Have you ever found yourself gazing up at a star-strewn sky, listening to the chorus of nocturnal creatures, or simply soaking in the quiet mystery of the night? If the natural world after dark sparks your curiosity, the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) would love to hear from you.
We’re excited to announce that the OAD is collaborating with the University of Derby on a captivating research project exploring how people across the globe connect with the night. From the rustling biodiversity in your backyard to the vast, twinkling expanse of the night sky, we’re eager to learn what the nocturnal world means to you—wherever you are. This work is part of our Astronomy for Mental Health flagship that is focused on harnessing the inspirational potential of astronomy, and using it as a tool for improving people’s mental health and wellbeing.
What’s involved? Just a short survey. It’s a chance to reflect on your experiences with nighttime landscapes, wildlife, and skies, and to contribute to a study that’s piecing together a global picture of our relationship with the dark hours. Whether you’re an avid stargazer, a lover of moonlit walks, or simply someone who’s paused to notice the night, your perspective matters.
It won’t take long—think of it as a quick moment to share a story that’s uniquely yours.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE:
Study title: Under One Sky: Exploring people’s connection to the natural world at night
Do you have an interest in the natural world at night?
We would like to understand how people experience the night from across the world – its biodiversity, landscapes, as well as the night sky. This study involves completing a brief survey. More information on who is running this research, and how your data will be collected, stored, and used can be found at the link below.
Contact: Dominic Vertue or Dr Joyful Mdhluli, IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, mentalhealth@astro4dev.org