The desert air at night is cold and clear. I’ve never seen a sky so bright. The stars and planets seem to pulsate. I’m hundreds of miles from a city, deep in the Namib, one of the oldest deserts in the world. The Bushmen, southern Africa’s oldest inhabitants, call this home.

Legend says that one dark night, a young Bushman girl, wanting to see better, threw fire embers in the sky. The embers became the stars and planets. Thrilled with the transformation and wanting to make it even better, she tossed different burning roots into the air and added color to the sky. This, say the Bushmen, is how the Milky Way was created.

I have my own story about the sky, one that precedes my experience in the Namib by more than three decades. I’m ten years old, perhaps even the same age as the mythical Bushman girl, and am sound asleep. My father lifts me from bed and carries me to a couch in front of our flickering black-and-white television. It’s three in the morning on February 20, 1962, and John Glenn is boarding the Mercury spacecraft. Soon an explosion of light and smoke erupts, and the rocket, burning like a hot ember, lifts him into the sky. “Godspeed, John Glenn,” radios fellow astronaut Scott Carpenter. The world waits and watches. Five hours and three orbits later, anxiety turns to elation when Glenn splashes down safely.

It’s a scene I will never forget, but the mission that stirred my imagination more than any other was Apollo 8 in December 1968, with its haunting photographs of Earth, made by the crew as they rounded the moon, the first humans ever to see its far side. There is our planet, beautiful, fragile, a mottled blue-and-white orb, floating in the blackness of space. The mission’s defining moment came on Christmas Eve, when in a live telecast from lunar orbit, the astronauts read the majestic words of Genesis to an enthralled audience on Earth.

This special edition of National Geographic celebrates the 40th anniversary of that mission. We also salute all the heroes who have ventured into space, and those on the ground who make such incredible journeys possible. May the dreams and aspirations of humanity always be as infinite as space itself.

I love the image above because it is a view that I have never seen before of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. It is in one of those images where I slap my head and say “how the heck did you see that?!” In the November issue of National Geographic, Jim Richardson has produced even more stunning images on a story on light pollution. And the truth is that these amazing photographs could not have been made to such a level of quality if it were not for digital photography.

The night sky in the small, rural Virginia community I call home is a big deal, but I didn’t realize how big until our local schools considered installing stadium lighting for nighttime sports. The controversy that erupted surprised me. I thought there’d be arguments about the cost of installing and maintaining lights—and there were. I just never expected the most intense debate to revolve around the potential light pollution of our famously dark skies. When the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors heard public comments on the issue, eight residents spoke in favor of the lights. Nine spoke against. Readers of the local newspaper also weighed in. “Our children will have the opportunity to play more sporting events,” wrote one supporter of the proposition. The lights   “will fundamentally and unalterably change the quality of life,” countered an opponent.

Light pollution is a rather new, unintended consequence of technology in the arc of human history, reports Verlyn Klinkenborg in our cover story. The beauty of an ink black night aside, darkness turns out to be as essential to our biological well-being as light. The cyclic rhythm of waking and sleep parallels the cycle of light and dark on Earth. Tampering with it may turn out to have biological repercussions.

Back to the light storm in my own backyard: After an anonymous donor offered financial help, the measure passed, four to one. It was “best for the kids,” the superintendent of schools said, but the jury may still be out on that one.

Photograph by Jim Richardson

Tiktaalik, which means "large freshwater fish" in Inuit, grew to nine feet in length and probably used its forelimbs—which were arms with short fin extremities—to raise its head to the surface to gulp air. Illustration by Shawn Gould © National Geographic Society.

If there were a Nobel Prize in paleontology it ought to go to a guy like Neil Shubin. The reason is that Shubin shows why paleontology matters. In a kickoff speech he gave tonight for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology’s annual meeting in Cleveland, Ohio he described that while the rural Pennsylvanian community of Dover was mandating that Intelligent Design be included in the science curriculum in 2004, he was studying a newly discovered fossil from the Canadian Arctic that illuminates one of the most profound evolutionary transitions in the history of life—the transition of fins to feet.

I won’t go into the details on Tiktaalik roseae here. You can find them well covered in National Geographic News and in the University of Chicago’s press release. But I will say here that when Shubin describes the step-by-step transition of a lungfish fin to an amphibian's arm and hand, it is hard not to see how Tiktaalik fits into the picture. This transitional sequence, with Tiktaalik filling a previously missing temporal and evolutionary gap, is evidence of the reality of evolution as compelling as those we have for horses and whales. Remember the popular pro-evolution symbol that shows a fish with the word Darwin in it and legs on it? Tiktaalik is not too different from that image; it is well on its way to becoming an evolutionary mascot.

