Episode 083 - Bettymaya Foott | Astrophotographer, Dark Sky enthusiast, & Director of Engagement at International Dark-Sky Association

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Bettymaya Foott is an astrophotographer and a dark sky enthusiast. As the Director of Engagement at the International Dark-Sky Association, she is instrumental in spreading the message of saving the stars! See her website Follow her on Instagram Like her Facebook page Know her on LinkedIn Bettymaya also founded an Instagram page called Women in Astrophotography to encourage and empower women who are passionate about astrophotography, to be comfortable under the night skies. Listen to her journey from stargazing on a trampoline as a kid and studying about environment and sustainability, to now capturing the beauty of our night skies and helping preserve dark skies. Bettymaya is fluent in Spanish and loves camping and river rafting trips. You can reach her for private online workshops on astrophotography, and tours across Moab. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) is a non-profit organization that protects our dark skies from light pollution. Based out of Tuscon, Arizona in the USA, it's a recognised global authority on night skies and light pollution. See their website Follow their Instagram Like their Facebook page Chat with them on Twitter IDA recognises dark sky places across the world under several categories such as International Dark Sky Reserves, International Dark Sky Sanctuaries, International Dark Sky Parks, International Dark Sky Communities, and Urban Night Sky Places. You can refer to extensive resources on light pollution, dark skies, and related subjects here>> Please refer to this interactive map that showcases the certified International Dark Sky Places You can be a part of preserving the night skies in your own way by becoming a member, an advocate, a delegate, or joining an IDA chapter near you.  Understand how you can get involved>> Also, as an individual, you can adopt smart dark sky friendly lighting solutions in your daily usage, and also encourage your local communities to take action. Read all about it here>> Our night sky is a shared heritage for all life on earth. This needs to be conserved to enjoy and explore the wonders of the universe. Know more about light pollution and how it affects our health, wildlife, and the world's diverse ecosystems. Also mentioned on this episode Adam Dalton - Airglow - Amanda Gormley - Annamarie Schaecher - Annette Lee - Antarctica - Arches National Park - Astronomical observatories in Antarctica - Astrophotography - Astrostays - Atacama Desert - Audubon, NY  - Aurora Borealis - Bangalore - Canyonlands National Park - Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative - Dark & Quiet Skies for Science & Society Conference - David Blaine - Deep Anand - Delhi - Delicate Arch - Dinosaur - DJI Osmo Pocket - East Canyon State Park - Effects of light pollution on wildlife - Elon Musk - Four Corners - Gates of Lodore - Glare - Goa - Guatemala - Halley's Comet - Hanle - Illuminating Engineering Society - International Dark-Sky Week - Intervalometer - Jeff Bezos - John Barentine - Johnny Harris - Ladakh - Lauren Scorzafava - Leonardo DiCaprio - Light trespassing - Mauna Kea Observatories - Megan Eaves - Milky Way - Moab - Moment Factory - NASA - NEOWISE Comet - New Zealand - Nightscape photography - Oprah Winfrey - Orion - Pentagon UFO story - Pete Strasser - Red Fleet State Park - Richard Branson - Rufus - Ruskin Hartley - Salt Lake City - Save Our Stars - Skyglow - Southern hemisphere astrophotography - South Pole Telescope - SpaceX - Starlink - Star Galaxy Discovery - Sun photography - Susan Ciarniello - The City Dark - Tribute in Light - United Nations - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs - University of Utah - Utah - Utah State Parks - Venus - Vox Borders Timestamps for reference 04:15 David Blaine Ascension 05:00 What is light pollution? 06:43 Engaging people to protect our night skies 07:43 International Dark-Sky Places program 08:47 Four different categories 09:58 Requirements to consider for a dark sky destination 10:19 Goal of the International Dark Sky Association 11:33 How can we as global citizens be part of protecting our dark skies? 16:01 How did I stumble upon dark sky reserves 21:39 Appreciating the night skies, and the human connection 28:08 Conservation is a first world problem 31:35 Astrotourism in Ladakh 33:11 Chapters and opportunities for engagement with the IDA 39:13 What is the International Dark-Sky Association? 40:18 The current team at IDA 43:34 How did Bettymaya gravitate toward the IDA? 46:22 Awareness about light pollution through popular media and education systems 48:34 Space explorations and experiencing the night skies from earth 50:17 Events and initiatives by IDA 52:21 Association of Friends of Astronomy Goa 53:24 Learning from indigenous communities about our night skies 59:41 Humans are nature 01:01:12 Light installations vs light pollution 01:04:05 How did Bettymaya start with astrophotography? 01:06:45 Learning curve for astrophotography 01:13:31 Being outdoors to capture a decent photograph of the night skies 01:17:30 Bettymaya's most dramatic destination for astrophotography, and her celestial subjects 01:22:00 Women in Astro 01:23:16 Can astrophotography include capturing the skies during the day? 01:24:11 Opinions about astrology as an astrophotographer 01:26:01 Influence of growing up in a dramatic destination such as Moab 01:28:12 Bettymaya's other interests in the outdoors 01:35:20 Contacts to reach IDA and Bettymaya ******* Show cover jingle courtesy of Icons8 Music by Nordgroove from Fugue Episode background tunes courtesy of YouTube Audio LibraryA Quiet Thought by Wayne Jones Nebular Focus by Dan Henig On Foot by Underbelly & Ty Mayer Orbit by Corbyn Kites Touch Tone by The Mini Vandals All photographs by Bettymaya Foott, & the International Dark-Sky Association, unless otherwise stated.