In March, we hosted another engaging edition of the Full Moon Mashup series, featuring a thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Daniel Mokhohlane. Dr. Mokhohlane, who recently completed his PhD, shared his research on the societal impact of mega astronomy infrastructures—specifically the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)—on rural communities in South […]
Category Archives: Flagship 1
14
Jan
Jan
As the astrotourism and dark sky tourism sectors grow globally, there is a strong need to advocate for responsible tourism that both protects the environment and prioritises sustainability. Drawing from the unique contexts of night sky tourism and lessons learned from the broader tourism sector, DarkSky International has released a new set of guiding principles […]
25
Nov
Nov
The Office of Astronomy for Development participated in the Under One Sky global conference organised by Dark Sky international. With more than 1000 registered participants, the conference covered a wide range of topics from wildlife ecologists discussing the impact of light pollution on marine environments to tourism experts in the Middle East emphasizing the economic […]
2023, A small corner of the stars : An initiative for development of local communities in "La Tatacoa", Latin America + Caribbean
Colombian Project Fosters Astrotourism Among Local Community
16
Oct
Oct
This project aimed to leverage the rich natural, heritage, and cultural resources of Tatacoa to enhance science education and astrotourism. Located in southern Colombia, Tatacoa is renowned for its clear skies, minimal light pollution, and diverse landscapes, making it an ideal site for astronomical observations and scientific tourism. We adopted a multi-faceted approach to achieve […]
14
Oct
Oct
At the IAU-OAD we are exploring ways to use astronomy for sustainable socioeconomic development. Astrotourism, or tourism activities involving the night sky, have the potential to generate economic benefits in a way that both contribute to sustainable development and protect the natural resource of dark skies. Our Astrotourism flagship directly links astronomy and tourism, harnessing its potential […]