Shubin, who works at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago, is well known at National Geographic. So is his long-time research colleague Ted Daeschler of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences. They are both grantees of the Society’s Committee for Research and Exploration. When I was Art Director at National Geographic Magazine, we helped bring their 375 million-year-old fossil creatures, including Tiktaalik, back to life with the help of talented artists. I watched as Shubin and Daeschler shifted their work from comfortable Pennsylvania to the Canadian Arctic. Shubin described how bad weather frequently shut them in their tents, which were only kept from blowing away by constructing walls of boulders around them.

I caught up with Neil Shubin (left) autographing his latest book,  Your Inner Fish, at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Its great to see hard work pay off. Shubin and Daeschler knew what they were after and they found it. It is also great to see how they are merging their fossil work with cutting edge studies in developmental biology. According to Shubin, these studies are showing how the genetic machinery to make digits is present in fish fins before we ever see fingers. The results of this research are clear for open-minded people to see. One can only hope that the message will get through to the many other Dovers out there before science loses more ground.

Yesterday saw the release of the first major update of Expression Media 2 (the Microsoft version of iView MediaPro) and many of the bugs that have annoyed the photographic staff at the magazine for the past few years are gone in this latest version. The Expression Media Service Pack 1 contains 400 bug fixes but here are the highlights I've noticed since I started using it.

Camera Metadata (EXIF) Is Saved on Image Conversion: We frequently use Expression Media 2 to rip JPEGs out of RAW files and iView loses the EXIF metadata upon conversion. This was a major headache and I am glad it is now possible to go from RAW to JPEG and retain the critical capture date & time as well as all of the camera information including ISO, white balance and lens.

Long file names: Long file names like MM7665_080808_45332_SkyDomeBlue-000001.NEF used to confuse iView and cause the program to lose track of where an image was located, create junk characters in the file name or prevent a user from resetting the path to a particular image. Thankfully, this bug is fixed and photographs with long file names don't break anything.

Geo-tagging: It still is rare that photographers send lat/long metadata embedded in photographs but now when they do it will be as easy as clicking on Window/Show Virtual Earth to see on a map where the images were created. I tested this today with old photographs from Nick Nichols and I was able to see exactly where he was making pictures in Africa. That 3D globe view is so good -- it was almost as if I were there!

There are still improvements that I hope are made soon that will improve our work at the magazine and also help photographers who use the software. Suggestions at the top my list are:
+ add on-screen notifications of changes made to photographs
+ improve the rename-on-import options for photographs
+ provide better feedback when notifying the user about what the program is doing and has completed
+ improve the import options to provide a chance to import and copy to a new location
+ provide an option to "stack" images to combine RAW + JPEGs as one.

There is clearly room to grow but this update is much appreciated. To get the full list of improvements in this service pack and for directions on updating the software check out David Sayed's blog.

What would you do if you had one wish to change the world, and you were given $100,000 to make that wish a reality?

James Nachtwey, one of the most highly regarded photojournalists of our time, was given that chance when he was awarded the 2007 TED prize. He used the prize
money to translate his peerless journalistic vision into stunning images, in an effort to raise awareness of a virulent, mutated strain of extremely drug resistant
tuberculosis—XDR-TB.

Mr. Nachtwey’s coverage spans the globe and will hopefully raise the profile
of XDR-TB. The photographs are as haunting as they are beautiful and can be
viewed at XDRTB.org.

— Ken Geiger

In October’s cover story, we introduced you to the first life-size, scientifically accurate reconstruction of a Neanderthal woman that's based on fossil anatomy and ancient DNA. She is five feet tall. She is heavily muscled. And you've surely noticed that she’s not wearing any clothes. Anthropologists believe that in summer, Neanderthals probably went naked.

Although the cover headline reads “Neanderthals Revealed,” we thought Wilma, as magazine staffers affectionately call her, might have occasionally craved a cover-up. So we asked some of the Project Runway designers to sketch an outfit for her, featuring materials that would have been available in Neanderthal times: animal skins (aka “leathuh”), fur, bones, and ocher body paint. Two National Geographic magazine designers also took on the challenge of answering the question: "What Would Wilma Wear?" Here are the fashion-forward ensembles they came up with.

I’m a real creature of habit, especially when I find some little piece of gear that makes my life as a photographer easier. To that point I recently learned some sad news, one of my favorite products has been slated for EOL.

Well I didn’t know what EOL was either, I had to ask—it stands for end of life. SanDisk is ending production of its SD and SDHC Plus line of memory cards. In an earlier blog I pimped the benefits of not having to carry around a card reader and cables, because the SD Plus memory card folds in half and plugs directly into a USB slot.

