Protect the night sky

As a nature photographer, stars have always been one of my favourite elements in the photos. They offer an connection to a universe that is mysterious and grand, connecting our earthly lives to the heavens. Since the earliest recorded history, the night sky has sparked our imaginations and become deeply rooted in our cultures, traditions, artwork, and in later years, has inspired the development of technology with the hope of reaching beyond our blue planet.

With the development of the industrial (工业的) world, though, we have begun to lose the clarity (清晰) that thousands of generations of people and wildlife before us have enjoyed. Because of excesssive (过度) use of lighting, stars have become fainter (模糊的). For photographers hoping to capture the magic of the night sky, they must seek new places. Dark places are far from the reach of a city, and those place are becoming harder and harder to find.

Thanks to conservation groups, led by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), we have an opportunity to improve our night skies and recapture ancient magic. By holding the International Dark-Sky week, a yearly celebration of the night sky, the IDA is helping cities, communities and families do their part in helping make skies darker. Dark skies benefit more than just nature photographers; they are important to many wildlife species that also depend on them.

Here are some simple steps we all can do that are easy and inexpensive:

* Change your light bulbs to a dark-sky-friendly color, the closer the light is similar to “firelight” and the further it is away from a blue or white color, the better it is for the environment.

* Use a light fixture that channels the light down and instead of wide and open.

* Turn your lights off before bed!

【小题1】Why does the author prefer photographing stars so much?

A．They inspire the author to learn cultures and art.

B．They are often paid little attention to by most people.

C．They are hardly seen due to the industrial development.

D．They build a close relation between universe and humans.

【小题2】How can photographers get a satisfying photo of the night sky?

A．By looking for places without light.

B．By turning to government for help

C．By avoiding using any light bulbs.

D．By promoting industrial development

【小题3】What can we infer from passage?

A．Blue and white are the dark-sky-friendly colors.

B．Many species of wildlife depend on dark skies.

C．Little efforts are needed to protect the night sky.

D．Joint efforts are needed to regain the darker sky.

【小题4】What is the author's writing purpose?

A．To highlight the value of protecting the night sky.

B．To inform people of the current situation of night sky.

C．To call on people to take action to protect the night sky

D．To show author's great concern for the use of lighting