Since its formation in April 2014, the Oracle Dark Skies Committee has been attending various events around Oracle and Pinal County to talk about its work to have Oracle State Park designated as an "International Dark Sky Park". The Committee also does public outreach on the effects of Light Pollution and how everyone can help reduce the problem and save money as well. Selected past events are mentioned here.

If you would like a Committee member to talk to your company, organization, or group of local residents, please contact Mike Weasner (520-289-3402 or mweasner@mac.com).

Star Party and Guest Speaker, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 10 September 2016

The Park welcomed Dr. Thomas A. Fleming, to give a talk on the history of the Steward Observatory. The Steward Observatory is the research arm of the University of Arizona in Tucson. 2016 marks their centennial celebration. In 1916, Mrs. Lavinia Steward of Oracle, Arizona, was a wealthy widow with an interest in astronomy. She memorialized her husband's name with a generous donation to the University to be used to purchase 'a telescope of huge size'. Following the talk telescopes provided by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) and the ODSC were set up for public night time sky viewing at the ranch house.

During the afternoon information tables were set up by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and the Oracle Dark Skies Committee (ODSC). The sky had been clouding up in the afternoon and everyone had to scramble to protect papers and a telescope when it started raining from a Monsoon thunderstorm (that included some lightning and thunder). Here is Dr. John Barentine (IDA) and Wendy Ostrander (ODSC):

A view of the storm:

After the brief storm moved on the sky began clearing and the information tables were once again set up. Here are ODSC members Wendy Ostrander, Chip Parfet, and Evaline Auerbach:

Prior to Dr. Fleming's talk, Evaline Auerbach (ODSC) told the audience about some upcoming "dark sky" events scheduled in Oracle:

Here is Park Ranger Jennifer Rinio introducing the guest speaker, Dr. Thomas Fleming:

Dr. Fleming:

The Kannally Ranch House living room was packed for Dr. Fleming's excellent and historically fascinating talk about Steward Observatory, astronomy in Arizona, and Oracle's connection to both:

As explained by Dr. Fleming, Steward Observatory began with a donation to the University of Arizona by Lavinia Steward in October 1916:

Dr. Fleming took questions after his talk. And with the sky now clear, Park visitors were able to view the Moon, planets Saturn and Mars, some globular clusters, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Ring Nebula using telescopes set up on the ranch house patio. This is Chip Parfet, ODSC member, explaining the view of the Moon seen on a video monitor connected to a telescope provided by the ODSC:

The last of the 55 visitors left the Park about 9:30pm. Thanks to TAAA and ODSC members for the support. And a special thanks to Dr. Fleming for offering a historical perspective of the University of Arizona, its Department of Astronomy, Steward Observatory, and Oracle.

Photos by Mike Weasner, Oracle Dark Skies Committee.

Past Events - 2016
Past Events - 2015
Past Events - 2014

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