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AstronEra

@astronera

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www.astronera.org
Founder: @shweta_astron

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The Tourism Department, Government of Maharashtra, along with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), is taking a pioneering step in promoting astro tourism and leading Maharashtra’s Dark Sky movement.

Under the leadership of Shri. Neelesh R. Gatne (IAS), Managing Director, MTDC, in the presence of Deputy Secretary, (Tourism), Dept. of Tourism, and General Manager, MTDC, reaffirmed this commitment during ‘Khagol Darshan Mahotsav 2026’.

Across the state, 11 pilot sites, proposed by AstronEra, have been identified for dark sky conservation and immersive stargazing experiences.

As the endorsed partner of @darksky_intl in India, AstronEra will play a key role in gathering on-ground data from these locations, contributing to the development of a comprehensive Dark Sky policy for Maharashtra. This initiative not only preserves our night skies but also positions the state as a leading destination for sustainable and experiential astro tourism. ✨

#AstroTourism #DarkSky by @astronera

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6 months ago

🌌 On #nationalspaceday , Maharashtra leads India into a new era!

Hon. Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis has announced the drafting of India’s first Dark Sky Policy, a bold step to tackle light pollution and protect our biodiversity, culture, health, and scientific progress. 🚀✨

This visionary commitment ensures that the starlit skies of Maharashtra remain a living classroom for generations to come.

In his speech, the CM also acknowledged the global recognition earned by Shweta Kulkarni (Dark Sky Defender – Asia 2024), whose work has helped bring this issue to the forefront. 🌍

📹 Share widely to spread the word: India’s first Dark Sky Policy begins here in Maharashtra!

#DarkSkyIndia #NationalSpaceDay #LightPollution #AstroTourism #Sustainability #Maharashtra #JaiMaharashtra #DarkSkyPolicy #DarkSkyConservation #DarkSkyMaharashtra #CMOMaharashtra #ChiefMinisterMahaarshtra @darksky_intl @unesco @unescoindia @undpinindia @unep @iau_org @iau_oad @bbcnews @guardian @nytimes @indiatimes @thebetterindia @natgeoindia @ndtv @indianexpress @timesofindia @cmomaharashtra_ @devendra_fadnavis @pmoindia_official @narendramodi @mahadgipr @tourismmaharashtraofficial by @astronera

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a year ago

We are thrilled to announce that Pune’s Shweta Kulkarni Receives Prestigious Dark Sky Defender Award for Asia 2024.
November 10, 2024 — In a groundbreaking achievement, Shweta Kulkarni ( @shweta_astron ) , Director of AstronEra and a passionate advocate for dark sky conservation, has been honored with the Dark Sky Defender Award for the Asia region by DarkSky International. This prestigious recognition, awarded to only six individuals or organizations worldwide each year, celebrates those who have made exceptional contributions to preserving night skies by promoting sustainable outdoor lighting practices.

The Dark Sky Defender Award is one of the highest honors conferred by @darksky_intl , an organization dedicated to combating light pollution orldwide. Each year, the award is given to six outstanding individuals or organizations, one from each inhabited continent, who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to preserving night skies and advocating for responsible lighting.

Shweta Kulkarni’s achievement underscores India’s growing role in the global dark sky movement and highlights the powerful impact of grassroots initiatives that blend conservation with cultural heritage.

#DarkSkyDefender #ProtectTheNight #SaveOurStars #DarkSkyAdvocate
#FightLightPollution #StarryNightsForever#ReclaimTheNight
#KeepItDark #PreserveOurSky #DefendTheDark #IDA by @astronera

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2 years ago

Some places don’t need to be changed. They need to be protected.

In Udmal, 232 tribal villagers have come together with a shared dream: to make their village India’s first Dark Sky Community certified by DarkSky International.

They are choosing to protect their night sky, adopt responsible lighting, and build a future where tourism creates opportunities without taking away their land, culture, nature or stars.

At AstronEra, we feel incredibly fortunate that the community has trusted us to walk alongside them through this journey, working with them and the Government of Maharashtra to help turn their vision into reality.

Because this isn’t development for Udmal.

It is development led by Udmal.

And perhaps the most beautiful part?

A tribal community in one small village is showing the rest of India what the future of responsible tourism and conservation could look like.

They’re not waiting for the future to arrive.
They’re building it, on their own terms. 🌌

#Udmal #DarkSkies #AstroTourism #AstronEra #DarkSkyConservation by @astronera

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2 months ago

✨ Happy National Space Day! 🌌

Let’s keep our curiosity about the cosmos alive by keeping our night skies dark, so the stars can shine brighter. ⭐ by @astronera

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2 months ago

First Indian organisation signs formal MoU with @darksky_intl
@astronera has become the first organisation in India to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding with DarkSky International, the global authority on light pollution and the body that certifies International Dark Sky Places worldwide.

This is not a sudden development. It is the result of years of sustained work by AstronEra in policy, research and on-ground implementation across Maharashtra.

Already in motion:
• Shaping Maharashtra’s Dark Sky Policy through research-led strategy and direct government coordination
• Guiding 11 pilot sites, including Udmal (Nashik), toward DarkSky International certification
• Working with multiple state departments to build responsible astrotourism

Led by @shweta_astron , Dark Sky & Astrotourism Strategist.

