In one of the many episodes of his Super Quark, Piero Angela shared a fascinating insight:

There is something strange and unsettling about humanity’s relationship with the cosmos that is rarely mentioned: the universe is, in fact, dark. There is no light, the stars do not shine, the sun is not luminous, the moon does not reflect its rays. Everything is black, terrifyingly black. Why? Because light only exists if there are eyes and a brain capable of transforming electromagnetic waves into luminous signals, as the human brain does. Electromagnetic waves, in and of themselves, do not generate light. Everything in the cosmos is dark. And silent, because without an atmosphere, there are no sounds. One could say that the cosmos lights up only when humans appear, capable not only of seeing these lights but also of interpreting them.

An excerpt of this segment is available here.

The Nature of Reality and the Role of Astronomy

This reflection offers a powerful starting point to consider the nature of reality and our role in the universe. If light, as we perceive it, is a construction of our brain, it means that much of our experience of the world is mediated by our mind and therefore inherently subjective. This leads us to understand that what we perceive is not “objective reality” but a version of reality that our evolution has made functional for our survival.

In this sense, astronomy helps us move beyond this personal illusion by revealing a much larger, more objective, and in some ways inscrutable reality. Looking at the sky and realizing that most of the universe is dark and that what we call “light” is not only an illusion created by our brain but also a tiny fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum invites us to relativize our human experience. We are not the center of the universe, nor do we have a privileged view of it: we are small observers trying to decipher fragments of a much greater whole.

Overcoming Individualism Through Cosmic Awareness

From this understanding arises an important lesson in overcoming selfishness: realizing that our perspective is limited pushes us to look beyond the boundaries of our “self.” Astronomy, by unveiling the vastness and complexity of the universe, makes us understand that we are all part of the same system, united in a small corner of an immense cosmos. In this context, the very existence of life on Earth appears as an extraordinary and fragile event, something to protect and cherish.

This awareness can transform into a more global and harmonious vision: once we realize how interconnected we are, not only with each other but with the entire universe, individualism loses its meaning. The boundaries we draw—between nations, cultures, or even individuals—become superficial compared to the cosmic reality in which we are immersed.

Furthermore, the idea that “light” is an illusion invites us to reflect on how many other human “certainties” are equally relative.

Embracing this uncertainty is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity to be more open, more collaborative, and more humble.

A harmonious worldview does not mean erasing oneself but recognizing that our uniqueness finds meaning only in relation to others and the whole.

Astronomy thus becomes not only a scientific tool but also a philosophical and spiritual one. It teaches us to live more consciously, to appreciate what we have, and to collaborate to preserve it because what unites us—our shared fragility in an indifferent universe—is infinitely more important than what divides us.

About the Author