Central Otago Night Sky Celebration
Matariki and Central Otago International Night Sky Celebration
Afternoon activities for the whole whanau celebrating Matariki and the unique night skies of Central Otago from 12 noon to 4pm at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery. Entry free.
Register to join us for the evening session for the launch of the Central Otago International Dark Sky Reserve Project.
Including:
Presentation by Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve coordinator, Charlotte Harding
Presentation by Island Stars dark sky team from Green Island, Taiwan
The unique Otago Night Skies talk by Professor Brian Boyle
Guided star gazing and astrophotography workshop in Pioneer Park (Weather permitting)
Gallery
Afternoon Session 12 noon to 4pm - Entry Free
Winterstellar Exhibition 2026 - Including a celebration of the Internationally Significant and Unique Night Skies of Central Otago
Get the first look at new art works that will make up part of the Winterstellar 2026 exhibition. It will include incredible new images from International Astrophotography award winning artists Kavan Chay, Tom Rae and Richard Zheng.
Astro Timelapse
The Central Cinema will be showing some of the amazing Winterstellar night sky short films such as rangi takō | clear skies, plus some exclusive views of some of the new footage that will make up part of our next film.
Dark Sky Reserve Info Drop-in Desk
Do you have any questions about what a Dark Sky Reserve is, how it may affect you, and what opportunities it will present? Our panel to help answer you questions includes the coordinator of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
Demonstration of lighting options
We will have expert Lighting Engineer and electrical contractors on hand to help demonstrate the many options there are for outdoor lighting that does not adversely effect night sky quality.
Matariki themed School Holiday activities
The wonderful team at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery will be once more applying their imagination to the development of space related school holiday programme activities.
Evening Session from 4.30pm - Free entry with booking
Presentation by Terrace School "Space" experts
Having recently returned from “Space Camp” in Tekapo, and after conducting a whole semester of space study and citizen science, representatives from Terrace School will demonstrate some of the many things they have learned.
Presentation by Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve coordinator, Charlotte Harding
Presentation by Island Stars dark sky team from Green Island, Taiwan
The unique Otago Night Skies talk by Professor Brian Boyle
Launch of the Central Otago Dark Sky Reserve Project
Guided star gazing and astrophotography workshop in Pioneer Park (Weather permitting)
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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