Looking up: How the South African night sky is healing minds

Asmental healthchallenges mount across South Africa, a pioneering research project is turning to an unlikely remedy: the night sky. From the dark expanses of the Karoo to city rooftops, the first-of-its-kind initiative is examining how stargazing can alleviate depression, reduce anxiety, and strengthen social bonds. Researchers from Stellenbosch University’sCoCREATE Health Huband theInternational Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development(IAU OAD) are investigating how awe, nature immersion and “cosmic perspective-taking” influence emotional well-being.

With nearly 40% of South Africans showing symptoms of depression or anxiety, the project —Astronomy for Mental Health— is testing whether looking up can literally help people feel better on the ground. Led byLynn Hendricks,Therese Fish,Nikki Thomasand their IAU OAD colleagues, the report examines how structured stargazing experiences — from local community gatherings to overnight retreats — can support mental health. “Through this collaboration, we are creating new ways for people to find healing outside clinical settings,” said Fish, the vice-dean: clinical services and social impact at Stellenbosch University’sFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“Families are reconnecting not just to each other, but to the environment and to a shared sense of humanity.” The project builds on Kaplan’sattention restoration theory, which explains how natural environments that gently engage the senses help the mind recover from fatigue. The night sky, vast and tranquil, offers what researchers call soft fascination: an effortless form of attention that restores clarity and perspective. Awe-filled experiences have been shown to activate brain regions associated with emotional regulation, lower cortisol levels, and restore calm.

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The research team believes the night sky offers a uniquely powerful version of this effect. They are particularly interested in theOverview Effect, a phenomenon described by astronauts who, upon seeing Earth from space, experience a profound shift in awareness and connection to humanity.

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