To the OP: I wouldn't recommend what Starscream is doing with temp drops, unless you are literally breeding a female, because that's how you encourage your ball python to go off feed, especially in the fall or winter. Not all balls do, since some are total pigs haha. But it'll increase the chances that a bp will respond by fasting, especially if they are a sub-adult~adult individual.
Not everything should be emulated like "in the wild". If that were the case, we should add some predators and cold winter temps to their enclosure too (of course don't do that). It's better to stick to what people have found to keep the species consistently healthy in captivity.
In terms of providing day/night light cycle though, it's no harm done! Even if you don't specifically provide direct lighting, I believe they should still have a day/night cycle from ambient light in the room.
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