We all have things from the past we are nostalgic about...But what things from 2022 do you think people might be nostalgic over in 50 years from now? You can answer generally or what you think you may feel nostalgic over personally...
So was the question for this #weekend-engagement prompt. This was an easy one for me to think about. I believe people will be nostalgic in 50 years for the night sky.
Why?
Honestly, I don't think it will exist in the future. Not literally, of course. The stars will always be there, but the ability to see them from one's backyard will cease to exist. Given the amount of pollution, light pollution, Star Link satellites, jet contrails/chemtrails (whatever you might call them), and whatever else will muck up the atmosphere. I honestly don't believe you or me, should we live another 50 years, will have the ability to see the constellations or the planets or deep space objects above our respective hemispheres.
That, I think, is a horrible future reality. If I get on my "romantic dreamer box" for one second, I get depressed about this potential fact. Stars have been with us since the very beginning of our existence. They have always accompanied our ancestors...they are integral to our very subconscious. To those blessed to be able to see them, the stars have always been above and provide used inspiration to lovers, romantics, scientists, artists, and writers...everyone who has ever lived on this planet has shared the experience to witness the beautiful lights above our lives.
Soon, that very old and shared human experience will likely cease to exist.
Yikes.
With all of that said, we should really take a second the next time we are outside at night to pause and look above. I have let my astrophotography hobby interest lose some focus, and that is a shame because any images of the night sky will be important historical documents in the future. Yet, although I don't always take the time to take photos of the Milky Way, I always take in the night sky from my backyard every time I have the ability to. The dreamer in me wants to share the experience with you; tonight, if the stars are above your head, take a moment to take the scene in. Perhaps you'll thank me!
What do you think? Do you think my daughter, or your children, or your nieces or nephews, grandchildren, or whoever might be around in 50 years will be able to see the glory of the full moon? Or the fantastically sublime Pleiades? The Orion Nebula from a pair of binoculars? Or even the Southern Cross? I don't think so, but I truly hope I'm wrong!
