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).

Live Music and Star Party, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 1 September 2018, 5:30-9pm

The Oracle State Park main entrance gate remained open late into the evening on Saturday, 1 September, for Live Music beginning at 5:30pm and a Star Party beginning at 7pm. Under a partly cloudy sky, visitors were able to take advantage of cooler temps and scenic sunset views from the patio of the historic Kannally Ranch House. Music on the upper patio featured guitar and vocal harmony performances by local musicians, Steve Priestle and David Liers.

Here are some photographs taken during the event.

About an hour before the music began there were some Monsoon Season thunderstorm clouds in the distance, as seen in this photo towards the Galiuro Mountains to the east of the Park:

The Oracle Dark Skies Committee had a table set up with information brochures on Light Pollution provided by the International Dark- Sky Association:

The musicians:

A solar telescope was set up to view the Sun low in the western sky:

Unfortunately, the Sun was hidden by clouds most of the time. Fortunately, the clouds made for a beautiful sunset at Oracle State Park for the visitors who were listening to the music.

Storm clouds continued well away from the Park:

After sunset the sky was clear enough to view the planets Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars through several telescopes:

Lightning from distant storms continued throughout the Star Party, which only added to the exciting things seen at Oracle State Park this night:

After it became dark the Milky Way was seen brightly glowing from over Mount Lemmon to high overhead. Many earth-orbiting satellites were also observed. Several other night sky objects were viewed through the telescopes that had been set up, including double stars, nebulae, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Whirlpool Galaxy.

For the many visitors who took a chance on there being good weather, or those who came for the Live Music but stayed for the Star Party, it turned into a wonderful event at Oracle State Park.

Thanks to the Tucson Amateur Astronony Associaton and the Saddlebrooke SkyGazers Club for providing the telescopes. And thanks to the Friends of Oracle State Park for sponsoring the live music.

Photos by Mike Weasner, Oracle Dark Skies Committee.

Previous Events

Star Party and Dark Sky Special Event, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 30 June 2018

View the report.

Blue Moon Trail Music Event, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 31 March 2018

View the report.

Talk and Star Party, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 24 March 2018

View the report.

"An Inner Astronomy" Art Show Closing Reception, Triangle L Ranch, Oracle, Sunday, 18 March 2018

View the report.

Family Reading Night, Oracle Mountain Vista School, Thursday, 15 March 2018

View the report.

Live Music and Star Party, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 17 February 2018

View the report.

Past Events - 2017
Past Events - 2016
Past Events - 2015
Past Events - 2014

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