“ We have so much darkness for half the year , it ’ s easy for us to access the night sky ,” Pat says . “ You don ’ t even need that much knowledge to see something fascinating ; there are a lot of apps that can tell you exactly what you ’ re looking at .” And what might you find ? More than just dots in the sky . Pat regularly views stars and their constellations , comets , and the northern lights . Even the moon can be an object of fascination when viewed with the right mindset .
Why We Watch
Skeptics may claim that those little dots of light are uninteresting , but experts say otherwise .
Joan Marie Galat is a science educator in the Edmonton region and the author of thirty books on astronomy and other sciences . She has seen people of all ages fall in love with the sky , often unexpectedly .
“ No matter how old you are , there ’ s just a sense of wonder that comes with the night sky ,” says Joan . “ The stars are full of mystery , and they cause us to reflect . For the science-minded , it can be incredible
to think about how far away these objects are and the phenomena that brings their light to us . For the story-minded , these objects connect us to myths and histories from countless cultures . Each star has a story to tell .”
Once you let the wonder in , there are many things you can do with it . “ Some people get into night-sky photography ,” says Joan . “ It gives them something to focus on , a reason to look . Others like to sketch or paint the night sky . It ’ s also a great way to connect with your grandkids , to teach them something or to create an opportunity for storytelling .”
You might see the star Mizar and find that it doesn ’ t mean a lot to you . But instead of putting the binoculars away and watching TV , take it one step further : Notice that Mizar is part of the constellation Ursa Major , learn about how this great bear features in Greek myth , or how the same stars are imagined as seven seers in the Hindu tradition .
ALBERTA ’ S DESIGNATED DARK SKY PRESERVES
• Beaver Hills
• Cypress Hills
• Wood Buffalo
• Lakeland Provincial Park
• Jasper
Not close to a designated preserve ? Start in your own backyard !
32 | arta . net CONNECTING THE DOTS