Dark Sky NZ

Did you know that the Aoraki/MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve is a pioneer in protecting the night sky?

Our reserve was established in 2012 and was the southern hemispheres largest, and one of the earliest dark sky reserves in the world!

Now there are 5 registered dark sky places in Aotearoa, including two dark sky reserves! We are honored to be leading the way for Astro tourism, and dark sky preservation!

📸: Maki Yanagimachi

The Wairarapa Sky International Dark Sky Reserve has an awesome new website – well done team! 🙌

The Wairarapa Reserve was designated by DarkSky International in January, joining just 20 other such reserves world-wide. ✨ It includes South Wairarapa and Carterton and covers 3,665 square kilometres.

Check their new website out here:
https://www.wairarapadarksky.nz/

DarkSky International

The team at Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve has had a busy few months behind the scenes.

After roving the information evenings we have been working on improvement projects, discussing heritage projects linked with the history of astronomy in Wairarapa. Chatting growth with Masterton District Council and developing the new website.

Just to name a few of the projects!

We realise it has been a bit quiet here, but suggest you head to have a look at the new website.
Link in Bio ☝️

Next will pop up the December start chart and fingers crossed for some clear skies to enjoy over Christmas. 🤞

Some good resources here

Dark Sky Lighting how to reduce light pollution

Another informative and useful article from The Guardian:

Everything from our sleep to our hormones relies on the dark. So why are we so intent on destroying it? Humans have always feared the night – and now we are wiping it out, one streetlight at a time. That’s terrible news for our bodies and minds – and the rest of nature

An important read

Light pollution ecology: from concept to species to ecosystems | Royal Society Dr Colleen Miller, guest editor of the latest Philosophical Transactions B issue, tells us about the background and content of the new theme issue.

Last day to register for the under One Sky Virtual Conference!

International Dark-Sky Association 2023 Global Conference Under One Sky

Goood news from Chile✨

Home of the world's most powerful telescopes joins the fight against light pollution Some of Chile's skies are among the darkest on our planet, attracting some of the largest observatories in the world.

Join the global community of advocates protecting the night sky for Under One Sky 2023 — a 24-hour virtual event that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered to combat light pollution in your region.

You’ll hear from experts and storytellers in the dark sky movement, connect with passionate individuals from DarkSky’s global network, and learn about hands-on activities and tools that you can use to protect the night. Register now! Early Bird pricing ends October 1st.

Under One Sky Global Conference
Nov 3–4, 2023
REGISTER NOW @ https://conference.darksky.org/

Since time immemorial, the night sky and the view of the stars have played an integral role in Indigenous knowledge and culture. For many, the loss of stars due to growing light pollution, is part of a continuing colonial erasure of Indigenous lifeways.

Many Indigenous communities are currently fighting to preserve their dark skies.

Ravis Henry, Navajo storyteller and teacher, shares aspects of Navajo constellations in order to build awareness for the cultural importance the night sky plays within his community. “These stories have been around for thousands of years, longer than the science that many of us comprehend today. These stories hold a lot of truth and knowledge.”

In 2015 the Kaibab Paiute Reservation, near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, became a Dark Sky Nation–the first and only nation to be listed as a Dark Sky Place.

“We need to smile when we look up to the sky at night, not squint and frown and look down,” – Kaibab Paiute tribal elder.

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day we hope you take a moment to learn more about the cultural significance and importance of the night sky.

Read more about the first Dark Sky Nation!
https://bit.ly/46oAjz2

Listen to Ravis Henry, Navajo storyteller and educator, discuss the importance of the night sky in his community.
https://bit.ly/46Jerhw

Photo: Ravis Henry, Navajo educator and storyteller, presenting at Mesa Verde National Park.

Dark skies, trivia night, wild kiwis: New Zealand’s lesser-visited ‘Great Walk’ is a bonafide must-hike Although it’s often missed on New Zealand travel itineraries, Rakiura (Stewart Island) deserves a spotlight for its natural wonder.

Can you see the stars? ✨ Join Globe at Night in their international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution.

October's star-hunting mission is on now until 13th October and you can participate by observing the constellations of Pegasus and Grus then submitting your observations from your computer or smart phone.

