I live in the Netherlands, which I think is the second worst place on the planet as it comes to light pollution.
I've never seen a truly dark sky full of stars until the age of 35. Not just never seeing one, not even being aware that it exists at all.
The eye-opening experience was in the Serengeti, Tanzania. Cruising the plains in a jeep some hours after sunset, to look for nocturnal animals.
Until the driver made a stop. We were told to get out, as he prepared hot chocolate, it was really freezing. Once we all had our drink, he then proceeded to turn off the engine and the jeep's lights (it had massive search lights)
Our group of 5 just stood there in complete awe, for minutes. A full 360 view with not a single light or object blocking a direct view at the darkest of skies, illuminated by millions and millions of stars. Endless.
Never before in my life have I experienced being part of the universe, I have only known it. Seeing it this directly, uncompromising, unpolluted was an absolute thrill. Further enriched with the howls of hyenas and nightly grunts of distant male lions.
The directness of the experience, feeling so close to it all, makes everything fall into place. How ancient people used it for navigation, or to count time. It is satisfactory at a very primal level.
A few years later in Colombia, we experienced it again. This time it was so clear that we could see the milky way with the naked eye.
Surely lots of people do live in rural areas, and cannot imagine this revelation. But for those living in extreme light pollution, it's like taking off a veil after decades, if ever.
Do I believe light pollution will be reduced so that we all can return to an "original" sky? No, quite the opposite. We'll have even more light pollution.
I'm really glad you got to experience that. I've only ever see it dark enough to see the Milky Way once, when I was out in rural Ireland. It was a stunning experience. But even the difference from where I grew up to where I am now is saddening, and I'm not currently living in a big city by any means. Thankfully, just a 45 minutes drive in the right direction makes it a bit better, but I can't help but feel a bit is lost every time.
I've never seen a truly dark sky full of stars until the age of 35. Not just never seeing one, not even being aware that it exists at all.
The eye-opening experience was in the Serengeti, Tanzania. Cruising the plains in a jeep some hours after sunset, to look for nocturnal animals.
Until the driver made a stop. We were told to get out, as he prepared hot chocolate, it was really freezing. Once we all had our drink, he then proceeded to turn off the engine and the jeep's lights (it had massive search lights)
Our group of 5 just stood there in complete awe, for minutes. A full 360 view with not a single light or object blocking a direct view at the darkest of skies, illuminated by millions and millions of stars. Endless.
Never before in my life have I experienced being part of the universe, I have only known it. Seeing it this directly, uncompromising, unpolluted was an absolute thrill. Further enriched with the howls of hyenas and nightly grunts of distant male lions.
The directness of the experience, feeling so close to it all, makes everything fall into place. How ancient people used it for navigation, or to count time. It is satisfactory at a very primal level.
A few years later in Colombia, we experienced it again. This time it was so clear that we could see the milky way with the naked eye.
Surely lots of people do live in rural areas, and cannot imagine this revelation. But for those living in extreme light pollution, it's like taking off a veil after decades, if ever.
Do I believe light pollution will be reduced so that we all can return to an "original" sky? No, quite the opposite. We'll have even more light pollution.