National Look Up at the Sky Day is on April 14, and we have some interesting moments in history, aurora light facts, and the perfect ways to celebrate. We often rush through our weekdays, hoping the weekend will come quickly, and then rush through the weekends before dreading its end. When was the last time you stopped and looked up at the sky? Did you know that a cloud can weigh approximately 1.1 million pounds, or that the color of a star depends on its temperature? The sky is fascinating, yet we hardly even notice it.
History of National Look Up at the Sky Day
Although the history behind National Look Up at the Sky Day is rather vague, some believe it started in honor of Jack Borden, a former Boston newsman who quit his day job after looking at the sky for what he considered to be the first time. He wanted others to see what he saw that day and founded For Spacious Skies, a nonprofit in the 1980s. The organization focuses on teaching children and adults to live in the moment rather than passing through life without noticing nature’s beauty. According to a Harvard study, students who were more aware of the sky were the ones that excelled in reading, writing, music, and visual arts. Borden believed that the more you looked up at the sky, the more you would appreciate it. Throughout history, multiple astronomers have been fascinated with the unknown the sky holds. Astronomy itself is the oldest natural science, and the sky is believed to have religious and mythological purposes, as well as to be a bringer of both good and evil. Ancient Mayans believed celestial objects were gods, and they closely linked their calendars to the astronomy they studied. The oldest-known aurora citation was documented in China in 2600 B.C. and was first called ‘aurora borealis’ by Galileo Galilei in 1619 A.D. after a Roman goddess. Traveling sailors would use stars to navigate, and the sun was their only instrument to tell the time. NASA, an integral organization for astronomic information, was founded in 1958 and continues to learn new data about space. National Look Up at the Sky Day helps us remember that there is important history all around us, and to be more aware of its presence.
National Look Up at the Sky Day timeline
An early artifact, the Nebra sky disk, a bronze disk that depicts the moon and stars inlaid in gold, is used during this time by sky observers from northern Europe.
Months before Galileo focused his telescope on the moon for the first time, Thomas Harriot, an Englishman, looked through a telescope and made the first drawing of the moon.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, is founded on October 1 by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
A star nicknamed Lucy, 50 light-years away from the Earth, is discovered to be the biggest diamond ever found, made of 10 billion trillion trillion carats.
National Look Up at the Sky Day FAQs
Why is the sky blue?
The sky is blue because of scattered sunlight. Gas molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun to make the sky appear blue during the day.
Why can’t I see that many stars at night?
Usually, for people that live in or near a big city, there may be more light pollution. This light pollution can be brighter than the stars in the sky due to the reflection of city lights.
How can you celebrate if it’s raining?
No worries! You can still celebrate by watching the sky from a nearby window, putting on some rain boots and grabbing a clear umbrella, or if you have a porch, you can sit outside and just watch the rain come down.
National Look Up at the Sky Day Activities
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Spend time outdoors
Soak up some Vitamin D by going on a hike to get a better view of the sky and your surroundings, go on a picnic and describe the shapes of clouds passing by, or watch the sunset.
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Join an astronomy club
If you are looking for something to do at night, check if there are astronomy clubs or organizations in your area. Most will hold ‘star parties’ to stargaze in honor of Look Up at the Sky Day.
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Go birdwatching
There are over 10,000 species of birds. Why not take some time and see how many you can spot?
5 Facts About Aurora Borealis That Will Wow You
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Fire in the sky
Aristotle once studied and compared auroras to flames of burning gas.
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Santa’s nightlight
According to a Danish astrophysicist, the Northern Lights continuously circle the North Pole.
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Observed from space
Auroras are so bright they can be seen from space stations, and even from another planet.
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Variety of colors
Types of gas particles change the colors that display in auroras.
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Auroras in other planets
Astronomers have seen auroras on other planets like Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, and Uranus.
Why We Love National Look Up at the Sky Day
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We all deserve a break
We often feel so stressed and rushed through life that we sometimes forget to notice anything past our never-ending checklist. Taking a breath and looking up at the sky has a way of calming our minds.
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The sky is vast
There is still so much we don’t know about the atmosphere. It puts the world in perspective and shows us just how small we are.
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Mother Nature is beautiful
From the clouds, auroras, stars, and birds that fly in the sky, Mother Nature brings some of the most beautiful sights. All you have to do is look up and appreciate nature’s abundance.
National Look Up at the Sky Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 14 | Friday |
| 2024 | April 14 | Sunday |
| 2025 | April 14 | Monday |
| 2026 | April 14 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | April 14 | Wednesday |
