Saturday, 26 April 2025, Oracle State Park held celebrations for the Park becoming an International Dark Sky Park in 2014 and for International Dark Sky Week 2025. The sky was clear, although there was a lot of wind during the day and night.

Park visitors gathered on the historic Kannally Ranch House patio to hear some special talks. Fish Tacos were available from La Bufadora. Friends of Oracle State Park was on hand to answer questions about the Park and the Friends group.

Park Ranger Michael Bain welcomed every to Oracle State Park and explained the night's events. Park Volunteer and Dark Sky Advocate Mike Weasner talked about the dedicated group of local residents, business owners, and park rangers who prepared the International Dark Sky Park (IDSP) application for submittal to the International Dark-Sky Association (now known as DarkSky International) in record time from April to June 2014. Mike showed the IDSP September 2014 designation award (left hand in photo) and the IDA Dark Sky Defender award the Oracle Dark Skies Committee received later in 2014 (right hand). Mae Smith, President of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA), talked about the purpose of TAAA and their support to star parties in many locations, including Oracle State Park. She then gave some history of International Dark Sky Week and noted that this international annual event was started by a 13 year old student in 2003. Pinal County Supervisor Jeff McClure read the County's International Dark Sky Week Proclamation.

Click to view video (3 minutes)

The speakers then posed for a group photo.

After the talks, many visitors enjoyed being out under the starry sky on the Ranch House patio where the red light illumination did not interfere with their night vision. Telescope viewing with telescopes provided by TAAA members was also available.

Park Ranger Malana Starr set up the park's newly purchased electronic telescope on the patio. She remotely controlled the telescope from inside the Kannally Ranch House living room and projected live views of many night sky objects as seen by the telescope to enthusiastic visitors.

The last of the 190 visitors left about 9:30pm. Even with the wind, it was a beautiful night under the stars at Oracle State Park (SQM = 21.38).

Talks photos and video credit David C. Other photos by Mike Weasner.

---

Comments are welcome using Email. Please read the Email Etiquette guidance.

---

Cassiopeia Observatory Home Page