MISSISSIPPI — National Look Up at the Sky Day, observed annually on April 14, encourages people to take a break from their daily routines and appreciate the sky and its ever-changing beauty, according to NationalToday.com.
With Artemis 2 NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen now safely back on land after they splashed down four days ago, there are still so many things to anticipate, look up at, and breathe… which is really good for your mental health, as it turns out.
The meaning of today is to invite people to look up and reflect on the vast expanse above them, serving as a reminder to be more mindful of nature, and hopefully less stressed about the noise and constancy of the every day rat race.
The origins of the day are unclear, but several sources cited by NationalToday.com suggest it may have been inspired by Jack Borden, a former Boston news reporter. Borden allegedly had a life-changing moment in 1978 when he stopped from his busy life and looked up at the sky “for the first time,” later founding the nonprofit For Spacious Skies to encourage others to appreciate the natural world.
The organization focused on teaching both children and adults to be present and aware of their surroundings. NationalToday.com also cites a Harvard study indicating that students who were more aware of the sky performed better in subjects such as reading, writing, music and visual arts.
Throughout history, the sky has played a significant role in science, religion and navigation. According to NationalToday.com, ancient civilizations such as the Mayans studied celestial objects closely, often linking them to gods and using them to create calendars. Early sailors relied on the stars for navigation, while the sun served as a primary way to track time.
Astronomy is considered the oldest natural science, and interest in the sky continues today through organizations like NASA, which has studied space since its founding in 1958.
Modern-day skywatchers also have opportunities to observe celestial events. According to AccuWeather, April’s Lyrid meteor shower, which is one of the oldest known with records dating back about 2,700 years, is expected to peak April 21 into April 22, producing up to 15 to 20 meteors per hour under favorable conditions.
Additional sky events this month include a planetary alignment featuring Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Neptune, visible in the early morning hours later in April, according to CNET.
National Look Up at the Sky Day serves as a reminder that the sky holds both historical significance and present-day wonder for those who take the time to notice it. Plus, it’s good for your heart (in a lot of ways).
