Day Fifty Seven - The stars are out tonight

The last 12 months have been a very testing time for everyone. The Covid-19 Pandemic has stress tested our global community and found quite sizeable cracks. Grief and heartache, weariness and distress has visited every part of our world. But we have to say that our ability to work together in the face of this crisis is commendable, and even now slow, small steps of recovery are being taken.

Another positive was reported in the news this week. The Guardian reported that the number of stars visible in the skies above Britain increased in this year’s annual count, indicating a lessening of light pollution in lockdown. CPRE, the countryside charity, said 51% of people taking part in its citizen science count in February noted 10 or fewer stars in the Orion constellation, indicating severe light pollution. During the same period in 2020, before the first lockdown, 61% of counts registered 10 or fewer stars. Thirty or more stars, indicating truly dark skies, were seen by 5% of participants, the highest figure since 2013.

Human illumination of the planet is growing in range and intensity by about 2% a year, and light pollution is implicated in the decline of insects, especially moths, while also changing the behaviour of many other animal species.

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of CPRE, said: “Looking up at a starry night sky is a magical sight and one that we believe everyone should be able to experience, wherever they live. And the great thing is, light pollution is one of the easiest kinds of pollution to reverse – by ensuring well-designed lighting is used only where and when needed, and that there is strong national and local government policy.”

As soon as I read those words I was reminded of Psalm 8. It is one of my favourite Psalms, and whenever I read it I want to wander outside and look up at the magnificent night sky.

Take a moment to read this wonderful Psalm, then praise God for his care for our world and our lives, and also pledge to do your part to look after this spectacular place we call home.

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honour.

You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the animals of the wild,

the birds in the sky,

and the fish in the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Neil Chappell