Since running into a deer and smashing up our vehicle two years ago, my wife and I avoid driving after sunset or before sunrise. Nevertheless, facing a 6-hour drive in the hot sun, I decided to set our early from Hays, Kansas. That proved to be a rewarding decision.
A thumb-nail moon and bright Jupiter gleamed in the eastern sky and, twenty minutes later, a spectacular red dawn stretched across the horizon. As the sun began to rise, the celestial bodies disappeared and the temperature increased.
No doubt, ancient man paid more attention to the night sky than most modern humans. After all, we have our atomic clocks and digital calendars to keep track of the seasons. Then there are those who lean toward religious mysticism; in their case, the spectacle above invites unwelcome questions.
See also: Night Vision
