Have you ever read Nightfall?
The original short story by Issac Asimov, that is -- I haven't read the novel version, and can't vouch for it. In any case, it talks about the psychology and sociology of a culture that can only see their own stellar system (they live in a 6-star system, IIRC) and their large moon. However, once every few thousand years, the suns line up behind the moon for a total solar eclipse, plunging the whole planet into darkness. I won't spoil what happens next... :-) Definitely worth a read.
Cheers,
Nathan.