The Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory is seeking the support of the community to turn the area surrounding the GDC into a dark sky reserve.
This dark sky reserve would be the first of its kind in Western Australia, and the third in Australia. We are proposing a total light exclusion zone for 10km around the GDC precinct, and then regulated light for 20km around the precinct.
The purpose of the dark sky reserve is to protect the future visual quality surrounding the GDC area, from increasing “Sky Glow” (the glow produced by outdoor lighting such as streetlights, recreational oval lights, advertising lights etc). This would allow us to continue the operation of our optical telescopes and astronomy related activities, such as; education, science, tourism, international scientific collaborations and Indigenous cultural education.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 26, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
March 24, 2018
56 Comments
This needs to happen! Western Australia is an important location for optical (and radio) astronomy. It's unique Longitude fills an important observational gap between the east coast and South Africa.
My son is 8 years old and is space obsessed, he has a telescope so I would love something like this to be available to him in the future. We are planning a camping trip to the area over the school holidays especially for him so we can check out the observatory.
Keeping the skies dark ensures the future of the GDC. Our light pollution in the suburban area already greatly reduces the visible stars and planets. It's cheaper to do this than having to build another telescope and associated buildings.
It is important to preserve the dark skies, particularly in the GDC Observatory area, as once development encroaches closer, the dark skies will be lost forever.
Australia’s future at the forefront of the global knowledge economy depends on facilities such as the GDC. Safeguarding the ability of the GDC Observatory to operate at maximum efficiency is critical to ensuring Australia remains an important player in the global astronomy game.
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The Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory is seeking the support of the community to turn the area surrounding the GDC into a dark sky reserve.
This dark sky reserve would be the first of its kind in Western Australia, and the third in Australia. We are proposing a total light exclusion zone for 10km around the GDC precinct, and then regulated light for 20km around the precinct.
The purpose of the dark sky reserve is to protect the future visual quality surrounding the GDC area, from increasing “Sky Glow” (the glow produced by outdoor lighting such as streetlights, recreational oval lights, advertising lights etc). This would allow us to continue the operation of our optical telescopes and astronomy related activities, such as; education, science, tourism, international scientific collaborations and Indigenous cultural education.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 26, 2018
Reached 100 supporters
March 24, 2018
56 Comments
If you live in Perth and haven't been to Gravity Discovery Centre lately, it's well worth a visit! But the spectacular view of the night sky is under threat from our sprawling city (and it's lights). A Dark Sky Reserve doesn't mean total blackout - the regulations are quite manageable. Tekapo in NZ is a good example.
This needs to happen! Western Australia is an important location for optical (and radio) astronomy. It's unique Longitude fills an important observational gap between the east coast and South Africa.
My son is 8 years old and is space obsessed, he has a telescope so I would love something like this to be available to him in the future. We are planning a camping trip to the area over the school holidays especially for him so we can check out the observatory.
Keeping the skies dark ensures the future of the GDC. Our light pollution in the suburban area already greatly reduces the visible stars and planets. It's cheaper to do this than having to build another telescope and associated buildings.
It is important to preserve the dark skies, particularly in the GDC Observatory area, as once development encroaches closer, the dark skies will be lost forever.
Australia’s future at the forefront of the global knowledge economy depends on facilities such as the GDC. Safeguarding the ability of the GDC Observatory to operate at maximum efficiency is critical to ensuring Australia remains an important player in the global astronomy game.
1
1
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If you live in Perth and haven't been to Gravity Discovery Centre lately, it's well worth a visit! But the spectacular view of the night sky is under threat from our sprawling city (and it's lights). A Dark Sky Reserve doesn't mean total blackout - the regulations are quite manageable. Tekapo in NZ is a good example.