A great Matariki event this morning with around 60 attendees braving the early morning start including Councillor Deli Connell and MP Scott Simpson. The weather wasn’t completely co-operative with quite a few clouds around, but we did get good views of Jupiter and a fleeting glance of Matariki, and the sausages and coffee were well received by everyone. A big THANKYOU to all those who came – it is a really important part of our application for DarkSky accreditation to demonstrate strong community support, and we are certainly doing that.
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Another Dark Sky Community event scheduled for early morning Saturday July 15th – a great way to celebrate the Matariki Holiday!
Interesting article from the UK – this is why we need our DAC!
Stars could be invisible within 20 years as light pollution brightens night skies
www.theguardian.com
The increased use of light-emitting diodes is obscuring our view of the Milky Way as well as taking a toll on human and wildlife health
The Kūaotunu Dark Sky (KDS) Trust has a significant role to play gong forward, as can be seen from the objectives set out in the Trust deed:
· to achieve and maintain International Dark Sky Community Status for the area defined in the map attached in the Schedule (along with any additional or altered area as the Trustees may determine in the future) with the International Dark Sky Association;
· to advocate for the reduction of light pollution and artificial light at night (ALAN) in our natural and built environments, including the relevant lighting of urban streets, rural roads, residences, businesses, public venues, and spaces;
· to protect the dark skies of the Kūaotunu Peninsula district in collaboration with the Thames Coromandel District Council and the Department of Conservation;
· to work with mana whenua to recognise the cultural significance and natural heritage of dark skies;
· to promote an appreciation of the night sky, of the environment and of the science of astronomy, including the effects of light pollution on the environment and the night sky, by helping organise special educational and/or cultural events for the general public of New Zealand from time to time;
· to produce long-term social and health benefits and better protection of the Kūaotunu Peninsula environment and ecological systems;
· to report on our activities to interested parties including Thames Coromandel District Council, Destination Hauraki Coromandel, the Department of Conservation, Environment Waikato, Dark Sky Network NZ, the International Dark Sky Association, and any other organisation as may be appropriate;
· to embrace and educate our community and the wider New Zealand public with events to understand the importance of protecting the beauty within our night sky landscape.
We are looking forward to working with all our supporters towards achieving these objectives!
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