Rudimentary

To those who study the sky and the stars:

Why are some nights darker than others? Is it my eyes adjusting poorly? I don't think so. It's a massive difference. Tonight, although the sky isn't visible because of the smog or clouds or whatever that haze is, it's bright out. I can see outside without a light. Clearly.

Some nights like this one, where the haze isn't obstructing, the brightness doesn't seem to affect the view of the stars. In fact, that brightness seems to come from the stars themselves.

Some nights, haze or easy star gazing is irrelevant, but it's pitch black out, so dark that even a bright light seems to get lost in so much darkness. One foot in front of the other is too large a step to take when that type of darkness overtakes.

Is there a scientific reason?

I could ask google, but then I couldn't smell my own farts with the satisfaction of someone who looks at the world with endless wonder and ignorance. Could I ever come to terms with calling myself a writer if I'm not some kind of pretentious? So you see, I have an image to uphold. I didn't say it was a good one, but an image nonetheless. You are excused. <3