Session overview:
Award-winning journalist, author, and editor of Nightscape magazine, Megan Eaves is a familiar voice in the global dark sky movement. Her latest book, Nightfaring, explores the endangered night through journeys spanning Argentina to Uzbekistan, New Mexico to Japan.
As the opening keynote speaker for Under One Sky, Megan—joined by opening remarks from Nalayini Brito-Davies, DarkSky's Board President, and Ruskin Hartley, DarkSky's CEO & Executive Director—will set the stage for a global conversation about working toward a future where the night is in balance.
Global opening
Speakers:
Megan Eaves
Author, Journalist and Nightscape Editor
Megan Eaves-Egenes is a Lowell Thomas Award-winning travel writer whose work explores the intersections of landscape, culture, and the natural world. A passionate advocate for dark skies, she is the editor of DarkSky International's Nightscape magazine and founded the Dark Sky London community group. For many years, Megan was the North and Central Asia Editor at legendary travel publisher Lonely Planet and she has written about travel, the environment, and astrotourism for the BBC, National Geographic, Outside, AFAR, The Times, The Telegraph, and others. Originally from the dark-sky deserts of New Mexico, she now lives in London. Megan's keynote will introduce her new book, Nightfaring: In Search of the Disappearing Darkness, giving a behind-the-scenes peek at her journeys around the world, from New Zealand to Argentina and New Mexico to Uzbekistan, to stand under the night sky and learn just what darkness means to us all.
Michael Rymer
UOS Host and Dark Sky Communities Program Manager
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Michael Rymer was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where he seldom saw the night sky in its natural state. Later in his life, though, he came to discover a love for astronomy and astrophotography, searching for dark skies and how he can help protect them.
Michael enjoys hiking in the mountains and deserts of the Western U.S., and he loves to spend time with his camera and telescopes, capturing the beauty of the cosmos. He joined the DarkSky Advocates Network in 2021 and has continued to learn how he can talk with others about the dangers of light pollution to us and our world.
Michael has a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in Recreation and Tourism Management from the University of Northern Alabama. He now lives in Denver, Colorado, where he not only can enjoy the beautiful night skies of the Rocky Mountains, but also cultivates native plants to enhance the beauty of nature during the day.
Ruskin Hartley
DarkSky International CEO and Executive Director
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Ruskin champions equitable access to dark skies and quality lighting for all through DarkSky’s award-winning programs. He works closely with volunteer leaders and donors to secure increased support for our priorities around the world. Ruskin believes that experiencing a dark sky, and appreciating quality lighting, are essential to DarkSky’s mission.
Before this position, Ruskin directed and managed conservation programs that protect land, water, and ocean resources. He served as executive director of Save the Redwoods League, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the redwood forest. He also served as the president and CEO of Heal the Bay in Los Angeles and as vice president of resource development at Fair Trade USA, an award-winning social enterprise seeking to alleviate poverty worldwide.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Ruskin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cambridge and a master’s degree from The University of East Anglia. Ruskin loves to head out on the trail with his wife and kids or cook under the stars.
Nalayini Brito-Davies
DarkSky International Board President
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Nalayini holds a Master of Science degree in astronomy from Swinburne University in Australia and a Master of Science degree in economics, specializing in finance, from London Business School, University of London. She is the immediate past president and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) and is a co-founder of the Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy, a non-profit promoting dark skies and astronomy education, including indigenous astronomy, through nationwide immersion training courses for those seeking a strong foundation in astronomy and astrotourism.
She serves on the board of the RASNZ Lecture Trust, which extends public knowledge of astronomy and related sciences through lectures by leading astronomers.
A qualified Chartered Accountant, Nalayini holds a Financial Studies Diploma in Banking from the Institute of Bankers, U.K. She previously worked at Citibank as a Vice President, and also held roles at Kuwait Asia Bank and the Bank of New Zealand. She is currently Executive Director of Vinstar Consulting, a New Zealand-based economic and financial advisory firm serving government clients in 35 countries.
Nalayini was instrumental in establishing Aotea / Great Barrier Island as a certified Dark Sky Sanctuary. She co-leads the promotion of New Zealand’s journey to become a dark sky nation and has spoken at dark sky conferences and workshops internationally.
Join the workshop:
This session will begin at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, November 6. To join, use the main Under One Sky 2026 Zoom Link provided to registered attendees.
New York
05:00 p.m.
São Paulo
07:00 p.m.
London
10:00 p.m.
Cape Town
12:00 a.m.
Dubai
02:00 a.m.
New Delhi
03:30 a.m.
Beijing
06:00 a.m.
Sydney
09:00 a.m.