Coconino County is celebrating the City of Flagstaff’s recognition as International Dark Sky City of the Year, an honor that reflects decades of community leadership, policy commitment and resident participation in protecting Northern Arizona’s night skies. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors formally recognized the award during a recent meeting, joined by members of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, community advocates and county staff who have helped advance dark sky protections across … [Read more...] about Coconino County Celebrates Flagstaff’s International Dark Sky City of the Year Recognition
Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
Flagstaff Wins Dark Sky Place of the Year Award
The City of Flagstaff has been awarded the prestigious Dark Sky Place of the Year award from DarkSky International. This recognition follows more than six decades of intentional stewardship of the city’s night skies, beginning when Flagstaff created the world’s first outdoor lighting ordinance in 1958. Following a proposal from the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition to create the program, Flagstaff was designated the world’s first International Dark Sky City on Oct. 24, 2001. Today, Flagstaff … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Wins Dark Sky Place of the Year Award
Cultural Astronomer Danielle Adams Named Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition Executive Director
The Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition has announced the appointment of Danielle Adams, Ph.D., a cultural astronomer, as its executive director, following her successful tenure as interim executive director. This appointment comes as the nonprofit organization continues to celebrate 25 years of protecting and celebrating the dark and starlit skies of Northern Arizona this year and gears up for the 2026 anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City in … [Read more...] about Cultural Astronomer Danielle Adams Named Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition Executive Director
Celebration of the Night Brings Flagstaff Together Under the Stars
Flagstaff’s famous night skies are taking center stage this fall as the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) hosts its annual Celebration of the Night, Sept. 5 through Oct. 18, including the Flagstaff Star Party, Sept. 25-27, at Buffalo Park. This year’s festivities also mark the beginning of a year-long countdown to a milestone event: the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, coming in fall 2026. “As we pursue our vision of a world where … [Read more...] about Celebration of the Night Brings Flagstaff Together Under the Stars
Coconino Astronomical Society Brings People Together Who Love the Stars
By day, they may be scientists, photographers, artists, construction workers, doctors and students, but by night, they turn into stargazers. Flagstaff’s 60 or more active and diverse members of the Coconino Astronomical Society are joined together by their passion for the beauty, mystery and enormity of the universe. “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, … [Read more...] about Coconino Astronomical Society Brings People Together Who Love the Stars
Cultural Astronomer Danielle Adams Leads Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition as Organization Takes on Ambitious Vision
As the Flagstaff community continues to come out for Celebration of the Night activities this month, the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) will be led by newly appointed Interim Executive Director Danielle Adams, Ph.D., a cultural astronomer, dark sky advocate and astrotourism consultant whose work inhabits the intersections of art and science. “Flagstaff is not only the world’s first International Dark Sky City; with 75,000 residents and an airport, it is the largest and most accessible … [Read more...] about Cultural Astronomer Danielle Adams Leads Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition as Organization Takes on Ambitious Vision
Celebrating Dark Skies Downtown
Telescope viewing, music, dancing, jewelry, paintings, glasswork, beer and more will be part of “Dark Skies Downtown” as the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition and Downtown Business Alliance join forces to invite locals and visitors to the heart of the city in celebration of Flagstaff’s famous night sky on First Friday Art Walk, Sept. 6. “Our dark skies are indeed part of the deeply valued natural wonders that have come to define Northern Arizona and the people who live here,” said Flagstaff Dark … [Read more...] about Celebrating Dark Skies Downtown
Lowell Leader, Stellar Researcher Jeff Hall Shines as Dark Skies Champion
In the nicest, most respectful and patiently persistent way, Lowell Observatory Executive Director Jeff Hall has been a “bullfighter” for dark skies on many different levels, say those in the astronomer world. “There’s a saying: ‘It’s not what you do, but how you do it that counts,’” said Lowell Historian Kevin Schindler. “And Jeff has mastered the skill of working through sometimes contentious issues with people who may see things differently and finding a solution that’s good for … [Read more...] about Lowell Leader, Stellar Researcher Jeff Hall Shines as Dark Skies Champion
Celebrating Dark Skies through Outdoor Piano Recital, Downtown Art Walk, Flagstaff Star Party
With his Steinway concert grand piano being delivered to the open grassland of McMillan Mesa, astronomer and musician David Koerner, Ph.D., will be performing a free open-air concert in celebration of the Flower Moon rising over Buffalo Park, starting at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 22. The event is a collaboration between the Coconino Center for the Arts (CCA) and Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) as part of the 10-day ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona festival. “The ‘Rising of the Flower … [Read more...] about Celebrating Dark Skies through Outdoor Piano Recital, Downtown Art Walk, Flagstaff Star Party
Coconino County: A Defender of the Dark
The word is out that Coconino County has some of the darkest skies and best opportunities in the country to view and explore the wonders of the universe. Knowing this, the county enacted its first dark skies lighting ordinances more than 45 years ago. This action acknowledged the importance of dark skies to generations that have been in the region for a long time – Native cultures, scientists, astronomers, explorers and dreamers. And it demonstrated a commitment to preserving and protecting dark … [Read more...] about Coconino County: A Defender of the Dark
