When I got home, there was a copy of Anna Levin’s new book aptly titled Dark Skies sitting in my mailbox. I like short books packed with information, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

Credit: Collection Christophel / Alamy / Dimension Films / The Weinstein Company “Dark Skies” was one of the first sci-fi movies I ever watched. I was probably a little too young at the time ...

More than 99% of Americans live under light-polluted skies, unable to see the stars and constellations above us. But there are still some areas around the world where the dark sky above is protected.