Buzz
The night has fascinated humans for as long as history has been recorded. From the ancient reverence of the moon to its continuous influence on art, music, and literature throughout the ages. It has also shaped celestial calendars and mathematical systems, and even inspired mankind to set foot on the moon. Here are just a few reasons why the night—and the moon's role in it—continues to ignite our curiosity.
10. Astronomy
Polaris, known as the North Star, is familiar to many. But fewer realize that due to a phenomenon called precession, it has not always been the North Star. In fact, around 12,000 BCE, Vega served as the guiding star, and in roughly 5,200 CE, a completely different star will take its place. The night sky is always evolving, and though some changes are imperceptible to our eyes, the sky will never be the same as the moment you just witnessed.
9. Health
In addition to making you feel sluggish, did you know that some studies also connect exposure to artificial light at night to various health issues and psychological impacts? Numerous health concerns have been tied to light pollution, especially its disruption of natural circadian rhythms and the inhibition of melatonin production, which mainly occurs during the night. One significant issue being explored is the potential connection between nighttime artificial lighting and breast cancer. There is even a “dark sky” movement that seeks to reduce light pollution—not only for the sake of astronomy and energy conservation but also to mitigate the potential harmful health effects that excess artificial lighting can have on both humans and animals.
8. Mythology
The familiar patterns of constellations often represent animals, objects, and figures we recognize (for example, Taurus the bull), but they also come with rich mythological tales. One such story is that of Aries, the ram from the tale of Jason and the Argonauts. Fun fact: Aries was designated as the first constellation in the zodiac because it was historically associated with the vernal equinox. While that’s no longer the case due to precession, Aries remains the first sign. (http://comfychair.org/~cmbell/myth/myth.html)
7. Geography
Although the term has become less common, many people unknowingly have a perioecian. Perioecians are individuals who live along the same geographical parallel but at opposite meridians, meaning that when it’s noon for one, it’s midnight for the other. A volume from 1826 contains the old formula for determining perioeci, and this site offers an approximation of who experiences midnight when you have midday. It's important to note that not everyone has a perioecian, as the distribution of landmass means some people live opposite oceans.
6. Music
Do you have a passion for the night and a love for music? Why not experience a nocturne! Nocturnes are pieces of music specifically inspired by, or evocative of, the night. While these compositions are often characterized by their calmness, they can convey a wide range of emotions. The term 'nocturne' was first introduced in the 1700s, though at the time it referred to pieces intended to be performed at night—like Mozart’s Serenata Notturna, K. 239—even if they weren’t necessarily inspired by the night itself.
5. Companionship
Many people feel a strong connection with a preferred pet. The most well-known rivalry in this regard is between 'dog people' and 'cat people.' A lesser-known distinction between these two pets is that dogs are diurnal, while cats are nocturnal. Though some studies explore how pet preferences might relate to personality, there is no conclusive research yet on whether pet owners tend to be more diurnal or nocturnal themselves—whether they are 'morning people' or 'night owls.'
4. Festivity
Numerous holidays are centered around the night, such as Christmas Eve, Hallowe’en, and New Year’s Eve. In certain European traditions, there's a celebration known as Walpurgisnacht, which takes place the night before May Day (May 1). Originally a spring festival honoring Saint Walpurga, it now holds various meanings in different cultures, one of which depicts it as a night when witches and their gods gather to revel. The festivities typically include bonfires, dancing, drinking, and general merrymaking.
3. Calamity
The Doomsday Clock symbolizes how close the world is to global catastrophe, with midnight marking the end of the world. As of now, the clock reads six minutes to midnight, and it has been adjusted 19 times since its inception in 1947. Though the exact setting is somewhat symbolic, the closest it has been to 'midnight' was two minutes away, in 1953, when both the United States and the USSR conducted nuclear tests within nine months of each other.
2. Meteorology
Auroras, also known as the 'Northern Lights' and 'Southern Lights,' are mesmerizing displays of atmospheric light created by the emission of photons in the Earth’s atmosphere, accompanied by various reactions. While green, which is caused by oxygen emissions, is the most common hue, auroras can also appear in shades of red, reddish-brown, blue, and even pink. The most extraordinary auroras in recorded history occurred during the Solar Storm of 1859, when the auroral lights were visible as far from the poles as the Caribbean.
1. Chronology
When is night not actually night? When it’s broad daylight! (Although, technically, it’s still nighttime…) This phenomenon, known as 'white nights,' occurs when the sun remains visible at midnight. The closer one gets to either of the poles, the more frequently this happens. The opposite of this is the 'polar night,' when the sun doesn’t rise at all for an entire day.
