What does this project do?

A follow up from last year’s campaign “Know your night sky”, this project provides a new and meaningful way for Wellingtonians to connect to their night sky.  

Become a citizen scientist who actively contributes data in support of our understanding of the everchanging environment!  

We measure the light pollution in our city and share the data with the international DarkSky community, through the Globe at Night initiative, whose platforms we are using. While ‘looking after our night sky’ we raise awareness for the importance of the dark skies and the dangers of light pollution. We want good quality lighting at night and the chance to see the night sky.  

Stars in the night sky

Can you already figure out the star patterns in our night sky?  

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Use the knowledge you have of the stars to support the science of good lighting, take part in ‘Look after our night sky‘ project.  We aim to provide support for this project by organising presentations, panels, and offering general support.  If you have any questions, please contact us.

Starry night with a figure standing

Would you like to learn more about the stars and where to find them in the night sky? 

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Come to Space Place and attend any one of our night sky presentations. Our amazing presenters will give you an overview of what’s in the sky.  

Feel like you would like to learn more? 

Come to our Stargazing 101 course. There is a special light pollution segment within the course where we discuss light pollution and the importance of the dark skies.

Our follow up course, Telescope 101, will take you deeper into the Universe. Once you operate a telescope, you will see why light pollution matters for stargazing.

Colourful lights

Why your contribution is important to us.

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As LED lights increasingly replace older technologies for outdoor lighting, astronomers are left asking whether the night sky is getting brighter or darker as a result. While they can measure changes at professional observatories, understanding what’s going on in backyards around the world is a lot harder, and they’re turning to the public for help.  

Your contributions will be used to understand the effects of artificial lighting, making the difference not only for astronomy and preserving our night sky heritage but also further the research on wildlife, health and energy consumption and cost.    

Join us in looking after our night sky! 

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