Join BSA Space for a screening of The City Dark, a documentary that chronicles the disappearance of darkness. The film follows filmmaker (and amateur astronomer) Ian Cheney who moves to New York City from Maine and discovers an urban sky almost completely devoid of stars. He poses a deceptively simple question, "What do we lose, when we lose the night?".

Synopsis

Exploring the threat of killer asteroids in Hawaii, tracking disoriented hatching turtles along the Florida coast, and rescuing birds on Chicago streets injured by collisions with buildings, Cheney unravels the myriad implications of a globe glittering with lights—including increased breast cancer rates from exposure to light at night, and a generation of kids without a glimpse of the universe above. In six chapters weaving together cutting-edge science with personal, meditative sequences reflecting on the human relationship to the sky, The City Dark shines new light on the meaning of the dark.

The film features stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists, philosophers, historians, and lighting designers including Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, astronaut Don Pettit, neurologist Dr. George Brainard, Harvard Medical School scientist Dr. Steven Lockley, cosmologist Chris Impey, and lighting designer Hervé Descottes.

This screening is is part of the 2017–2018 BSA Space Film Series documenting some of the ways that architecture and design can engage communities, inspire vision, and provoke change. Complimentary refreshments and popcorn will be served. All proceeds from the series support the BSA Foundation.

Film running time: 83 minutes

Buy tickets

Interested in becoming a Friend of BSA Space? Sign up now, it's free!

Registrants to this event will be added to the BSA Space mailing list for updates on future public programs and exhibitions. Registrants may unsubscribe at any time. Email addresses will not be shared or sold to other parties.