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
Fyffe House Stargazing Celebration
Local members of the community came together on Wednesday evening at Fyffe House for an informal celebration around the camp fire with hot drinks, toasted marshmallows and the use of … Read more
Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust Achieves Prestigious International Dark Sky Sanctuary Status
Kaikōura, South Island, Aotearoa New Zealand – 12 September 2024 – DarkSky International officially designated Kaikōura as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary today. The twenty-second location globally to earn this … Read more
Private plan change update to the existing lighting provisions
Update August 2024 To meet Dark Sky International (DSI) outdoor lighting standards, updates to the existing Kaikoura lighting provisions were needed. The necessary process is nearly complete, and we expect … 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
Understanding the effects of light pollution
Understanding the updated lighting provisions
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
