New Zealand Starlight Conference
Towards a Dark Sky Nation
20-23 October 2024, Tekapo, New Zealand
Submissions to contribute a presentation or poster have now closed
The New Zealand Starlight Conference in Tekapo, New Zealand will take place between the 20th and 23rd of October 2024.
The main theme of the Starlight Conference 2024 is Dark Skies for All: a Call for Action!
- The action required is to make legislators aware of the need for national legislation to curb light pollution.
- To educate everyone of the benefits of darker skies for human health, for the environment, for astronomers and astrotourists, and for cost savings in power generation. The benefits also extend to combatting climate change by reducing electric power generation.
- The conference wants to engage with lighting engineers so that those advocating darker skies can work with engineers to find solutions to reduce light pollution but still preserve public safety at night. This will be for the mutual benefit of all parties.
- To highlight cultural and aesthetic aspects of a pristine starry night sky and to promote interest in Maori astronomy and Matariki.
- To energize all the communities in New Zealand aspiring to become dark sky places to help them work towards Dark Sky accreditation.
- To further develop the concept of New Zealand as a Dark Sky Nation.
The conference helps to promote New Zealand as a world leader for dark skies protection and astro-tourism. It also highlights the health and environmental impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) by engaging with world experts who contribute conference presentations.
Presentations of the latest research on the hazards of blue light emissions from LED streetlights will be made, so that New Zealand communities, local government officials and lighting engineers can install lights which comply with the best international practices.
Here are the conference schedule and book of abstracts. All participants will receive printed copies on arrival at the conference (so there is no need to print these documents yourselves)
The conference is jointly hosted by the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve (AMIDSR) in Tekapo, New Zealand and by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. AMIDSR was awarded the Dark Sky International (formerly IDA) Dark Sky Place of the Year in 2018. Dark Sky International is a supporting organization for the 2024 Starlight Conference.
We welcome contributors and participants from New Zealand and around the world
- Stakeholders of dark sky places and aspiring dark sky places
- Stargazers and astro-tourists
- Astronomers (amateur and professional)
- Lighting industry participants
- Astro-tourism industry participants
- Environmental and conservation industry participants
- Health industry participants
- Regulators and policy makers in these fields, including local government councillors, staff members and national politicians
- Researchers and Scientists in these fields
- Astro-photographers
- Aesthetes who appreciate the beauty of the night sky
- Celestial navigators, including early Polynesian navigators.
Supporting organisations and international speakers are encouraged to get in touch.
Location of the Starlight Conference 2024
The location of the 2024 New Zealand Starlight Conference is 3 hours south of Christchurch (by road) at:
Lake Tekapo Community Hall
6 Aorangi Crescent, Lake Tekapo, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Your Gateway to Unforgettable Pre- & Post-Conference Tours
Welcome to an exclusive opportunity to explore the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand with Discover New Zealand, the official tour travel agent for the Starlight Conference. Discover this remarkable country with pre- or post-conference tours and save $150 per person. Terms & Conditions apply*.
Tekapo Accommodation
Lake Tekapo village is a major tourist destination for the South Island of New Zealand, and accommodation is often booked a year in advance. Therefore all intending participants are urged to book and pay for their accommodation as early as possible.