"Half the park is after dark" is more than a clever saying; it's a way of life — especially for TylerNordgren. He's an artist, astronomer and national park lover who invented the expression and illustrated (加插图) the accompanying poster(海报) series for the national parks. The printed pictures show the midnight blue sky with the vastness (浩瀚）of the Milky Way. They usually picture a star-lit silhouette (轮廓) of one of the park's driving attractions, and most posters will mention "See the Milky Way" or "Half the Park Is After Dark."
Unfortunately, the night sky, or the actual night sky, isn't something most people get to experience fully. According to a recent study, over 80 percent of the world cannot see the whole night sky because of light pollution. From streetlights to buildings to giant advertisements — think Time Square in New York — artificial light illuminates( 照亮 ) the night sky, stealing the stars from us. This is why Nordgren encourages us to get away from light pollution and experience the true starry sky in a national park.
"Think about all the history and all the people who ever looked up at the stars and wondered about the universe. That's something that we no longer have today," says Nordgren. "Get out into nature, and see the universe beyond our own atmosphere. And when you see that, you feel awe ( 敬畏 )," says Nordgren. According to a 2018 study, experiencing awe can increase feelings of humility( 谦逊 ) — making one kinder, more modest and more positive. One can feel this sense of awe after hiking a mountain or seeing the Milky Way.
Imagine experiencing a national park after dark. As the sun goes down, the park empties. Many park visitors return to their campsites or hotels, and now the park is quiet and peaceful. "This is a great time to experience some of the park's best features," Nordgren says. "Your eyes will most likely adjust, but bringing a flashlight is always a good idea. It's always wise to make sure you're not hiking near cliffs(峭壁) in the dark and be aware of what sort of wildlife may be in the park."
