Introduction
One of Scotland’s greatest natural treasures is its extensive areas of land with minimal light pollution, where we can still observe truly dark skies. Importantly, such areas can be accessed with some ease. Scottish dark skies have their well-known and expansive counterpart above what is now Canada. It is therefore natural for the University of Aberdeen and the University of Calgary — alongside other partners — to come together in the exploration of this phenomenon.The workshop will explore this theme from a multidisciplinary perspective. In the context of the humanities, we will ask how the experience of being exposed to skies unpolluted by artificial light shaped the development of human culture, religion, and science in antiquity. Modern sciences will bring other pertinent questions, such as what the term ‘dark sky’ actually means in terms of physics, or how light pollution affects fauna, flora, and humans. Further, legal and ethical aspects of light pollution will be discussed in the context of policymaking. In exploring these questions, we will gain insights also from observational practices grounded in community knowledge.
This exploratory workshop will take place on the campus of the University of Aberdeen in Old Aberdeen but with hybrid delivery of lectures and presentations, welcoming participants and speakers in person and online alike. The event is open to professional academics, students at all levels, pupils of secondary schools, policymakers, and members of the public. It is envisaged as the first in a series of events dedicated to dark skies, in the past and today.
Co-operation Partners
Keynote Speakers
British Academy Visiting Fellow at the University College London
with the project "Cosmology, Astronomy, and Theology in the Dead Sea Scrolls" (2026)
Director of the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory
& Member of the Committee for the Protection of Astronomy and the Space Environment (COMPASSE),
the American Astronomical Society
Programme
See below or Download a PDF file.All times: Mountain Time / British Summer Time / Gulf Standard Time.
All in-room activities will be streamed online.
You are welcome to register for the whole event or just for selected sessions.
Last update: 18 June 2026.
I. Introduction to Dark Skies
Sunday, 28 June
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Venue: New King’s, NK10
8:15/15:15/18:15
8:20/15:20/18:20
8:30/15:30/18:30
history of science
Mapping Time and Space – The First Ancient Astronomers
9:30/16:30/19:30
islamic traditions
Astronomical Observations in Rural Palestine – Two Generations Ago
10:15/17:15/20:15
10:45/17:45/20:45
astronomy
Did you Know the Stars are Disappearing?
– What the world is losing as a result of the overuse of light at night
11:45/18:45/21:45
indigenous science
Reconnecting with the Sky Ancestors
12:30/19:30/22:30
Dark Skies in the Past and Today
II. Delving into Dark Skies
Monday, 29 June
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Venue: Sir Duncan Rice Library, Seminar Room 224
4:00/11:00/14:00
biology
The Need for Darkness – The effects of light pollution on nature
4:30/11:30/14:30
astronomy
Dark Skies Then and Now: The Impact of Light Pollution on Meteor Observations
5:00/12:00/15:00
5:30/12:30/15:30
jewish studies
The Moon in late antique Jewish Imagery
6:00/13:00/16:00
scottish history
Observations by Moonlight: The Midnight Excursions of William MacGillivray
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6:30/13:30/16:30
7:30/14:30/17:30
ancient jewish literature
Night, Dawn, and Deliverance – Darkness Imagery in the David Traditions of the Books of Samuel and the Psalms
8:00/15:00/18:00
cultural history
Between Heaven and Earth – The Aesthetics of the Night Sky in Chinese Art
8:30/15:30/18:30
9:00/16:00/19:00
law
Towards Justiciability of the Right to Dark Skies
9:30/16:30/19:30
astronomy
Dark Sky Protection in Practice – Implementing Standards for Observational Environments and Advancing Regional Chapter Development
10:00/17:00/20:00
10:30/17:30/20:30
astronomy
Getting Around Light Pollution? Can we use modern technology to reclaim the stars?
11:00/18:00/21:00
discussion
Multidisciplinary Approaches to Dark Skies
III. Engaging with Dark Skies
Tuesday, 30 June
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Main venue: Sir Duncan Rice Library, 7th Floor, Craig Suite
We are joined by students from Harlaw Academy (Aberdeen), in the company of their teachers, Adrian McKinney and Ross McKenzie.
2:00/9:00/12:00
history of science
Where is the Sun at night? Heavenly Abode of Luminaries in Ancient Near Eastern Literature
2:30/9:30/12:30
art history
Kaleidoscopic Horizons – Painting the Aurora Borealis
3:00/10:00/13:00
practical astronomy
Gazing at the Sun over the Sea and Earth
Telescope Observations from the top floor of the Library,
4:00/11:00/14:00
4:30/11:30/14:30
ancient history
A glimmer of darkness and traverse into the light
5:00/12:00/15:00
presentations
Ancient Religion and Dark Skies
Mysteries of the Sky: Poetic Laments to a Time Before Light Pollution
Untitled
scottish history
Old Aberdeen Walk:
'Oriented' Buildings, Hidden Observatories, and an ancient Sundial
7:00/14:00/17:00
8:00/15:00/18:00
medicine
Out of Sync – How Modern Life Disrupts Your Body Clock
8:30/15:30/18:30
presentations
Medical Science & The Importance of Stars in Human Wellbeing
Reflections of Lost Stars
9:15/16:15/19:15
9:45/16:45/19:45
civic engagement
Britain’s Most Northerly Dark Sky Park, The Story So Far
We will now change the venue to the Lecture Theatre in the Regent Building.
academic engagement
Ancient Skies Through Modern Eyes – Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) as a Platform for Research, Education, and Public Engagement
11:00/18:00/21:00
practical astronomy
Navigating Dark Skies in Space & Time – Introduction to Digital Simulations
We will now change the venue to the Divinity Library in King's College.
quranic recitation
The Sound of Dark Skies – Celestial Phenomena in the Quran
12:30/19:30/22:30
15:00/22:00/1:00 (departure) & 17:30 / 00:30 / 3:30 (return)
trip to aberdeenshire (tbc)
The Midsummer Full-Moon-Rise
– A trip to the East Aquhorthies Stone Circle
Funding
The workshop is organised within Dr Jakub Zbrzeżny’s project "Dark Skies across Alberta and Scotland – Gazing at the Sky with Ancient Eyes," funded by the Aberdeen–Curtin–Calgary Research Catalyst Funds 2026. Thanks are due to Professor Nick Forsyth, Provost, and Dr Anpu Varghese, Research Development Executive (EU & International), University of Aberdeen.
Further funding is provided by the Environment and Biodiversity unit of the Interdisciplinary Institute, University of Aberdeen. The workshop is also supported by the Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA). AGYA is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
Organiser
Dr Jakub Zbrzeżny
Lecturer in Second Temple Judaism
Divinity Department
School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History
University of Aberdeen
Profile: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/dhpa/people/profiles/jakub.zbrzezny
Email: jakub.zbrzezny@abdn.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1224 272385
Assisted by Wilhelm Wildner & Duncan Jackson
(Student Society Biblical Antiquity in Science and History, University of Aberdeen)
Image credits
The image used on this website is a painting by an artist from the circle of the Scottish portrait painter David Scougal (d. 1685), held by the University Collections of the University of Aberdeen, and licensed under CC BY 4.0. The painting depicts James Gregory (1638-1675), a Scottish astronomer and mathematician, born in Aberdeenshire and educated in Marischal College, one of the constituent units of the University of Aberdeen. This workshop is held in his memory.
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