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
Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition
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
Coconino County Encourages a Constellation of Dark Skies Support
Coconino County, home of Flagstaff, the world’s first International Dark-Sky City, has long been a leading player in recognizing the value of and protecting dark skies. For District 3 Coconino County Supervisor Matt Ryan, there were significant times in the past couple of decades that prompted additional vigilance and action in protecting dark skies. Often it was working together with local partners and astronomers. Around the year 2000, the Arizona Department of Transportation was speaking … [Read more...] about Coconino County Encourages a Constellation of Dark Skies Support
Clear Audio Under Dark Skies
For Greg and Janis Crosman, owners of Clear Aire Audio, Flagstaff’s extraordinary dark skies are an important part of their lives. “We built our home in 1999 specifically with the dark skies in mind,” said Greg. “We bought amber lights and shielded them to make sure they only put light on the ground.” The two, who have been together for 51 years and married for 49, have worked together on many audio productions and projects since 1976, both locally and in other parts of the country and the … [Read more...] about Clear Audio Under Dark Skies
Arizona Nordic Village Sets the Stage for Premiere Dark Skies Destination Event
The vision began in the living room of Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition member William Seven in fall 2019. It would be a destination dark skies event, drawing people from around the region with a captivating world-class speaker, a talented quartet filling the night air, telescope viewing under the darkest of skies, a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind artwork and experiences, original specialty brews crafted in Flagstaff and the kind of creative, delectable food local chefs are known … [Read more...] about Arizona Nordic Village Sets the Stage for Premiere Dark Skies Destination Event
Glass Blower George Averbeck Shows How High Heat and Time Create Beauty in the Universe
On a September morning, George Averbeck is in his Fire on the Mountain studio carefully crafting a glass-blown vase, inspired by the Milky Way and Flagstaff’s famous starry skies. His wife, business partner and glass-blowing assistant that day, Holly, joins him to create a deeply meaningful original art piece that will bring awareness to the town’s clear view into deep space and the conservation efforts of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition. On this morning, he announces how the sale of this … [Read more...] about Glass Blower George Averbeck Shows How High Heat and Time Create Beauty in the Universe
