1. SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM
▪ Dark Sky and its preservation,
▪ Astro-tourism,
▪ Dark skies, cultural astronomy, and astronomical heritage,
▪ Dark skies for science and technological developments.
▪ Policy and implementation framework of dark and quiet sky,
▪ Education, outreach and development activities of dark skies and Astro-tourism
1.2 PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:
Session 1. Dark sky and its preservation
This section will thoroughly discuss and address impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) and city expansion on dark skies preservation, science of astronomy (optical & radio astronomy), the bio-environment and human health.
- Artificial Light at Night (ALAN)
○ Artificial light pollution and City expansion
○ Astronomical Site Protection
○ Ground-based Astronomy Observation
○ Bio-Environment and Human Health
○ Impact of Satellite Constellations
○ Impact on Radio astronomy
- Measuring and Modeling ALAN
Session 2. Astro-Tourism
This session will give emphasis on the connection of Astro-tourism with dark sky, terrestrial Astro-tourism, ecotourism, cultural and heritage Astro-tourism that imparted on the sustainable socio-economic development and cultural dialogue. In addition, it will showcase the experience, challenges and opportunities of Astro-tourism worldwide from national, regional, continental levels of perspectives.
● Astro-tourism and Socio-economic development.
● Tourism as cultural dialogue
● Experience, challenges and opportunities of Astro-tourism
Session 3. Dark skies, cultural astronomy, and astronomical heritage
This session will deal with how ancient people thought and perceived the sky, evidence relating to the practice of astronomy and to social uses; existence in the form of the tangible remains of monuments, sites and landscapes; the exploration of archeology; the traditions and knowledge systems of cultures around the world relating to astronomical phenomena. Thus, scientific studies, and reports about Cultural astronomy; Archeoastronomy; Ethnoastronomy and astronomical heritages will be presented and discussed
- Cultural astronomy
• Archeoastronomy • Ethnoastronomy - Astronomical heritage
Session 4. Dark skies for science and technological developments.
Astronomy has always been known for its technology-driven nature and equipped with cutting edge technologies in exploring the universe and discovering new phenomena. This section gives emphasis on the technology and innovation developments, knowledge transfers, that provide solutions for solving the current problems and issues pertaining to the effect of ALAN on the dark sky.
This session will also focus on contributing scientific ideas that will support in preserving and conserving dark skies and pave the way for technological innovation to govern as well as optimize light pollution. Scientific knowledge transfer through tourism, astronomical observation, ecological conservation, and the invention of moderate light emitting lamps will also be discussed.
Session 5. Policy and implementation framework of a dark and quiet sky
This session focuses on how to mitigate light pollution and preserve dark and quiet skies by generating ideas and possible recommendations; proposing directives in implementing the recommended ideas by national and local governments to establish a suitable number of “dark sky oases” and protect them from excessive ALAN. This session will also propose possible mechanisms on how to preserve and utilize dark sky resources, and set recommendations to be acted upon by international and local decision makers.
Session 6. Education, outreach and development
This session deals with how education, outreach and development activities imparted the importance of dark skies and Astro-tourism for socio-economic development of the society. Different countries experiences on outreach and educational activities and implemented projects of Astro-tourism and dark sky will be shared and presented
○Dark sky and Astro-tourism education
○Dark sky and Astro-tourism Outreach
○Dark sky and Astro tourism for development
PROGRAMS DURING AND BEFORE THE SYMPOSIUM
A. DURING THE SYMPOSIUM
- Public talk– at least two prominent professionals in the field will give public lecture on selected universities or public places
- Poster marathons: posters session will beduring health breaks
- Special lunch session – focus on Astro-tourism development in Africa
- Panel discussion (regarding the status of dark sky and natural heritage utilization and preservation in Africa, and the world as a whole, the Potential for Astro-tourism Development)
- Parallel side meetings/ lunch session
- African Integrated Observation System (AIOS)
- IAUGA2024 working groups meetings
- Exhibition: Exhibition booth that displays the tourism and different science activities
B. BEFORE THE SYMPOSIUM
Awareness creation and Capacity building on Dark Sky & Astro-Tourism (CBT-DA)
There will be three days of training on ‘Dark sky and Astro-tourism Outreach capacity building’ training for selected young and early career professionals in astronomy as well as people working in the Astro-tourism industry (Tour guide, culture & tourism office workers, Tour business owners). The training is more focused on awareness creation and popularization about the dark skies and astronomical heritage, developing skills on how to preserve and use the dark sky for Astro-tourism, scientific research on light pollution, added values of dark sky in tourism sectors and boosting socio-economic benefits for sustainable development. As a component of the training, there will also be a panel discussion part whereby participants and trainers will share the experience of progress and activities of Astro-tourism from the country level and regional perspectives of Africa. The Capacity Building Training on Dark sky and Astro-tourism (CBT-DA) is targeted audiences of scientific communities working on astronomy and Space Science on dark sky and its conservation, Astro-tourism, stakeholders working in the Astro-tourism and Tourism industry (Tour guides, culture & tourism office workers, Tour business owners), decision and policymakers of governmental officials.
Beyond the capacity building and awareness creation the end goal of the CBT-DA is to craft(produce) an input report document and resolution from the CBT-DA and IAU386 symposium that can be used to lay down the foundation (building stone) to formulate the strategy for African dark sky and Astro-tourism lead by the three OAD-ROAD offices in Africa (south, East and west Africa ROADS) as one part of IAUGA2024 legacy.
C. At the End of the Symposium:
The participants will visit the Entoto Observatory and Research Center (EORC), National museum, some potential astronomical sites for tourists and nearby Ethiopian historical heritage