‘Discover the Night’ Star Party in the Village of Oak Creek

After a two-year hiatus, the Big Park/VOC Dark-Sky committee has announced the first public star party of 2022. The event will be held on May 22 from 8-10 p.m. in the Tequa ballroom parking area in front of the Hilton Sedona Resort.

What is a Star Party? It is an open event where volunteer astronomers share their telescopes and knowledge to educate and delight anyone with a curiosity of the constellations. These “discover the night” experiences are fun for gazers of all ages – local residents and visitors alike. It’s a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to share with children.

This party will include a “constellation tour”, custom-designed for nature’s unique May display. Guiding the tour will be Curt Schneider, who serves as the committee chairman and also Public Program Educator/LDT Safety Technician at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff. All visitors will have an opportunity to view through the telescopes with a committee member “docent” to guide them.

No reservation is needed and the event is free, thanks to the generous support from the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock. There is nothing to bring, but visitors are encouraged to dress comfortably for the weather. Information on Dark-Sky lighting and values will be available. Viewing will be in order of arrival, so a short wait could be involved.

The Big Park/VOC Dark-Sky committee is a group of amateur astronomers with a passion not only for enjoying the night sky, but also for preserving it for future generations. The committee provides education in the form of events and community outreach to help individuals and businesses understand how they can reduce harmful light pollution.

What is Light Pollution? According to the International Dark-Sky Association, any artificial light that is not needed is a pollutant that has serious and harmful consequences. Light pollution can disrupt wildlife, impact human health, waste money and energy, contribute to climate change and block our view of the universe. It is increasing at 2x rate of population growth and 83% of the global population lives under a light-polluted sky.

For more information on the star party or to get involved with the committee, send an email to info@bigparkcouncil.org, attention Curt Schneider.

About International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) IDA works to protect the night from light pollution. Since 1988, the International Dark-Sky Association has promoted win-win solutions that allow people to appreciate dark, star-filled skies while enjoying the benefits of responsible outdoor lighting. IDA is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Learn more and find a list of events at darksky.org.