every 2,000 years, the suns would become aligned so that

they all set at once—and only then would the inhabitants of

that world know darkness. In Asimov’s story, that “nightfall,”

with its splendid, never-before-seen stars, called forth

a terror among the people that caused them to run amok,

and brought an end to their civilization.

Here on Earth, nightfall is so commonplace! Most of the

time, we give it no notice at all. Can we learn to look with

fresh eyes at the changes that take place every evening as

our planet turns into its own shadow and lets us see the

stars again?
 

                    Late sun-rays flicker

                    Through pine and oak foliage…

                    Mount Wilson’s best hour.
 

                            One inch at a time

                            It slides up our grassy hill—

                            Six o’clock shadow.
 

                                    How quietly

                                    Amid still and moving lights

                                    This day also fades.