Southwest Sky Country Info Night - Launceston 🌠

WHEN
November 12, 2024 at 6:00pm - 8pm
WHERE
Museum Meeting Room, Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk
2 Invermay Rd
Invermay, TAS 7248
Australia
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Katie MacLaren ·
ABOUT

Join the Wilderness Society Lutruwita / Tasmania in supporting our case for a Sanctuary for Southwest Sky Country at our info night at the Museum Meeting Room, Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk.

When: Tuesday November 12th, 6-8pm

This event is free, but please RSVP to confirm your spot!

All of life has evolved with dark skies and a day/night cycle - the circadian rhythm. Night skies connect us with the ancient rhythms of life, and are essential to our understanding of landscape: rivers, mountains, sea and sky.

Lutruwita / Tasmania is a unique and special place at night. The lives of all living things here are considerably less impacted by light pollution than in other places on Earth. Palawa connections to milaythina wurangkili (Sky Country) hold important teachings about place and spirituality, and Lutruwita / Tasmania’s unique ecological systems depend on a strong, predictable circadian rhythm.

Protecting the dark night from light pollution is critical to the environment, wildlife and our wellbeing. Designating the Southwest National Park as a Dark Sky Sanctuary as part of Dark Sky International's International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) program is an important step towards recognising and preserving dark skies in Lutruwita / Tasmania.

Speakers include:

Daisy Allan is a Language & Research Project Officer with the palawa kani Language Program at Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, based in Launceston on Kanamaluka/River Tamar on Palawa country. Daisy shared palawa kani knowledge informing the Southwest Sky Country guide released earlier this year.

Joe Bean is a Dark Skies Campaigner with the Tasmanian Wilderness Society, based in Nipaluna/Hobart. Joe has been collaborating with a range of community groups and enthusiastic community members to build a case for a Sanctuary for Southwest Sky Country, and will be outlining what this opportunity is about and how we can come together to make it happen.

Luke Tscharke (pronounced “Shar-key”) is an Australian landscape photographer based in Hobart, Tasmania. Luke’s work spans nature, infrared, aerial, and nightscape photography, demonstrating his technical skills and creative approach. He dedicates significant time to planning his shoots and carefully analysing weather patterns and locations, including in remote areas of the south west. This meticulous preparation allows him to be in the right place at the right time to capture unique light with his infrared camera or photograph phenomena like the Aurora Australis. Passionate about dark sky preservation, Luke’s astrophotography showcases the beauty of Tasmania’s nights.

Sharolyn Anderson is a Research Scientist based in Fort Worth, Colorado, where she works as a key member of the US National Park Service - Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. Sharolyn has recently undertaken a PhD at Australian National University modelling light pollution using satellite imagery and researching the impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on wildlife, humans, and ecosystems. This research has included a particular focus on ecosystem service valuation around Adelaide, SA. Whilst in Australia, Sharolyn was also integral in the making of Australia’s first Dark Sky Communtiy in Carrickalinga, SA. Sharolyn will be joining us online to share her fantastic research and experiences, and how they might relate to Lutruwita/Tasmania.

Dark Sky Country Info Night Banner

 

This event will take place on the sovereign and unceded lands of the Palawa people, the rightful owners of Lutruwita / Tasmania.

Parking & Public AccessThere is ample parking available within 100 metres of the museum. The museum meeting room is on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible.

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