News articles
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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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Satellite constellations – efforts to avoid a swarming sky
During the International Dark Sky Week we were incredible fortunate to have Michele Bannister join our community evening and talk about satellites and the work being done to control our … Read more
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Children’s Art Competition winners
Clearly lots of budding artists in Kaikoura! Thanks to everyone who entered the International Dark Sky Week 2022 children’s art art competition. There were so many amazing creations. The winners … Read more
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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