Seems putting a SDHC and USB controller on one of these convenient little cards makes them slightly more expensive, and so I deduce not as palatable to the thrifty shopper. For me the couple extra dollars is worth the convenience of have not having to drag around a card reader on vacation.

If you like these memory cards, get your fill while supplies last, because after the end of the year they may be as rare as hen’s teeth.

— Ken Geiger

Luxor temple is one of Egypt's most popular tourist attractions as well as one of its most threatened ancient monuments. Photo by David Boyer © National Geographic Society

What is the number one threat to Egypt’s ancient monuments? Stampedes of tourists? Looters? No, it is water. In this country where over 90 percent of the land is desert, the stone and mud brick structures created by its ancient inhabitants are threatened by water in the air and water underground.

This is not news, but the public needs to be more aware of this situation so we can support the efforts of archaeologists and hydrologists who are trying to solve the problem.

The problem starts with Lake Nasser, the 310-mile-long lake created by the Aswan High Dam. Water that evaporates off this lake has added humidity to the air that was not present before. This new moisture causes salts trapped in structures to burst through surfaces, destroying delicate carvings, paintings, and creating structural problems. Mud brick structures are particularly vulnerable not only to this, but to increased rainfall. They now erode more in a decade than they did previously in a hundred years.

These same buildings are attacked from underground by rising levels of groundwater which contain dissolved salts. These salts penetrate the stone of foundations. When they evaporate they cause the stone, usually sandstone or limestone, to crumble. Many structures are already critically damaged. No one knows for sure how long before such structural damage will result in collapses, but estimates range from several years to a decade.

This is why Dr. Zahi Hawass of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, says that groundwater is his number one concern  (see Getty Conservation Institute newsletter 1).

Groundwater problems are widespread at archaeological sites along the Nile. In the south at the Luxor and Karnak temple complexes, two of Egypt’s top tourist attractions, water flows underground from irrigated fields toward the sites, gaining in salinity as it flows. The groundwater problem there is made worse by farmers flooding their fields to grow sugar cane. This causes an excessive amount of water to enter the water table. A “dewatering program” was implemented at these sites and has met with temporary success. A more permanent solution may lie in efforts to convince farmers to plant less water-intensive crops, such as beans. (see Getty Conservation Institute newsletter 2).

In the north of Egypt at Cairo, rising groundwater and flooding is causing problems at the base of the Giza plateau. According to Reda Mohamed el-Damak, director of the Center of Studies and Designs for Water Projects at Cairo University's Faculty of Engineering (see full report ) the problem there is not just water, but water tainted by “sewage containing toxic waste and chemicals.” Like a stopped up toilet, inadequate sewage and drainage systems are causing water to back up.

The solutions to this problem are known. One needs to either reduce the amount of water being put into the ground  or provide ways for the water to drain away. The problem for Dr. Hawass and Egyptologists is that the solution must be quick and it will likely be very expensive. From 2000 to 2006, USAID and Egypt spent $15 million building a new sewer system around a few historic buildings in Old Cairo. The water had to be drawn 1.5 kilometers down pipes to another sewer system that was lower in elevation. The Luxor project is said to have cost almost $8 million (see article). It is not hard to see how the cost of these types of rescue efforts can add up very quickly.

I wonder if anyone imagined that after spending $1 billion to build the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s that it would create what might end up being a $1 billion problem down the road? Is Egypt or the world ready to spend that kind of money to save Egyptian monuments? If not, how would you decide what to save and what to let crumble?

The American Kennel Club has just released its list of most “pup-ular” names for dogs. (That’s their bad pun, not Pop Omnivore's!). Leading the list for male dogs:

1.    Bear
2.    Blue
3.    Max/Maximums/Maxwell
4.    Duke
5.    Buddy

And for female dogs:
1.    Lady
2.    Belle/Bell/Bella
3.    Princess
4.    Mae/May
5.    Rose

Americans, you need to think of better names!

For inspiration, we polled our National Geographic colleagues. Here are some of their waggish dog name tales. We'd also love to hear from our readers -- have far beyond Rover and Fido have you gone in coining canine names?

ARGOS

Argos was named long before he was ever born. In Homer's The Odyssey, only his loyal and faithful dog Argos recognizes King Odysseus when he returns after 20 years. That story always stuck with me, so when I decided to get a dog I knew I would name him Argos. What I didn't know was just how apt the name is. Modern-day Argos is as loyal, faithful, and noble as his ancient namesake.
-David Brindley

DESI "BABALU" ARNAZ JR.

