Light pollution can make it difficult to spot the Milky Way — that swirling, spiral galaxy encompassing our solar system. But according to Live Science, the Northern Hemisphere is about to enter a period that will be particularly ripe for Milky Way gazing. The galaxy will appear earlier and rise higher into the sky from May 20 to May 30, or between the last quarter moon and the new moon. Learn more about spotting the Milky Way.
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Environment
Wyomingites, Rejoice: Teton Named World’s First Dark Sky-Certified County
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If you’re in Wyoming’s Teton County, make sure you dim the (human-made) lights and count the stars: The area is officially the first county in the world to be certified as an International Dark Sky Community — and it’s home to the first airport in the world to be certified as an International Dark Sky Place. This distinction is typically reserved for parks and preserves, but Teton County stands out for its commitment to putting darkness on display. Jackson, the most populous town, hovers at around 10,000 people, which helps keep light pollution at bay. Then there are the local organizations, like Wyoming Stargazing, dedicated to preserving the night sky in all its wonder. Considering the county includes immense stretches of protected open space, such as Grand Teton National Park and 40% of Yellowstone National Park, it’s easy to see why this pocket of the Cowboy State is a favorite for stargazers. “The stars are literally etched into our DNA,” Samuel Singer, the executive director of Wyoming Stargazing, said in a press release. “If dark night skies ever disappear, we will have lost a part of what it means to be human.”
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Tackling Hearing Loss Can Help Ease Loneliness Among Older People, Study Finds
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Listening to others is a key part of making connections, but what if you can’t hear them? For those who struggle with hearing loss, effective care may empower them to overcome this obstacle, which could in turn ease the loneliness epidemic among older adults. According to a new study, providing hearing aids to older generations and teaching them how to use the devices could help them maintain social connections, which often wane as time passes. The authors also say it could reduce the feelings of isolation many senior citizens experience. Experts have linked isolation in part to hearing loss, which can interfere with communication and relationship building. Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the study found that participants treated for hearing loss retained one additional social connection on average over a three-year period, compared to participants who didn’t receive hearing therapies and were instead educated about healthy aging. Plus, the scientists discovered that participants who received hearing aids had more diverse relationships, meaning networks with many different types of connections — including family members, friends, and acquaintances. They also fostered deeper, higher quality bonds.
Humanity
Colorado Is Getting a Tiny Home Community for Teachers
We Fortify
On a field in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a collection of 40 tiny homes is in development. With garden beds and winding walking paths, renderings of the neighborhood look straight out of a magazine — you’d likely never guess it’s set on a school’s soccer pitch. “Wendy’s Village” is a community reserved for educators in the local school district that’s being brought to life by social housing nonprofit We Fortify. Rent will be $800 per month for each 352-square-foot home, which includes a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom. The hope is that the neighborhood will serve as a blueprint for future communities, as issues like stagnant wages, rising housing costs, and teacher shortages continue across the country. “There is absolutely a systemic crisis, so let’s get going,” We Fortify Founder and CEO Shelley Jensen told Good Good Good. She added that her way of helping is “to provide beautiful, dignified housing in a human-focused way that allows the teachers to teach and live in a state that they want to live in.” Take a tour of the first Wendy’s Village unit.
In Other News
Eggcellent news: For the first time since October, U.S. egg prices have dropped (read more)
A Brazilian microbiologist won $500,000 for leading the charge to grow food with fewer chemicals (read more)
As schools increase focus on the skilled trades,some teens are nabbing high-salary job offers pre-graduation (read more)
Wednesdays just got better. Starting July 9, AMC will halve ticket prices on hump day (read more)
An ever-mysterious tentacled creature was spotted by a camera miles below the ocean’s surface (read more)
Something We Love
Flabelus Ballet Flats The Mary Jane-style ballet flat is all the rage right now, but I think the look is completely timeless — and Flabelus has unique enough options for you to stand out from the crowd. They come in velvet, mesh, patent leather, wool, and linen, plus plenty of different color combinations. – Ally Mauch, Associate Editor
Miranda Gonzalez spent years thinking about throwing her cat, Holly Marie Gonzalez, a quinceañera for the feline’s 15th birthday. But the celebration went beyond a fun party — it was also a fundraiser for a Houston animal rescue, and the donations saved the organization from shutting down.
Photo of the Day
Harold Cunningham/Getty Images
Eurovision, the annual international song competition run by the European Broadcasting Union, kicked off earlier this week. So far, 16 acts are confirmed for Saturday’s final, including Sweden’s KAJ — pictured above and among the favorites to win. Click here to listen to their competition song, “Bara Bada Bastu,” but be warned that it’s quite catchy.
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