For humans all over the planet, and all across time, the night sky has been a catalyst for storytelling. Different cultures paint the dark with their own stories of the stars, about where they are, who they are, and what they believe.
Many parts of New Zealand enjoy uninterrupted views of the Milky Way at night – but in urban areas, stargazing is increasingly hampered by light pollution. Photo: Eyrie Photography
Follow Our Changing World on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRADIO, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic or wherever you listen to your podcasts
This isn’t some ancient, forgotten art – it’s alive, and it’s organic. Victoria Campbell, a passionate educator of Mātauraka Māori and Māori astronomy says the most special star to her is Rehua.
“Rehua in particular is associated with knowledge. And as an educator, I find a really special connection there to be able to bring forth kōrero, or dialogue and discussion, about knowledge for the benefit of us going forward as a nation, and as a population,” she says.
The Milky Way. Photo: Max Balloch
New Zealand has some of the most pristine skies on the planet. Those living in rural areas bathe in the lights of the universe and embrace the warm hug of the Milky Way that streams across the sky.
But for most people on Earth, the sky is being smudged out.
While many New Zealanders enjoy darkness, over half are left blinded by light pollution. Fifty-six percent of kiwis cannot see the Milky Way in the night sky, due to the light pollution leaking out from urban environments.
But it can be stopped, and we could have dark skies once again.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about the magic of the night sky, and how it can be restored.
