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
Why you should support the proposed outdoor lighting provisions
Kaikōura Dark Sky is a community led project created to help protect the natural darkness of our pristine night sky from ever-increasing risks of light pollution. The charitable trust is … Read more
Stargazing signs help promote the enjoyment of our night sky
Stargazing signs have been installed at six specific locations. Designed to help raise awareness and enjoyment of our amazing Southern skies across the whole of the Kaikōura district. Use the … Read more
Positive Step forward in Kaikōura’s bid for international DarkSky Accreditation
On Wednesday 31 January, Mayor and Councillors unanimously choose to adopt a draft private plan change prepared and lodges by the Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust. The draft plan change will … 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 Posters, Brochures & Guides
Kaikōura Dark Sky FAQ’s
Responsible Lighting Guidelines for Kaikōura
Posters produced for the Dark Sky Expo in May 2023
- Who We Are
- International Dark Sky Assos. & Dark Sky NZ Network
- Our Heritage
- Stargazing in New Zealand
- Enjoy Our Night Sky
- Ecology & Environment
- Light Pollution
- Lighting, Crime, & Safety
- Wasted Energy
- Best Practice Lighting Top tips
- Private Plan Change
Presentations produced for the Dark Sky Expo in May 2023 by Professor Emeritus Phillipa Gander PhD, FRSNZ, ONZM
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 & Media Items
Is street lighting damaging our health?
Protecting the night sky – February 2023
Scores of confused birds crash in Kaikōura, lighting blamed – March 2023
Land of the bright white light – Nov 2023
Videos
Self-guided stargazing video in Kaikōura
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
