Stargazing: The People Watching of the Corona Era

In the era of social distancing and working from home, our world has had to react to unprecedented changes in our daily lives. While it has had a lot of negative effects, most have focused on the positive changes, such as spending more time with family, relaxing, de-stressing, learning new things, and pausing to wonder at the world around them.

The Nature of Observance

Typically, in the world of people on the go, it was very common to find yourself watching the throngs of others going from here to there, on the way to the destinations that make up their lives. It is human nature to observe various things that cause us to ponder their origins, what they do, where they are going, and what makes them grow and prosper? But what grasps our attention now that we aren't in the company of many people during this uncertain time? The one thing that has remained constant and will continue to be there, regardless of what is happening on Earth is the sky. The sky has captured imaginations of people from all periods, places, creeds, religions, and cultures. As we slow down to take in the wonders of this world and others, nights of gazing up at the collection of stars in the night sky can now become the norm.

What is there to see?

The celestial bodies that make up the night sky have historically been believed to have powers, represent specific cultural deities, and directly influence events on earth. While some of this still has basis, science has proven that the reality behind the magnificent features is even more remarkable than the imagination can fathom. Constellations are made of some of the sky's brightest stars, so they are usually a lot easier to pick out. In the past, farmers often used these "sky maps" to determine when to plant crops. Some planets are also visible with the naked eye, but often get confused as stars. They shine due to sunlight reflecting off of the planet's atmosphere, with Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn being the most prominent. The Moon appears to be the largest body in the sky at night, simply because it is the closest. We often take note of its lunar phase and tend to be superstitious when it is full. Comets are one of the rare occurrences but have captured attention throughout history and resulted in legends, stories, and tales linked to "shooting stars".  Clouds and other objects join the canvas to create the wonder than blankets our world at night.

Special Events

Occasionally, we are notified of a "once in a lifetime" celestial event that will occur. These events happen decades or even centuries apart. Meteor showers, eclipses, planetary alignments, and special moons are only a few of the events that lead us onto our lawns in the middle of the night, just to catch a glimpse of these astronomical phenomena. We are often informed on outlets such as social media when events like these will take place, but you can keep track yourself by following websites like NASA or Space.com. Just remember that while there is nothing like the bright lights of New York City, you might want to plan ahead and travel to a much darker area to truly enjoy these spectacles.

For more information on some of the best stargazing spots in Midtown Manhattan or if you are looking for an office space with a view of our majestic sky, contact us at Broadway Suites!