Be Informed

There are unlimited resources if you’re interested in learning more about how to enjoy the night sky and how you can protect the night sky. Here are a few recommendations:

News articles

  • Self-guided Stargazing Video

    Self-guided Stargazing Video

    Prepare yourself for the best self-guided stargazing experience anywhere in the district of Kaikōura. Join with Theo & Grace from the Kaikōura Youth Council as they share with you our … Read more

    Read more…

  • Beginners guide to astrophotography

    Beginners guide to astrophotography

    The Kaikōura Astronomer Interest Group have put togetherr their top tips in how to take a nighttime photograph using either a digitial camera or a phone. Give it a go … Read more

    Read more…

  • New eVscope for the community

    New eVscope for the community

    The Kaikōura Community can now enjoy the wonders of the night sky through our very own digital  “eVscope” which was showcased to a small and enthusiastic crowd at the free community stargazing evening on Friday 25th August at Hapuku … Read more

    Read more…

View previous new articles

Resources 

There are unlimited resources if you’re interested in learning more about how to enjoy the night sky and how you can protect the night sky. Here are a few recommendations:

Downloadable Posters, Brochures & Guides

Responsible Lighting Guidelines for Kaikōura 

Blue Light Aotearo

Posters produced for the Dark Sky Expo in May 2023

Websites

Dark Sky Network NZ

DSNNZ resource page

Graphics - Logo

International Dark-Sky Association

IDA resource page

Circle - Font

Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand

RASNZ website

Graphics - Logo

Royal Society Te Apārangi

Royal Society issues and projects page

Apps

Stellarium Plus - Star Map - apk

Stellarium Mobile  – Star Map is a planetarium app that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars. It helps you identify stars, constellations, planets, comets, satellites, and other deep sky objects. It also gives a realistic view of the Milky Way. Use the settings to be sure that your location is correct. Touch and hold the constellations setting to give lots of options.

Constellation - Earth

Constellation Mapstargazing app. Simply point your device towards the sky and this application will display the names of the stars, constellations and planets. You can check the orbital position of the planet in the solar system on a separate screen. You can display the names of about 100 bright stars, constellations, ecliptic, celestial equator, Deep Sky Objects, ISS, Celestial pole, and so on.

Globe at Night - Light

Globe at Night –  Measure the night sky brightness. An international citizen science campaign which invites you to measure & submit you night sky brightness observations. 

Roblox - Symbol

DarkLight – allows you to use your phone at night as a source of red light in the dark. The reason for this is that white light from your phone will spoil your dark adaptation for night vision but red light won’t. 

Articles

Is street lighting damaging our health?

What is a dark Sky?

Light Pollution in Kaikōura

Videos

Self-guided stargazing video in Kaikōura

Dark Sacred Night

Animated showing the effect of night light on nocturnal animals and easy solutions

How blue night affects us in Aotearoa

Interview with John Hearnshaw about the problem with light pollution

Changing the world at the speed of light

Our Supporters

Thank you to all our supporters who have kindly provided free ongoing services & advice or have generously donated funds. You are amazing and the stars will shine a little brighter because of you.

NCTIR
Kaikoura NZ
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Puhi Peaks Kaikoura
Kaikoura District Library - Kaikoura District Council
Logo - Encounter Foundation
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Department of Conservation
Mainpower