Inspiration – DarkSky International

Building dark sky connections with Michelle Wooten

Megan Eaves — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:10:38 +0000

DarkSky Delegate Dr. Michelle Wooten is an astronomy educator and president of the Starry Skies South DarkSky chapter. In this interview with Nightscape editor Megan Eaves, she shares her work in protecting the night sky in the southeastern United States and how to build partnerships and communities in your local area. You’ve built communities and …

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Exploring “Lights Out”: The Smithsonian’s special exhibit on reclaiming the night

Savannah Pobre — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 20:32:36 +0000

When you step into the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, your eyes are immediately drawn to the towering elephant at the center of the rotunda. Majestic and lifelike, this iconic figure, affectionately known as Henry, has become a museum staple—and even a star in Night at the Museum. While Henry always stands proudly in …

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Reflecting on 2024: A year of global milestones for DarkSky

Drew Reagan — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 21:09:48 +0000

2024 was a dark sky year to remember! Not only did we reach significant milestones as an organization, but it was also a year filled with extraordinary dark sky events that inspired people to step outside and look up in awe and appreciation. From stunning auroras lighting up the skies to a solar eclipse that …

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Reflecting on Under One Sky 2024: A global gathering to protect the night

Drew Reagan — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 19:55:31 +0000

Under One Sky 2024 was our largest and most impactful global conference to date! Nearly 1,000 individuals from 53 countries registered for the event, showcasing the remarkable growth and strength of the global effort to protect the night. This year’s inspiring lineup of speakers and workshops equipped participants with valuable tools, fresh insights, and meaningful …

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Van Gogh’s starry skies

Megan Eaves — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:03:19 +0000

Vincent van Gogh loved the night sky. “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream,” the Dutch painter wrote in a letter to his brother, Theo, in 1888. It was the year he began painting some of his most famous images of starry skies. He …

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Darkness for Well-Being

Megan Eaves — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:14:00 +0000

If you’ve ever stood under the stars and taken a deep breath, you might have noticed the therapeutic effects of natural darkness. Research has shown that connecting with nature has many positive benefits, like greater mental and physical well-being, enhanced quality of life, increased satisfaction, and a decreased risk of depression. Exposure to light at …

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Camping Responsibly to Preserve Nature’s Beauty

Natasha Chortos — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 20:07:53 +0000

Imagine listening to the gentle rustle of leaves, breathing in crisp mountain air, and gazing at star-filled skies untouched by city lights. Camping offers a precious escape from our fast-paced lives, allowing us to reconnect with nature in its purest form. But as we enjoy these pristine environments, we must also protect them. National Parks …

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Coloring Pages for Summer Travel

Natasha Chortos — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 16:40:41 +0000

It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere and families are hitting the road on exciting long-distance adventures! We at DarkSky know that keeping kids entertained can be challenging. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a collection of coloring pages, designed to make those long car rides a bit more enjoyable for everyone. Each page features a …

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Zen and the Stars with Mark Westmoquette

Natasha Chortos — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Astronomer, Zen Buddhist, author, and mindfulness teacher Mark Westmoquette shares how connecting with the night aids in well-being. Tell us a little about yourself, your background, and what you do. I have a PhD in Astrophysics and worked as a professional astronomer for a decade, including at the European Southern Observatory in Munich, Germany. But …

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Astrophotography 101: How to capture star trails

Natasha Chortos — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Photographers love to capture star trails because the concentric circles and arcs add movement and energy to their images, transforming static scenes into compelling ephemeral stories that bring the night sky to life. Star trails are beautifully bold photographs that demonstrate the path of stars as they move through the sky during a period of …

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A dark sky photography exhibition lands at the Shanghai Astronomy Museum

Ruoyu Li — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 22:20:31 +0000

The starry night sky has always been an integral part of our natural heritage and a point of curiosity in the spirit of exploration. Humanity has gazed up at the stars since the dawn of civilization, contemplating the rhythms and cycles of the sun, moon, and a myriad of other celestial bodies. The tracking of …

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A stellar year for DarkSky: 2023 achievements at a glance

Drew Reagan — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 21:43:13 +0000

2023 was a successful year for DarkSky International. While light pollution grows at an alarming rate, nearly 10% each year, DarkSky continues to make incredible strides to protect the night. We are confident these destructive trends of light pollution can and will change. Thanks to the hard work of DarkSky Advocates and supporters worldwide, the …

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