New Zealand Starlight Conference - Towards a Dark Sky Nation
20-23 October 2024, Tekapo, New Zealand
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.
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
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
David Welch, IUCN Dark Skies Advisory group, Ottawa, Canada
Dark Sky Places of the World - how they vary and where they are
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Abhishek Wali, Connetics, Christchurch
co-author: Brendan Hayman, Connetics
Road Lighting Design: Strategies for Minimizing Light Pollution and Ensuring Safety
Road Lighting Design: Strategies for Minimizing Light Pollution and Ensuring Safety
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
Brian Boyle, Winterstellar Charitable Trust, Gibbston Highway, Queenstown, NZ
The Kawarau-Gibbston Dark Sky Park
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
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Peter Swanton, Australian National University, Canberra
The Impacts of Light Pollution on Australian Indigenous Sky Knowledges
Victoria Campbell, Dark Sky Project, Ngai Tahu Tourism, Lake Tekapo
Matariki and Māori astronomical knowledge
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
Kyra Xavia, DarkSky International and Lightwise Guild, Dunedin, New Zealand
Embracing Darkness - The Benefits of Nocturnal Placemaking
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Christopher Martin, Vela Science, Christchurch, NZ
Dark Sky Laws and Regulations from Around the World: Best Practices
John Hearnshaw, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ
New Zealand needs national legislation for dark sky protection
Annette Lees, author and conservation strategist, Waitakere, Auckland, NZ
After Dark: A cultural and natural history of night in Aotearoa
Charlotte Harding: Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve, Carterton, NZ
Reflections on the journey - Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve Association
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Nalayini Davies, Royal Astronomical Society of NZ; DarkSky International
Lessons learned from New Zealand and paths forward for NZ and other countries
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
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
Axiou Lin, Taiwan Dark Sky Association, Taipei, Taiwan
An alternative for dark skies in the AI era
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Alasdair Burns, Twinkle Dark Sky Tours, Rakiura Stewart Island, NZ
Five years of the Rakiura International Dark Sky Sanctuary
Leslie van Gelder, Chair, Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary, Glenorchy, Central Otago, NZco-author: Corrine Davis (Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary)
Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary Mīharo: Dark Sky Places, Wonder and the
Creative Arts
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
Nicky McArthur, Kaikōura Dark Sky Trust, Kaikōura
Kaikōura - a four year journey to DarkSky International Sanctuary Accreditation
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
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
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
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
Ping Lei, Melbourne, Australia
Dancing lights: the role of firefly conservation in reducing light pollution
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
SPEAKER
Hidehiko Agata, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
The emotion “Awe” and the effect of the starry sky
Amie Young, Destination Development Manager, Great South, Invercargill, NZ
Dark skies in Murihiku, Southland
Louise Beer, writer, curator and artist, London and Margate, UK
The Transparency of Night.
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
SPEAKER
Bryan Boulanger, Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio, USA
Restoring Natural Nightscapes – Lessons Learned from Supporting Partner Initiatives
over the past 10 Years.
Lin Mei, Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory, Shenzhen, China
Xichong Dark Sky Community – the experience and achievements
Mohammad Saleh Timar, editor of Nojum Magazine, Tehran, Iran
Charting Astro-tourism Trails across Iran's Desert Belt: Stargazing under Majestic
Desert Skies
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
SPEAKER
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
Luca Devescovi, Akaroa Stargazing, Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
From Akaroa to the Stars: Engaging the Public with Astronomy and Dark Sky
Preservation
Kaye Paardekooper, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, Lake Pukaki, South Canterbury, NZ
Astro tourism, how to develop a world class sustainable astrotourism venture
Aryush Aravind, high school student from Irvine, California, USA
Dark Skies for All
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
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
SPEAKER
Michele Bannister, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ
Satellite impacts on southern skies: a journey in observations and policy
Karen Pollard, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Astrophysics Research from an International Dark Sky Reserve
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.
Gareth Davies, DarkSky International and Dark Sky Network New Zealand, Auckland, NZ
Effective path to International Dark Sky Places certification
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
SPEAKER
Darius Singh, Blue Phoenix Group (Fiji) Pte Ltd, Dreketi, Vanua Levu, Fiji
Gaia (Earth) Estate - Fiji's 1st Dark Sky Project
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
Warren Hurley, Dunedin Astronomical Society, Dunedin, NZ
A new astronomy outreach tool
Lydia Stoddart, Mackenzie Tourism, Christchurch, NZ
The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Story