The MoU now formalises a clear pathway for international Dark Sky recognition in Maharashtra, and the economic opportunity that comes with it.
This is a significant step for India’s dark sky and astrotourism future.

Swipe to understand the full picture. ➡️
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#DarkSkyIndia #AstronEra #DarkSkyInternational #Maharashtra #Astrotourism by @astronera

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2 months ago

From being trained as an AstroGuide through the AstroTribe Project, funded by the @iau_oad , to now proudly contributing as a member of Udmal — this journey feels truly special. 🌌❤️

AstroTribe gave me the opportunity to discover astronomy not just as a science, but as a way to connect people with the night sky. Today, that journey has brought me back to my own community, where we are working towards protecting Udmal's stars and building its future as a Dark Sky Community. ✨🔭

Grateful to everyone who made this journey possible — especially AstronEra, IAU-OAD, our administration, and the people of Udmal.

From guiding people under the stars to helping protect the stars above my own village. 🌠

Udmal is ready to protect its stars and share their story with the world. ✨

Special thanks to:
@astronera
@shweta_astron
@darksky_intl
@dr.kashmira_ias
@ayush.prasad.14
@iau_oad

Device used to capture : Vivo V40 5g
Single exposure of 32 sec
ISO 1200
WB 4800K
Focus Infinity ♾️

#Udmal #DarkSkyCommunity #unitetoprotectthenight #LightPollution #astrotribe taken in Udmal, Maharashtra, India by @astronera

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2 months ago

Astronomy Events | आकाशप्रेमींसाठी ऑगस्ट खास..सूर्यग्रहण, उल्कावर्षाव आणि 'ब्लड मून"

#August2026 #Astronomy #SkyWatchers #SolarEclipse #MeteorShower #BloodMoon #LunarEclipse #AstronomyEvents #Stargazing #NightSky
#pudharinewslive #pudhari #pudharinewschannel #pudharinewschannellive #pudharionline #pudharilivenews by @astronera

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2 months ago

When was the last time you looked up and actually saw the Milky Way?

A village in Nashik could soon offer a pretty good answer. Udmal is being developed as a dark-sky destination, where the goal is to keep artificial light to a minimum and let the night sky do all the talking.

No official timeline yet, but we’re already mentally packing the binoculars. taken in Nashik, Maharastra by @astronera

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2 months ago

Udhamal, a tribal village in Surgana taluka, is set to become India’s first Dark Sky Community Village, opening the doors to astro-tourism while protecting its naturally dark night skies. 🌌⭐

With minimal light pollution and breathtaking views of the Milky Way, Udhamal is proving that preserving nature can create new opportunities for tourism, education, and sustainable development.

Nashik is now shining brighter by keeping its skies darker. 💙

📍Udhamal, Surgana | Nashik

#Nashik #Udhamal #DarkSky #DarkSkyCommunity #AstroTourism

[Surgana Maharashtra IncredibleIndia MilkyWay Stargazing TravelNashik Nature ExploreNashik NashikNews Nashik24x7] by @astronera

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2 months ago

🌌 नाशिक जिल्ह्यातील सुरगाणा तालुक्यातील उधमाळ गाव भारतातील पहिले आंतरराष्ट्रीय प्रमाणित 'डार्क स्काय कम्युनिटी' गाव बनण्याच्या दिशेने वाटचाल करत आहे.
⭐ या उपक्रमामुळे विद्यार्थ्यांमध्ये खगोलशास्त्र आणि अवकाश संशोधनाची आवड वाढणार असून, खगोल पर्यटनालाही मोठी चालना मिळणार आहे.
💰 या प्रकल्पासाठी ₹42.14 लाखांचा निधी मंजूर करण्यात आला असून, प्रकाश प्रदूषण कमी करणे, रात्रीच्या आकाशाचे संवर्धन, स्थानिक युवकांना प्रशिक्षण आणि पर्यटन विकासावर भर दिला जाणार आहे.
📍 हा उपक्रम नाशिक जिल्ह्याला राष्ट्रीय आणि आंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तरावर वेगळी ओळख मिळवून देऊ शकतो.
📲 नाशिकमधील ताज्या आणि विश्वासार्ह अपडेट्ससाठी @Hidden.Nashik ला Follow करा.
#nashik #surgana #darksky #maharashtra #hiddennashik
udhmal village, dark sky community india, dark sky village, surgana nashik, nashik tourism, astro tourism india, ayush prasad, nashik collector, darksky international, nashik latest news, maharashtra news, marathi news, hidden nashik by @astronera

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2 months ago

From Pune to Birmingham.

It was a privilege to be invited to present at the National Astronomy Meeting (NAM) hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society, England

Representing India in discussions on Dark Sky conservation wasn’t just about sharing our work, it was about bringing the realities of one of the world’s fastest-growing nations into a global conversation.

Protecting our night skies will require more than astronomy. It will require science, policy, industry, and communities working together across borders.

Here’s to building those bridges. 🌌🇮🇳 by @astronera

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3 months ago