{"id":155740,"date":"2016-08-25T12:54:41","date_gmt":"2016-08-25T02:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=155740"},"modified":"2020-10-06T16:45:59","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T06:45:59","slug":"dark-skies-project-moving-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/08\/25\/dark-skies-project-moving-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"Dark Skies Project Moving Ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The full moon rises over Cassis Restaurant at Booie (Photo: Jim Barclay)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Astronomer Jim Barclay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 25, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

Astronomer Jim Barclay’s quest to get the South Burnett listed by the International Dark Skies Association (IDSA) will be taking a breather soon.<\/p>\n

Jim, from the Kingaroy Observatory, has been busy photographing local wineries and tourist attractions this month as part of his quest to get the region put on the “astro tourism” map.<\/p>\n

But he’ll be taking some breaks after September 7 – partly to avoid the moon shedding too much of a glow over his work, and partly to allow the region’s vines to begin budding and putting on leaves.<\/p>\n

This week Jim advised project participants the two best windows coming up for night sky photography after September 7 are September 22-October 7, and October 28-November 7.<\/p>\n

“This project is going to be long and intense as it’s the very first one in Queensland,” Jim said.<\/p>\n

“I’m excited to the hilt.”<\/p>\n

In July, the Warrumbungle National Park in central western NSW was designated Australia\u2019s first IDSA certified International Dark Sky Park, recognising its key role in Australian astronomical research.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jim is working in conjunction with the South Burnett Wine Industry Association and South Burnett tourism operators to photograph the night skies over their properties.<\/p>\n

He will then use the photographs to support his application to IDSA to get the South Burnett listed as a second Australian dark skies site, and hopes to get the South Burnett Regional Council’s backing for the application.<\/p>\n

He also hopes to hold a photographic exhibition of his work at either the Kingaroy Art Gallery or the Wondai Regional Art Gallery when the project is completed.<\/p>\n