👉 See the six easy star-hunting steps here:
https://globeatnight.org/campaigns/

One of the Brightest Stars in the Sky is Actually a Satellite AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 is brighter than most stars. What does this mean for the future of astronomy? And stargazing?

Who owns the night sky?

This photograph taken in 2019 shows the double star Albireo in Cygnus. When capturing this image, two out of ten 2.5-minute exposures recorded Starlink satellites moving across the field.

While the number of satellites orbiting around the earth continues to grow at a rapid rate, the New York Times reported on a new type of satellite recently launched that outshines some of the brightest stars in the sky.

"Astronomers warn that BlueWalker 3, a test spacecraft with a large array of antennas, could be the first of many larger satellites in low-Earth orbit that interfere with astronomical observations."

While we recognize the importance of satellites in our world today… We also recognize the need for policies protecting the night!

Here are DarkSky’s principles for preserving the quiet enjoyment of the night sky and protecting the general public from the impacts of megaconstellations and low-orbiting satellites.

⭐ Stewardship of the night sky is a shared responsibility that requires participation and consultation with all stakeholders.
⭐ The cumulative impact on night sky brightness attributed to satellites does not exceed 10 percent above natural background levels.
⭐ Maintained satellite brightness is below the threshold for detection by the unaided eye.
⭐ Satellite visibility is an unusual occurrence.
⭐ Launch schedules and orbital parameters are made publicly available in advance.

Link to the referenced New York Times article: https://nyti.ms/3rCAlnW
Link to DarkSky article on satellite pollution: https://bit.ly/3LIdFcP

Kaikoura bidding for world heritage status If Kaikōura included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, it will be the fourth heritage area in the country.

Go Nasby! 🤩✨👍✨

Turning down the lights to reach for the skies The entire community of Naseby has decided to turn down the lights – and reach for the stars.

And more aspiring Dark Sky Places in the wings..✨✨

Top 6 Places to See the Milky Way in New Zealand The most impressive spots around New Zealand to spot the Milky Way. Stay up after dark and enjoy stargazing at its best. 1. Queenstown.

Great to see Dark Sky Reserves as one of the new categories! ✨✨

NZ Astrophotograhy Competition - 2023

If you’re down Kaikoura way ✨✨✨

The Kaikoura Astronomers Interest Group welcomes you to a free community stargazing evening this Friday, 23rd September from 7.30pm @ Hapuku School.

Brian will have his traditional telescope plus the new EVscope and touch pads.

Dress up warm. Come and learn about the night sky. It's also the time of the equinox. There are only two times of the year when the Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a "nearly" equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.

There are many possible ways to light up external spaces - but here is a popular option: Bollard luminaires like these by WE-EF Lighting are intended to light up footpaths at a comfortable height to help create a safe and inviting space.

The PSY400 produces zero upward light spill, therefore, protecting our night sky and can also incorporate optimised path lighting optics.

Check out the WE-EF BOLLARDS and other outdoor lighting options over on our website:
https://bit.ly/3VlCbnt

Inspiring and informative action from the northern hemisphere ✨🙂 ✨( and the momentum is building around Aotearoa NZ as well!)

Understory | The Movement to Save Our Night Skies | America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston Explore one town’s mission to become a Dark Sky Community, while researchers discover how darkness is not just important to experience the wonders of the cosmos - it’s vital to maintain healthy ecosystems and save the migrations of America’s birds.

https://twitter.com/johnbarentine/status/1696376707392184424?s=46&t=BcjQ7G3Zjwnno2YXy8srpQ

Dr. John Barentine FRAS on X My colleague Aparna Venkatesan () and I have published an eLetter to regarding its recent special section on light pollution. In it we argue that "the daytime *and* nighttime skies deserve protection as a globally shared heritage." https://t.co/QenAJGwqAo

At our recent presenations we hosted we chatted about why a dark sky reserve is important.

Over the coming days we will share what we spoke about here ⭐️

One of the first things that came up is something we have always known can sometimes be hard for people to comprehend when our Wairarapa skies are so dark. We step out and look up to see millions of stars just with the naked eye.

But this is unique and something not to be taken for granted with 80% of the world not having this same experience simply due to light pollution.

We see the act of seeing our night sky as we do something as important as access to the the hills, rivers and seas surrounding us.

