Photographer Rebecca Douglas has always been fascinated by the night sky. Her love for stars has taken the U.K. resident on “star walking” trips to Iceland and into the Arctic, where she steps out onto darkened trails to capture twinkling stars and glowing planets in her images.
Hiking at night isn’t uncommon. Plenty of people hike after dark to get to campsites or watch the sunrise from a mountaintop. Star walking goes a step further by blending hiking with stargazing. Rather than heading to an observatory or setting up a telescope in your backyard, star walking takes you on a brief journey to look at the stars from different viewpoints.
Whether you’re in the mountainside or by the lake with stars reflecting on the water, star walking is often much more dynamic than traditional stargazing.
What’s more, star walking is good for you. There are plenty of studies that show the health benefits of being in nature. Spending at least two hours a week outdoors, particularly while engaging in what involves “effortless attention”, can decrease blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels.
So how does an aspiring star walker get started? It doesn’t take much more than a sturdy pair of boots.
While telescopes and binoculars obviously have their uses, people are encouraged to start with naked-eye stargazing. Using only the eyes allows one to get lost in the infinite expanse of space and lets the mind go.
It is advised that one read up on the night sky before heading out. Free mobile apps, such as Star Walk 2, can help identify celestial bodies(天体)and are easy to use—simply point your phone at the sky to reveal a map. Websites like Sky & Telescope and NASA’s Space Place cover the basics, have in-depth explanations on stars, and offer advice on equipment. Space Place posts monthly skywatching updates, so you can plan outings around events such as meteor showers.
In the United States, national parks are great options for inexperienced night hikers. Many offer guided outings that explain the importance of protecting night skies. Those with a good number of walks under their belt may want to try Glacier National Park in Montana.
If national parks and other dark-sky designated areas are out of range, check local astronomy clubs and observatories for guided sessions. Sites like the International Astronomical Union are useful for finding resources by area.
At the end of the day, the best advice is to take it slow and enjoy the journey.
“With all of the chaos(混乱)that’s happening around us, the one constant has been the night sky,” explains Douglas, who has been exploring popular places nearby, long after the crowds have gone home for the day. “Walking is quite a mindful way of looking up and being reminded that, although everything feels so different, some things are still the same.”
12. According to the passage, star walking refers to ________.
A.going to an observatory |
B.looking at stars in mountains |
C.combining hiking and stargazing |
D.setting up a telescope in the backyard |
13. One of the reasons why people go on a star walking is that _______.
A.it’s easier to identify celestial bodies |
B.it is good for physical and mental health |
C.they can enjoy the journey without crowds |
D.they can raise awareness of protecting night skies |
14. According to the passage, a star walking beginner is advised to _______.
A.prepare a pair of strong boots |
B.start by observing with telescopes |
C.join an astronomy club or an observatory |
D.find guided outings with the help of mobile apps |
15. The main purpose of the passage is to ________.
A.excite people’s interest in star walking |
B.recommend some places for star walking |
C.explain the health benefits of star walking |
D.introduce the preparations for star walking |