Winton: Australia's First Dark Sky Community

0:00What's up Sydney? This is Sydney News today. Bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. Winton, a small town deep in the Queensland Outback, has just earned a big honor as the state's first international dark sky community. This certification from Dark Sky International celebrates their efforts to cut light pollution and keep the night skies clear for stargazing. They swapped out street lights for warm colored bulbs and created rules to limit bright outdoor lights in the future. The process took nearly three years of community work, starting back in 2023. Officials say it shows strong local support for protecting those stunning views of stars, nebulous, and more. All visible to the naked eye, far from. City glow. Locals are thrilled with the clear Outback skies. One resident who grew up near the coast called it insane how many stars you can see up close. The mayor set the town as over the moon and rayed to market this gem overseas to draw in more visitors. This makes Winton the second dark sky community in Australia, following one in South Australia.

1:04Nearby, just the 25 kilometer drive away, the jump up at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, got certified as a dark sky sanctuary back in. 2019, making the area extra special for sky watchers. Tourism folks hope this sparks a dark sky highway through Outback towns, boosting visits alongside dinosaur fossils and other attractions. With these two certified spots so close, experts predict even more people will head out to experience the natural night sky. This DNN story comes to you thanks to our sponsor. Headphones in a pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense.