News articles
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Enter the Night Sky Categories @ the Kaikōura A&P Show
Be inspired to enter a painting or photo of the wonder of our amazing night sky into the 2023 Kaikōura A&P Show to be held on Saturday 25th February. Painting … Read more
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Creating a nightscape selfie
Curious as to how this selfie at the Old Wharf in Kaikōura was taken? Professional photographer, Neil Protheroe took this “light on the stars” by setting the camera on a … Read more
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Kaikōura Dark Sky Website Launched
The vision held by a group of passionate volunteers to achieve International Dark Sky status for Kaikōura is growing momentum. Recently established as the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust, their new website https://kaikouradarksky.nz/ is packed full of useful tips on how to enjoy and protect our local exceptional night skies.
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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 Brochures & Guides
Responsible Lighting Guidelines for Kaikōura
Websites
Dark Sky Network NZ
International Dark-Sky Association
Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
Royal Society Te Apārangi
Apps
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 Map – stargazing 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 – Measure the night sky brightness. An international citizen science campaign which invites you to measure & submit you night sky brightness observations.
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?
Videos
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
