The New Zealand Starlight Conference in Tekapo, New Zealand will take place between the 20th and 23rd of October 2019.
- The main theme of the conference is to develop the concept of New Zealand as the World’s First Dark Sky Nation. We will do this by bringing together all the numerous groups in Aotearoa who already have dark sky accreditation from the International Dark Sky Association, or who aspire to do so in the near future.
- We will continue to promote New Zealand as a world leader for dark skies and astro-tourism.
- We will highlight the health and environmental impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) by engaging with world experts who will make presentations at the Starlight Conference.
- We will make local government officials and lighting engineers aware of the latest research on the hazards of blue light emissions from LED streetlights, so that New Zealand communities can install lights which comply with the best international practices.
Tickets & Registration are now available online, click here.
This conference will be hosted by the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve (AMIDSR) in Tekapo, New Zealand which was awarded the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) Dark Sky Place of the Year 2018.
We expect the New Zealand Starlight Conference to bring together participants from multiple different backgrounds to discuss the inter-related themes of dark-sky protection, the effects of artificial light at night on star-gazing, the environment and on human health and all aspects of lighting technology and astro-tourism. The following will all be very welcome as contributors and participants, whether from New Zealand or 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
This will be an independently organised but IDA endorsed conference. Supporting organisations and international speakers are encouraged to get in touch.
We welcome proposals from any participants who wish to present a talk or a poster at the conference. If you wish to give a paper please email John Hearnshaw (john.hearnshaw@canterbury.ac.