For millennia, humanity has looked up in awe at the night sky, finding in its silent beauty a profound source of inspiration. This celestial canvas has fueled our greatest achievements in poetry, philosophy, religion, and astronomy. Today, this shared heritage is under threat from the pervasive glow of light pollution.

This presentation will first quantify the consequences of this loss, from wasted energy and damaged ecosystems to compromised human health. But beyond these tangible effects lies a deeper, intangible crisis: a cultural severance from a universe that has always guided us. We will argue that reclaiming the night is essential to preserving our collective story. Finally, we will translate concern into action, offering a pragmatic suite of strategies to restore the stars and ensure this ancient wellspring of wonder endures for generations to come.

BIO

Dr Margarita Metaxa is a Greek astronomer who has contributed significantly to international astronomy education and outreach. A member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) since 2003, she has been active on various commissions. She introduced Greece’s first Astrophysics Summer Schools at the National Observatory of Athens (1996) and first Astrobiology courses (2023).  Currently she is IAU National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) for Greece (2024-2027).

She has coordinated and participated in major projects for the IAU, ESO, MINERVA, and UNESCO. Her research interests include STEAM education, and in 2023 she implemented a NASA-based space program in Arsakeia schools. Her awards include the Silver Prize in the European Awards for Lifelong Learning and recognition from DarkSky International for her pioneer work on light pollution. She has over 50 publications and has presented at conferences worldwide.

Event Details:
When: Tuesday 23 September 2025, 7pm
Speaker: Dr Margarita Metaxa
Seminar: The significance of the preservation of the night sky
Where: The Greek Center, Mezzanine Level, 168 Lonsdale St., Melbourne
Language: English