New Zealand Starlight Conference - Towards a Dark Sky Nation

20-23 October 2024, Tekapo, New Zealand

Conference Report

Conference Programme

Conference Abstracts

Icon Session One
Dark sky places and the global scene

Chair: Nalayini Davies

Ruskin Hartley, Executive Director of DarkSky International, Tucson Arizona, USA 

The hidden costs of light: How preserving natural darkness protects our world.
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SPEAKER
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Annika Jägerbrand, Gävle University, Gävle, Sweden

What to report in studies of anthropogenic light and light pollution

Ellen Cieraad, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Light vs. Dark: Navigating night sky perceptions in Aotearoa New Zealand
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David Welch, IUCN Dark Skies Advisory group, Ottawa, Canada

Dark Sky Places of the World - how they vary and where they are
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Icon Session Two
Lighting technology and dark skies

Chair: John Hearnshaw

Susan Mander, Massey University, Albany, Auckland and Auckland University of Technology

Trends and Impacts of Outdoor Lighting
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SPEAKER
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Abhishek Wali, Connetics, Christchurch

co-author: Brendan Hayman, Connetics
Road Lighting Design: Strategies for Minimizing Light Pollution and Ensuring Safety
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Andrea Sosa, CURE - Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay

co-authors: Florencia Reichmann, Andrés Olivera, Susana Colmegna, Santiago Roland, Macarena Risso, Keving Mendoza, Fabiana Guadalupe, Camila Gianotti, Valentina Pezano (Universidad de la República), Mariana Pérez (ONG Ambá), Fefo Bouvier (professional astrophotographer) & Pablo Chavarría (UTAP – Intendencia de Montevideo)

Dark Sky Protection in Uruguay
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Brian Boyle, Winterstellar Charitable Trust, Gibbston Highway, Queenstown, NZ

The Kawarau-Gibbston Dark Sky Park
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Steve Butler, Chair of Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Board, chair of the Dark Skies group of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand

Dark Skies by Design
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Icon Session Three
Light Pollution and Cultural Heritage

Chair: Margaret Austin

Joan Marie Galat, Author and freelance writer/editor, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dark Matters: Using Stories to Promote Dark Skies
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SPEAKER
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Peter Swanton, Australian National University, Canberra

The Impacts of Light Pollution on Australian Indigenous Sky Knowledges
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Victoria Campbell, Dark Sky Project, Ngai Tahu Tourism, Lake Tekapo

Matariki and Māori astronomical knowledge
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Ladislaus Batinoluho, Dark-Sky Tanzania and Harrieth Mtae, the Open University of Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Exploration of Astronomical Traditional Knowledge: a tool for promoting astrotourism in Tanzania
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Kyra Xavia, DarkSky International and Lightwise Guild, Dunedin, New Zealand

Embracing Darkness - The Benefits of Nocturnal Placemaking
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Icon Session Four
Light Pollution Legislation
Light Pollution and the Environment

Chair: Karen Pollard

Yana Yakushina, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium

Light Pollution Regulations and Where to Find Them
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SPEAKER
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Christopher Martin, Vela Science, Christchurch, NZ

Dark Sky Laws and Regulations from Around the World: Best Practices
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John Hearnshaw, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ

New Zealand needs national legislation for dark sky protection
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Nicky McArthur, Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust, Kaikōura, NZ

Kaikōura - a four year journey to DarkSky International Sanctuary Accreditation
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Charlotte Harding: Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve, Carterton, NZ

Reflections on the journey - Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve Association
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Icon Session Five
Light pollution as a global environmental issue (part 1)
Astrotourism (part 1)

Chair: Steve Butler

Annika Jägerbrand, Gävle University, Gävle, Sweden 

Outdoor Lighting and Sustainability: Ecological Impacts and Future Directions
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SPEAKER

Nalayini Davies, Royal Astronomical Society of NZ; DarkSky International

Lessons learned from New Zealand and paths forward for NZ and other countries
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Laeticia Jacobs, Department of Tourism, Pretoria, South Africa

A strategy for the stars - A tourism response to sustainable development, community and preserving our Dark Night Sky
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Shu An Hsu, Taiwan Ocean Wayfinding Association, Lake Tekapo, NZ

co-authors: Paichi Pat Shein (National Sun Yat-sen University, Taiwan) and Chien Wen Chen (National Taiwan Ocean University)

The Dark-Sky Movement in Taiwan: Preserving the Starry Night across Diverse Landscapes and Cultures
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Axiou Lin, Taiwan Dark Sky Association, Taipei, Taiwan

An alternative for dark skies in the AI era
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Icon Session Six
Light pollution as a global environmental issue (part 2)
Astrotourism and Dark Sky Places in New Zealand (part 2)

Chair: Nalayini Davies

Johan Eklöf, EnviroPlanning, Ulricehamn, near Gothenburg, Sweden

Bats, insects, and light pollution - How we slowly kill the night
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SPEAKER
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Alasdair Burns, Twinkle Dark Sky Tours, Rakiura Stewart Island, NZ

Five years of the Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary
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Leslie van Gelder, Chair, Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, Glenorchy, Central Otago, NZ

co-author: Corrine Davis (Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary)

Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary Mīharo: Dark Sky Places, Wonder and the Creative Arts
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The Hon Matt Doocey, National MP for Waimakariri, NZ Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

New Zealand's Dark Sky Stewardship and the Value of Dark Skies for New Zealand Tourism
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Icon Session Seven
Light pollution as a global environmental issue (part 3)

Chair: Ellen Cieraad

Bridgette Farnworth, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Nelson

co-author: Ellen Cieraad (NMIT)

The ecological impact of light at night in New Zealand: a decade of data
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SPEAKER
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Elizabeth Atchoi, Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS, University of the Azores, Portugal

co-authors: Mindaugas Mitkus (Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania), Joël Bried (Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS, University of the Azores, Portugal), Manuela Juliano (Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS, University of the Azores), Tânia Pipa (Sociedade para o estudo e proteção das aves, SPEA), Azucena Martin (Sociedade para o estudo e proteção das aves, SPEA), Airam Rodríguez (Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, MNCN, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.

Advances in the research on the interplay between seabird vision and artificial light
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Cesar San Miguel, Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Canberra, Australia

co-authors: Karen Arthur (DCCEEW, Canberra), Narelle Montgomery (DCCEEW) and Kelly Pendoley (Australasian Dark Sky Alliance, Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, Perth, WA)

Improving light pollution management for wildlife
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Robert Dick, IUCN Dark Skies Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada

co-author: David Welch, IUCN Dark Skies Advisory Group, Ottawa, Canada

The World at Night: a new report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature
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Ping Lei, Melbourne, Australia

Dancing lights: the role of firefly conservation in reducing light pollution
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Icon Session Eight
Astrophotography and astroaesthetics
Astrotourism (part 3)

Chair: John Hearnshaw

Steve Chadwick, Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ

Beauty in the Stars: a journey through the cosmos
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
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Jianfeng (Jeff) Dai, Chongqing, China

Capture the Wonder of the sky
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Amie Young, Destination Development Manager, Great South, Invercargill, NZ

Dark skies in Murihiku, Southland
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Hidehiko Agata, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan

The emotion “Awe” and the effect of the starry sky
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Louise Beer, writer, curator and artist, London and Margate, UK

The Transparency of Night.
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Icon Session Nine
Light pollution and human health (part 1)
Astrotourism (part 4)

Chair: Ellen Cieraad

Mario Motta, former trustee American Medical Association, Boston, Mass., USA

Medical effects of light pollution
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
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Bryan Boulanger, Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio, USA

Restoring Natural Nightscapes – Lessons Learned from Supporting Partner Initiatives over the past 10 Years.
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Lin Mei, Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory, Shenzhen, China

Xichong Dark Sky Community – the experience and achievements
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Mohammad Saleh Timar, editor of Nojum Magazine, Tehran, Iran

Charting Astro-tourism Trails across Iran's Desert Belt: Stargazing under Majestic Desert Skies
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Icon Session Ten
Light pollution, human health (part 2)
Astrotourism (part 5)

Chair: Karen Pollard

Philippa Gander, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Light Pollution and Human Health
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
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Alexander Tups,

Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Brain Health Research Centre, Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, NZ

The importance of maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm for metabolic health, immunity and behaviour
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Luca Devescovi, Akaroa Stargazing, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand

From Akaroa to the Stars: Engaging the Public with Astronomy and Dark Sky Preservation
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Kaye Paardekooper, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, Lake Pukaki, South Canterbury, NZ

Astro tourism, how to develop a world class sustainable astrotourism venture
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Aryush Aravind, high school student from Irvine, California, USA

Dark Skies for All
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Icon Session Eleven
Satellite constellations and astronomy
Dark sky places of the world

Chair: Steve Butler

Connie Walker, NOIRLab and International Astron. Union, Center for Protection of Dark & Quiet Skies (CPS), Tucson, Arizona, USA

Protecting observatory sites from the growing satellite constellation interference - the IAU CPS
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SPEAKER
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Michele Bannister, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ

Satellite impacts on southern skies: a journey in observations and policy
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Karen Pollard, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Astrophysics Research from an International Dark Sky Reserve
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Benyan Jiang, Guangzhou University, China

co-authors: Shuyi Jian (Guangzhou University), Jianchuan Zheng (Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory) and Jianjun Li (Guangzhou University)

Light pollution and radiation distance in urban ecological space during the Guangzhou International Light Festival.
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Gareth Davies, DarkSky International and Dark Sky Network New Zealand, Auckland, NZ

Effective path to International Dark Sky Places certification
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Icon Session Twelve - Astrotourism (part 6)

Chair: Adrien Vilquin Barrajon

Carol Redford, Astrotourism WA, Perth, Western Australia

Astrotourism Towns: Leveraging Dark Sky Tourism and Total Solar Eclipses to Reduce Light Pollution
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
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Darius Singh, Blue Phoenix Group (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Dreketi, Vanua Levu, Fiji

Gaia (Earth) Estate - Fiji's 1st Dark Sky Project
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Koki Sawada, Wakayama University, Wakayama, Japan

co-authors: Tatsuki Yonezawa (Kimino Town Misato Astronomical Observatory) and Masami Okyudo (Nara Prefectural University)

Revisiting the relation between the establishment of public astronomical observatory and national policy in Japan
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Warren Hurley, Dunedin Astronomical Society, Dunedin, NZ

A new astronomy outreach tool
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Lydia Stoddart, Mackenzie Tourism, Christchurch, NZ

The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Story
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