DarkSky International (DSI) has published its "Artificial Light at Night: State of the Science" report for 2023.

The report condenses the contents of over 300 scholarly papers into a short, easy-to-read summary. The results are grouped into seven broad categories: the night sky; ecological impacts; human health; public safety; energy use and climate change; light and social justice, and space light pollution.
DSI said that "Overall the report finds evidence of significant harm to the night sky and wildlife ecology from light pollution on local to global scales."

Read the DSI's press release here:
www.darksky.org/news/artificial-light-at-night-state-of-the-science-2023-report

Access the report here:
www.zenodo.org/record/8071915

Learn how you can combat light pollution and help protect our Mackenzie Region reserve here:
www.darkskyreserve.org.nz/dark-sky-friendly

Save the Date! 20 - 23 October 2024 Starlight Conference

Home - New Zealand Starlight Conference The New Zealand Starlight Conference in Tekapo, New Zealand will take place between the 20th and 23rd of October 2024. The main theme of the Starlight Conferenc

A beautiful read, and very informative ✨✨

Artificial light at night: A research field in action The sun has long set as we descend from the benchlands, a low ridge paralleling Jasper, the picturesque town clinging to a straightaway of railway tracks agains

It’s Conservation Week 2023, save on your power bill, turn the lights off/down around the house, it’ll make a world of difference for your nightlife!🤩

🌟🌃 Calling all star gazers and night sky lovers! Join RASNZ and Dark Sky Network New Zealand's "Globe at Night in New Zealand" campaign! 🌃🌟

We're on a mission to measure the impact of light pollution across our beautiful country and need YOUR help. By participating, you can contribute to preserving our breathtaking night sky.

Find out how you can get involved:
1️⃣ Share this post to spread the word! 📢
2️⃣ Conduct local data collection - every data point matters! 📊
3️⃣ Encourage others in your community to participate. 🤝

Let's unite in protecting our night sky from light pollution. Every bit of data helps us understand and combat this issue better.

For more details, check the link below. Let's shine a light on this issue - by making our nights darker! 💫

https://www.rasnz.org.nz/news-events/observe-with-intent-citizen-science-projects/globe-at-night

Great the lighting companies are getting on board, excellent!

WE-EF Lighting has launched a new generation of luminaires that is geared towards sustainability and offers its users connectivity and future-proofing. Introducing the AFL100 series, with zero uplight therefore protecting our night sky.

🌟 All systems compatible with Standard and Wild-Light
🌟 Reduces light wastage
🌟 Full suite of connectivity options

South Australia has its first International Dark Sky Sanctuary! ✨ The 630km2 Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary was accredited by the International Dark-Sky Association, who said it "embodies all of the qualities that make International Dark Sky Sanctuaries so special – a dark, rugged, and remote environment, protected by a dedicated team of advocates." (Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places Programme Associate)

The area is significant for the Adnyamathanha people, whose cultural connections to the land remain strong and vibrant, with stories that relate directly to the landscape.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this great achievement! 🤩

Read the full article here:
https://www.darksky.org/arkaroola-wilderness-sanctuary-becomes-south-australias-first-international-dark-sky-sanctuary/

Photo information and credit: Griselda Hill above Arkaroola Village and below the Milky Way by Morgan Sette.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=591961526454557&id=100069221439926&mibextid=qC1gEa

The latest reports on the effect of Artificial Light at Night show the devastating effects that light pollution are having on our planet. The article below from the International Dark-Sky Association offers invaluable insight into the report
👉 https://www.darksky.org/artificial-light-at-night-state-of-the-science-2023-report/

Dark Sky Ireland board members Georgia MacMillan and Brian Espey will attend the upcoming Conference in Canada this August to ensure that Ireland are represented on the global stage and equipped with the knowledge to help form policy for the protection of Ireland's night sky.

Click here to read more about ALAN 2023
👉 http://artificiallightatnight.org/

Canterbury dark sky trail tipped to generate $45m Protecting Oxford’s night sky in North Canterbury could bring astronomical sums into the Waimakariri district, with neighbouring regions also ripe...

Fantastic news!✨✨✨

Congrats!!✨✨

Thank you Wairarapa Midweek for celebrating the Bright star awards too 🤩