Announcing the 2024 DarkSky award winners
Thank you to all the award winners and nominees for your continued hard work and dedication to the dark sky movement!
Each year, DarkSky International recognizes and celebrates the incredible achievements of individuals, groups, and communities who are committed to our mission of preserving nighttime environments around the world. Their hard work and dedication informs global communities about the negative impacts of light pollution, supports and strengthens our network of advocates, and inspires us all to keep up the fight to reverse the growing trends of light pollution and save the natural night.
Crawford Hunter Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard Green
Richard Green is awarded the Crawford/Hunter Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary lifetime commitment to light pollution abatement, exemplified by his leadership roles in prominent astronomical organizations, advocacy for dark-sky legislation in Arizona, and dedication to fostering global awareness of dark skies through his work with the International Astronomical Union. His extensive contributions have significantly advanced the mission of protecting the night sky for future generations.
Bob Gent Community Leadership Award: Dark Skies Herefordshire
Dark Skies Herefordshire (DSH) is honored with the Bob Gent Community Leadership Award for their outstanding efforts in combating light pollution through citizen science, advocacy for improved planning policies, and collaborations that promote Herefordshire’s dark skies as a key community asset. Their commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement makes them a deserving recipient of this recognition.
Galileo Award: Miroslav Kocifaj
Professor Miroslav Kocifaj is awarded the Galileo Award for his exceptional contributions to light pollution research over the past fifteen years, including foundational work on radiative transfer theory of skyglow, pioneering estimates of skyglow from satellites and space debris, and the development of the SkyGlow Simulator software package. His research has significantly advanced the understanding of light pollution and its impacts.
The Dr. Arthur Hoag and William T. Robinson Award: Sabine Frank
Sabine Frank is honored with the Dr. Arthur Hoag and William T. Robinson Award for her outstanding dedication to educating governmental organizations, businesses, and the public about the importance of outdoor lighting control ordinances in Germany. Through her tireless efforts and impactful collaborations across various sectors, she has significantly advanced awareness and action on light pollution, building on her prior recognition as a “Dark Sky Defender.”
Wildlife Night Watch Award: Chiara Carucci
Chiara Carucci has been instrumental in advancing wildlife conservation through her leadership in the “Lighting Police,” where she raises awareness about the detrimental impacts of light pollution on sensitive species. Her strategic guidance and dedication to effective outreach have significantly influenced both professionals and the public, making her a deserving recipient of the Wildlife Night Watch Award.
Dark Sky Place of the Year Award: Mayo Dark Sky Park, Ireland
Mayo Dark Sky Park at Wild Nephin National Park receives the Dark Sky Place of the Year Award for its outstanding dedication to dark-sky conservation and education, engaging nearly 30,000 visitors annually while collaborating with local communities to reduce light pollution. Its innovative outreach efforts, including the Mayo Dark Sky Festival and plans for the 2025 ALAN conference, highlight its leadership in preserving the night sky.
Rising Star Awards
Dora Yang
Dora Yang is honored with the Rising Star Award for her exceptional enthusiasm and commitment to dark sky conservation, exemplified by founding the DarkSky Guardians Association in Shenzhen and successfully recruiting over 50 members. Her leadership in organizing impactful science popularization and environmental education activities, such as “Embrace Astronomy, Protect the Stars,” showcases her dedication to fostering awareness and advocacy for the protection of the night sky among her peers.
Night Owls
The Night Owls are awarded the Rising Star Award for their remarkable enthusiasm and commitment to dark sky conservation through their innovative education program, “Embracing the Dark.” This initiative, created by six young individuals, highlights key themes such as the role of fire, stargazing, wildlife at night, and the impacts of light pollution, demonstrating their passion for fostering awareness and appreciation for natural darkness among their peers and community.
Capital of Darkness
The Capital of Darkness team is honored with the Rising Star Award for their innovative project that transformed Mikkeli into a city brand promoting dark sky conservation and natural living. Over seven months, they effectively showcased the benefits of embracing darkness, addressed light pollution in Auli’s bachelor’s thesis, and highlighted the opportunities for education, tourism, and community engagement, fostering a deeper appreciation for natural darkness.
Dark Sky Defender Awards
Shweta Kulkarni
Shweta Kulkarni is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for her transformative AstroTribe project, which empowers tribal youth to become astroguides and actively promotes dark sky conservation and astrotourism. Through her innovative public education campaigns and collaborative partnerships, Shweta has made significant strides in advancing DarkSky’s mission, effectively reducing light pollution and its environmental impacts while fostering community engagement.
XiNyaguthii Carol
Nyaguthii Carol is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for her exceptional leadership within DarkSky Kenya, where she initiated a policy working group to address light pollution at both regional and national levels. Her efforts in managing operations, enhancing member recruitment, and promoting public engagement through citizen science have established a strong foundation for the Kenyan chapter, significantly advancing the mission of preserving night skies and fostering community involvement.
Ken Wishaw
Ken Wishaw is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for his exceptional dedication to dark sky conservation, which began with his transformative experience at a star talk in 2016. His extensive contributions, including publishing research on visual physiology and lighting physics, advising on turtle conservation, and leading initiatives to establish an International Dark Sky Reserve, exemplify his commitment to reducing light pollution and advancing DarkSky’s mission throughout Australia.
Sébastien Vauclair
Sébastien Vauclair is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for his nearly 30 years of dedication to preserving the night sky, including the successful creation and certification of France’s first International Dark Sky Reserve at Pic du Midi. His founding of DarkSkyLab and development of innovative solutions for measuring light pollution further exemplify his exceptional efforts to advance DarkSky’s mission and reduce the environmental impacts of light pollution.
Mohammad Saleh Timar
Mohammad Saleh Timar is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for his impactful 15-year commitment to raising awareness about light pollution through engaging speeches and community outreach. By establishing regular astro tours that showcase the beauty of dark, starry skies, he has inspired enthusiasm for conservation and effectively motivated communities to reduce light pollution.
Rader Lane
Rader Lane is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for his exceptional leadership in the Grand Canyon National Park Dark Skies Program, the largest outreach initiative in the U.S. National Park Service. His efforts in retrofitting over 5,000 light fixtures and engaging more than 48,000 visitors in 2023 have made the Grand Canyon a global leader in dark sky conservation, while his Night Spoken Series serves as an important educational tool on the value of natural darkness.
Silvia Carneiro
Silvia Maria Carneiro de Campos is awarded the Dark Sky Defender Award for her exceptional leadership in promoting dark sky initiatives in Brazil, where she effectively advocates for legislation and cultural change to combat light pollution. Her ability to communicate across Brazil’s diverse cultural landscape and her impactful actions have significantly advanced the mission of preserving night skies in a country with varied ecosystems.
We congratulate and thank all of our nominees and winners!
Want to nominate a person or organization for next year’s awards cycle?
The nomination window for 2025 will open in May.