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
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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
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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
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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
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
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
Is street lighting damaging our health?
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