My chihuahua surely has the best name out there. I was going to name him "My Name.. is … Inigo Montoya .. You Killed My Father, Prepare to Die"  as an homage to the movie Princess Bride. But it was a bit of a mouthful so Desi won out. 
-Liz Grady

HENRY ROLLINS

Henry Rollins the man is the muscular and heavily tattooed former frontman of a favorite hardcore punk band from my youth, Black Flag.
Henry Rollins the dog is an apricot toy poodle.
An apricot toy poodle needs all the help he can get.
-Margaret Zackowitz

LAZZIE

A dog’s life isn’t easy in Pakistan. They’re considered unclean according to Islamic tradition and are kept more often as house guards, not pampered pets. Islamabad, where I was based for six years as a reporter, is full of skinny, stressed-out strays dodging rocks and other projectiles—or worse. As I was driving home one Friday evening, I watched in horror as the car in front of me hit a white puppy trying to cross a four-lane road to reach its mother. The driver didn’t even stop. I slammed on my brakes, ran out into the middle of the road and scooped up the puppy as its mother darted back and forth whimpering on the far side, too frightened by the traffic to venture out. I rushed the puppy, unconscious and bleeding from the mouth, to a nearby vet, who was just packing up for the day as I clattered down the steps to his clinic, cradling this bloody little bundle of fur. The vet told me it didn’t look good, but he’d take the puppy home with him and see what he could do. I promised myself that if the puppy lived, I’d name it Lazarus.

The puppy—a female—did live, and I did name her Lazarus. She became known to one and all as Lazzie. She grew into a bouncy, boisterous, super-smart 60-lb pooch who knew how to shell pistachios, leapt onto the dining table with the surefootedness of a mountain goat, and aimed split-second ambush-kisses at the lips of everyone she liked. Shortly after her second birthday, she flew halfway around the world on Swissair (almost getting offloaded by mistake in Dubai) and emigrated to the U.S. Unlike most Pakistani street dogs, Lazzie lived many lives, and I'd like to think that her name gave her some protection along the way.
-Hannah Bloch

-Photo by Phil Goodwin

MICK ...

We have five dogs named Jon Jon, Millie, Mick, Tico, and Tucker.  For 
the sake of simplicity, I'll address my two favorite dogs (please 
don't tell the other pups). We have a neurotic border collie (he 
literally tries to herd flying birds and the odd bat) we got from 
border collie rescue. His name was Yurgi, which seemed entirely 
unfitting for a border collie and I believe contributed to his 
bizarre behavior. After a few days with the "nut case" I was 
inspired to give him a proper name that reflected his border collie 
roots. I named him Mick and our family, after a heated debate, 
finally agreed with me. He seems to like his new name, but still 
tries to herd birds and anything else that comes his way. Mick 
likes and needs projects. An idle Mick is not pretty.

AND TICO

Perhaps my favorite dog is a border terrier we named Tico. He is 
named after one of my best friends, Dr. John McNutt, better known as 
Tico. Tico is a wildlife biologist who has studied wild dogs in 
Botswana's Okavango Delta for years. Without his help I could not 
have done the wild dog cover story. Tico is from the Pacific 
Northwest, and our families share mutual friends. His wildlife 
research camp is one of my favorite places on earth and every year or 
two I take one of my children to his camp for a blissful recharge.   

Of course I contacted Tico to see if he minded that a border terrier 
shared his name and he was honored. Man and dog have since met and 
immediately hit if off.  My little Tico is occasionally wild, often 
courageous, and always smart, affectionate, and full of beans.  I wish 
I could bring him to work.  He is the kind of pup that brightens 
everyone's day.  If I meet the odd someone who doesn't like Tico, I 
usually don't much care for them.  That goes for both Ticos.
-Chris Johns

-Photos by Timothy Johns

TRAVIS

I adopted Travis when he was about a year old. His first owner was a woman who had studied at the University of Texas at Austin. In honor of her time spent in Texas, she named her dog after Gen.William Travis, commander at the Battle of the Alamo.  Travis sounded like a down-home name to me; I would have never come up with it on my own, but I thought it best not to change it. When I lived in Georgetown, a popular address with foreigners and movers and shakers, I would be asked his name and would say Travis, but several times his name was remembered as "Trevor" instead. So over the years that Travis and I would walk around Georgetown, there were several anglophile women who would see him and greet him as Trevor. On the other hand, I went hiking once in West Virginia and got lost on a mountain with my husband and Travis. Some good-old-boys on mules and horses came to our rescue. They got the dog's name right from the start.
-Victoria Pope