Over 99% of the U.S. population resides beneath skies tainted by artificial light, which diminishes the visibility of stars and constellations.

The bright haze prevents four out of five Americans from viewing our galaxy, the Milky Way. Additionally, it disrupts our natural sleep patterns and negatively impacts flora and fauna. Dr. David Koerner, an astronomer, believes it also undermines our connection to the universe.

“Recognizing the galaxy you belong to, and understanding that your existence is not merely defined by your workplace or surroundings, but by this massive universe, is vital,” he noted. “That connection is significant.”

Dr. Koerner, a retired professor from Northern Arizona University, recently spent six weeks serving as the park’s astronomer-in-residence at the Grand Canyon, a role designed to enhance understanding and appreciation for dark skies.

Grand Canyon National Park earned its title as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019. To obtain and maintain this status, the park modified thousands of light fixtures to minimize glare and direct light downwards while ensuring a high quality of the night sky. This park is among over 145 dark sky destinations across the U.S., predominantly located in the southwestern region.

While some individuals may call these dark sky havens home, most only witness the splendor of an untainted night sky through a screen, such as social media, movies, or TV shows. However, upon visiting locations with truly visible skies, their perspective changes.

During his time at the North Rim, Koerner accompanied visitors stargazing when one woman from the east coast became utterly captivated by the night sky.

“We can’t see any of this back home,” she exclaimed in amazement, “but it’s all up there!”

For Koerner, witnessing the night sky provides an opportunity to experience deep time, a concept as awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon itself.

“Deep time shows us that time in the universe is three times longer than on Earth,” he explained, “because the universe is thrice as old.”

A Remarkable Tale

The concept of deep time was first introduced in the 18th century by geologist James Hutton.

Hutton, after studying rock formations along the Scottish coastline, realized that the Earth must be far older than the conventional belief of 6,000 years. He was particularly intrigued by unconformities, where layers of rock from various geological eras meet, illustrating a gap in time.

In 1788, scientist John Playfair accompanied Hutton to Siccar Point, where they observed a significant unconformity. “It felt dizzying to contemplate the vastness of time,” Playfair later described.

It was the idea of deep time that drew Koerner to the Colorado Plateau.

Raised in Long Beach, California, Koerner’s parents embraced a creationist view of the universe, but he was fascinated by a different narrative. A particular scene from Disney’s “Fantasia,” depicting Earth’s scientific origins and evolution, deeply captured his imagination, causing a conflict with his background beliefs.

Ultimately, he found the scientific account to be more captivating, and the Colorado Plateau, with its ancient rock formations and dinosaur fossils, offered a concrete link to the past that excited him.

“It felt like a place where you could connect with the very essence of deep time,” he reflected. “While many may find it intimidating, it grounded me.”

Koerner earned his Ph.D. in astronomy following his undergraduate studies in physics and joined Arizona State University in 2002. Now retired, his passion for the Colorado Plateau and the narratives that captivated him during his youth have not waned.

He continues to be amazed by the Big Bang theory, which describes how the universe emerged from a hot, dense state into galaxies, stars, planets, and ultimately, life itself.

“It’s an incredible tale,” Koerner remarked. “I believe it’s a far more engaging narrative than any cultural stories we’ve devised. I’m still in awe of it.”

Exploring Life’s Mysteries Under the Night Sky

Two hours post-sunset, the rim stood quiet and empty. A slender crescent moon shone dimly, casting light on the towering peaks of the canyon, while the canyon floor remained shrouded in darkness. Only the flickering headlamps of hikers traveling from one rim to the other could be seen.

Above, the vastness of time awaited discovery.

Stars sparkled through scattered clouds, with the Milky Way visible in the gaps. Koerner pointed a laser into the night sky, showcasing the Summer Triangle: Vega, surrounded by dust; the rapidly spinning Altair; and Deneb, thought to be over 2,000 light years away.

Deneb is enormous, Koerner explained. Its size is comparable to the distance the Earth travels around the sun.

“If positioned where the sun is,” he elaborated, “it would dominate the entire sky.”

The Future of Dark Skies

A bright line erupted against the northern sky.

“Wow,” Koerner exclaimed. “Did you catch that?”

It was a fleeting blaze, so bright it was hard to ignore. Was it a shooting star?

“It might have been space debris,” he noted.

As humanity continues to venture into space, it impacts astronomy significantly. Koerner mentioned that space debris has become “a nuisance, and it’s worsening.” There’s also an issue with radio interference, mainly from satellites.

Discussions around space have shifted toward its democratization, broadening access beyond just NASA astronauts.

“In my opinion, it’s a chaotic situation,” Koerner remarked with a laugh. “It’s so messy that I don’t have strong principles to lean on, as it feels rather hopeless.”

He anticipated that this landscape would be shaped by special interests and a lack of cooperation. While space tourism presents one perspective, mining and colonizing the moon and asteroids poses another concern.

“Expect the same extractive capitalism patterns to emerge again,” he warned. “And what approaches will global governments adopt?”

Here on Earth, a large portion of the population struggles to catch a glimpse of the night sky.

Nevertheless, there is some hope, even in areas heavily affected by light pollution. National parks and conservation areas are prime candidates for dark sky initiatives, though options exist elsewhere too. For instance, Fountain Hills, a neighborhood in the sprawling Phoenix area, has been designated as a certified dark sky site. The growth of astrotourism, where individuals travel purposely to enjoy dark skies, reflects an increasing awareness of the wonders we often overlook.

“Our collective hope is that this awareness will extend into urban and suburban regions,” Koerner stated. “Even in developed areas, they don’t have to be as light polluted as they currently are.”

Ultimately, we are left to grapple with the influence of artificial light: it has the power to illuminate — and obscure — at will.