“That time with the stars reminds us that we live on a small, delicate world.”
“There is nothing I love more than going out on a dark, dark night with some friends and a telescope to contemplate the universe,” said retired biomedical scientist Klaus Brasch, Ph.D., a member of the Coconino Astronomical Society (CAS). “That time with the stars reminds us that we live on a small, delicate world. This is Spaceship Earth and we better take good care of it.”
CAS formed more than 20 years ago by individuals interested in the sky, the stars and the planets and who are also passionate about introducing these cosmic wonders to others. “By sharing our telescopes, we can offer a special way of connecting people with the night sky,” said Brasch.
“In Flagstaff, we are so fortunate to have the Coconino astronomers,” said Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition President Chris Luginbuhl. “They have volunteered at a number of public stargazing events and presentations through the years, which has raised tremendous awareness about our now-famous dark skies.”
The volunteers of CAS support the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition by bringing their telescopes and knowledge to the annual Flagstaff Star Party at Buffalo Park. They also participate in the Flagstaff Dark Skies Speaker Series, keeping residents and visitors up to date on current events in the solar system and new images from the James Webb Telescope.
CAS volunteers also are found in schools talking to young stargazers and safely showing them the sun. In addition, they volunteer at Lowell
Observatory during astronomical events and other times when large crowds are expected.
“The Coconino Astronomers are extremely generous about sharing their time, their knowledge and their equipment, and they truly love engaging with the public, which is very much appreciated throughout the community,” said Luginbuhl.
Brasch’s lifelong fascination with the universe inspired him and another professor, Alan Bridle, Ph.D., at Queen’s University at Kingston in Ontario, Canada, to collaborate on a college course called “Planets and Life.”
“That was in the 1970s and was one of the first such classes,” he said. “The chairs of the biology and physics departments wondered if it was about little green men, but they let us teach it anyway.”
Today, that love for the stars shines in a new book, “The Space-Age Generation,” co-authored by Brasch and other scientists who grew up during the ‘50s and ‘60s, when the Space Age began with the launch of Sputnik, early Earth-orbiting satellites, and NASA trained Apollo astronauts for flights to the moon.
“That era had an impact on so much of what we are doing today, including exploring the planets and all kinds of scientific and technological marvels,” said Brasch.
“This enthusiasm about the universe that Coconino Astronomical Society members like Klaus have is absolutely contagious,” said Luginbuhl. “You can see how much they enjoy seeing kids and adults light up the first time they see Saturn’s rings or the moon’s craters.”
For these reasons and more, the Coalition is honoring the Coconino Astronomical Society as this month’s Flagstaff Dark Skies Champion. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
Courtesy Photo: Coconino Astronomical Society member Klaus Brasch, Ph.D., enjoys sharing his telescope, knowledge and passion about the universe with the public at star parties like this one in California.
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