South Korean Dark Skies Delegation visit to Oracle State Park, 10 January 2015

A high level delegation from South Korea came to Oracle State Park to learn how it became an "International Dark Sky Park" and to experience its dark sky. The nine-member delegation was accompanied by two representatives from the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), headquartered in Tucson, AZ. Prior to their arrival at Oracle State Park, the delegation visited Kartchner Caverns State Park. This report will only discuss their visit to Oracle State Park.

As the delegation arrived in Oracle they stopped at the Oracle Fire Station for a photo op:

Photo courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

Upon arrival at Oracle State Park, the delegation was welcomed by Bryan Martyn, Executive Director of Arizona State Parks, at left below. Shaking Director Martyn's hand is Kwon-Yeong Taek, Governor of Yeongyang, South Korea. On the right is Won-Kil Jeong, a professor at Daegu Haany University, who we called "David" and was the translator.

Photo courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

Here is Director Martyn being introduced to Scott Kardel, Acting Director, IDA, on the left, and Dr. John Barentine, Manager, International Dark Sky Places Program, IDA, shaking Director Martyn's hand. On the right is Steve Haas, Manager, Oracle State Park.

Photo courtesy of Anne Lucic

After introductions were completed, Jennifier Rinio, Oracle State Park Ranger, talked about the history of Oracle State Park and gave a tour of the historic Kannally Ranch House:

Photo by Mike Weasner, ODSC

Here are several people, including members of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee (ODSC), listening to the talk about the Park:

Photo courtesy of Anne Lucic

On the Kannally Ranch House tour:

Photos courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

Following the tour, Director Bryan Martyn and Governor Kwon-Yeong Taek exchanged gifts:

Photos courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

This is the gift from the Governor:

Photo by Mike Weasner, ODSC

A wonderful meal was catered by Oracle Patio Cafe, thanks to the Friends of Oracle State Park. Here is Governor Kwon-Yeong Taek with Jim Walsh, President of the Friends of Oracle State Park:

Photo courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

The Governor is wearing Jim's hat.

Ranger Steve Haas made a few remarks prior to introducing Mike Weasner, Chair, Oracle Dark Skies Committee:

Photo courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

Mike talked about how the idea of pursuing the "International Dark Sky Park" for Oracle State Park came about and how it was accomplished:

Photos courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

He discussed the economic benefits that arise from a Park receiving the Dark Sky designation, as this was a topic of great interest to the South Korean Delegation.

Following Mike's talk, Governor Kwon-Yeong Taek made some closing remarks and mentioned a possibility of their Park and Oracle State Park becoming "sister parks" once their Park receives the IDA "International Dark Sky Park" designation.

Photo courtesy of Scott Kardel, IDA

The plan had been to do some night sky observing from Oracle State Park, but unfortunately the sky was cloudy. That was unfortunate and prevented the Delegation from seeing the Zodiacal Light, Comet Lovejoy, and the Winter Milky Way, all only visible to the unaided eye from dark sky locations. The planets Venus and Mercury, which were very close together in the western sky that night, and many other celestial objects would have been seen and viewed through telescopes at the Park.

The visit to both Parks by the South Korean Dark Skies Delegation was declared to be a great success by everyone involved. It very clearly demonstrated the international reach of the "International Dark Sky Park" Program.

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