I met Jan Battles a few years ago when we worked for the same Publisher. Jan was walking with the aid of a stick then and I thought privately to myself that it was more than a sprained ankle. Jan confirmed a few months later she had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease. Something I knew little of, only that everyone was doing the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ to raise money for ALS or Motor Neurone as it’s known in Ireland.

This week marks International Dark Sky Week 2019. It highlights the effects of light pollution on our lives, environment and (funnily enough) the sky. Prior to the introduction of artificial electric lighting the night sky was filled with endless amounts of stars, inspiring everything from art to religion and philosophy over the ages.