dana

Last Astronomical Twilight

Added 2021-05-24 13:55:45 +0000 UTC

Last weekend was the last Astronomical Twilight of this Spring for us living in Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. To mark this transition I removed a comet suncatcher from my window and placed it on the altar. I will keep it there for a couple of weeks or so before storing it away until Astronomical twilight returns sometime this Summer.

The vanishing of the night in the summer is affecting me really strong every year. Having a twilight all night long can be amazing if you want to stay active in the evening. In day to day living it often leads to insomnia and late bedtime sometimes simply because you do not notice how late it got.

As someone who loves casual stargazing, I feel a little regret when nights leave for the summer. All we can see in the summer, provided we actually get a clear sky, are planets and brightest stars. I will be looking forward to the return of the night.

To me, the end of the Astronomical Twilight marks the beginning of summer. It is the time of the year when days are truly longest and plants grow the fastest. It's a great time to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature.