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The Night Sky

Discovering the night sky

by Brian Radcliffe

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To consider the wonder of darkness and the night sky.

Preparation and materials

  • Optional: you may wish to display a map that shows the network of Dark Sky Discovery Sites around the UK, in which case you will also need the means to do so. The map is available at: https://tinyurl.com/237a5ckm

    You may also wish to research upcoming events on Dark Sky Discovery Sites in your local area.

Assembly

  1. Ask the children, ‘Are you afraid of the dark?’

    Listen to a range of responses.

    Point out that most, if not all, of us find darkness a bit scary.

  2. Explain that throughout the world, there are areas called International Dark Sky Reserves. These areas are naturally dark at night and free of light pollution. This makes them some of the best places in the world to view the beauty of the night sky.

    In the UK, six of our national parks are International Dark Sky Reserves. There are also many Dark Sky Discovery Sites dotted all over the UK.

    Optional: show the map of Dark Sky Discovery Sites around the UK, if using.

  3. Tell the children that this is a good time of year to visit a Dark Sky Reserve and experience the other side of darkness. The reserves in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland and the South Downs all have special events this month. Here, people can enjoy walking, kayaking and eating during the day, as well as stargazing at night.

    To get a taste of experiencing darkness, maybe the children could go on a walk at night with a parent or carer, or simply stand outside together and look up at the night sky.

Time for reflection

Ask the children, ‘What might be the benefits of being in the dark?’

Listen to a range of responses.

The most obvious benefit of experiencing darkness is that by limiting our sense of sight, we heighten our remaining senses. Our hearing becomes attuned to rustlings, wildlife calls, the sound of the wind and our companions’ breathing. We begin to smell the countryside, both its pleasant and unpleasant odours. Some people feel like they can almost touch the darkness, it’s so impenetrable.

Another benefit of immersing ourselves in darkness is that we improve our chances of meeting nocturnal wildlife. Owls and bats may swoop across our path. Deer may be disturbed, often pausing for a moment to stare at us before plunging into the undergrowth. Glow-worms may be seen, like tiny fairy lights. None of these would be seen in bright daylight.

Darkness stimulates the imagination too. Some writers describe getting fresh ideas when they experience darkness.

Another benefit of total darkness is that it enables us to see more. Only from a dark location can we begin to get a sense of the vast expanse of space. There are the individual stars that form groups that we call constellations. There is the huge blanket of stars that we call the Milky Way. We may see a meteorite, even a meteorite shower. If we’re really lucky, we may catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights.

Only by placing ourselves in darkness can we get some sense of how vast space is, and how tiny Earth is in comparison. That’s why the Bible says, ‘When I look at the sky, which you have made, at the moon and stars that you have set in their places, what is humanity, that you think of him and her, human beings, that you care for them?’ (Psalm 8.3-4)

This is where our sight and our imagination work together, creating a sense of awe that is both uplifting and humbling at the same time.

Yes, we may feel a bit scared about being outside in total darkness, but if we can gather our courage, it’s an experience that’s worth having.

Song/music

‘Tidal wave’ by Doug Horley, available at: https://youtu.be/hWfYpF40i8U (4.25 minutes long)

Publication date: February 2023   (Vol.25 No.2)    Published by SPCK, London, UK.
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