The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to put their day-to-day lives on pause, whether this meant cancelling travel plans, working or studying from home, or putting a halt to in-person social interaction. 

 

As we look for silver linings, astrophysicist, proud Wiradjuri woman and UNSW PhD candidate Ms Kirsten Banks says stargazing conditions have never been better.

 

“There are fewer planes in the sky than usual, and – with less activity going on in the major cities – there’s also less air pollution,” says Ms Banks. 

 

“This makes the sky clearer, which is perfect for stargazing.”