Artificial Light at Night

Despite Australia's expanse of dark skies, it has only one designated Dark Sky Place - The Warrumbungle National Park. Dedicated in 2016 the pristine night skies over the national park joined the International Dark Sky Association's growing global movement of over 100 other parks around the world. Seduced by the astro-tourism an increasing number of families, campers, bushwalkers and enthusiasts are visiting the park. They are now joined by a new interest group - scientists.
With the advent of LED lights and technological breakthroughs councils have a new way to reduce their bottom line, governments can reduce their carbon footprint and industries operate 24/7, but what impact is it having on human and environmental health and well-being?
Ecologists, oncologists and chronobiologists are increasingly uniting to with the message of the importance of our night-time environment. Why, and what can you do to help preserve this precious resource?

Marnie Ogg

Marnie’s drive and enthusiasm have been borne for a stellar career. She started at the grassroots of the travel industry building her own successful travel company, taking people around the world to visit places of scientific interest. She managed Sydney Observatory before devoting her time to one of her passions: preserving the night sky. Thanks largely to Marnie’s unrelenting efforts, in July 2016 the Warrumbungle National Park was designated a Dark Sky Park - the first in Australia. Since then she has spent her time educating the public of this globally expanding movement, re-engaging people with the natural heritage of the night sky and reducing the impacts of lighting pollution. In 2017, Marnie was awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award, presented by the International Dark-Sky Association.