under a magic lit sky, take a moment to be still, to let the beauty of the world seep into your being. Let go of your worries and allow yourself to be swept away by the enchantment. For in these fleeting moments, true magic exists, reminding us of the extraordinary in the ordinary and the infinite within ourselves..
Reviews for "Constellations of Wonder: Discovering Patterns in Magic Lit Skies"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic Lit Skies" considering the hype it received, but I was extremely disappointed. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters. The writing style was overly dramatic and seemed forced. Overall, the book failed to captivate my interest and I struggled to finish it.
- Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - I really regret wasting my time on "Magic Lit Skies". The plot was predictable and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing was filled with cliches and lacked any originality. I found it difficult to stay engaged and couldn't wait for the book to end. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
- Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - "Magic Lit Skies" fell flat for me. The worldbuilding was limited and the magic system felt underdeveloped. The pacing was slow and I found myself losing interest in the story. The romance aspect was also poorly executed and lacked chemistry. Overall, this book failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied.