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).

Dark Skies Celestial Concert, Oracle Piano Society, Sunday, 18 December 2016

The "Celestial Concert" was a joint event of the Oracle Piano Society and the Oracle Dark Skies Committee. The Oracle Fire Department advertised the event on their message board:

As the concert goers arrived they had the opportunity to learn about the International Dark-Sky Association and the Oracle Dark Skies Committee:

Mary Huebner of the Oracle Piano Society welcomed everyone to the "Dark Skies Celestial Concert":

Mike Weasner, dressed as William Herschel, famous 18th Century astronomer and music composer, discussed the work of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee, Oracle State Park's IDA "International Dark Sky Park" designation, and the "Celestial Concert" day and evening events:

Evaline Auerbach, Oracle Dark Skies Committee, talked about the special donation by Oracle resident Lavinia Steward made in 1916 to the University of Arizona that culminated in the creation of Steward Observatory:

The Oracle Dark Skies Committee has used this 100th Anniversary of the gift to promote the dark skies in Oracle.

Mike Weasner introducing Adam Block, University of Arizona Department of Astronomy, founder of the Mt Lemmon SkyCenter, and world famous astrophotographer (standing), and Dr. Stephen Cook, Artistic Director, Oracle Piano Society, concert pianist (not in this photo):

The first musical selection by Dr. Cook (below left) with Block's astrophotography displayed on the large screen was "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss:

The program continued with "Pétrouchka" by Igor Stravinsky, "Christmas Eve Suite" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39" by Sergei Rachmaninoff, "Transit of Venus March" by John Philip Sousa, and "Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 5" by Johannes Brahms. Following each musical selection played by Dr. Cook, Adam Block discussed his astrophotography that accompanied the selection and why he chose those images.

The final concert selection was "The Planets, Op. 32, VII Neptune the Mystic" by Gustav Holst, played by Dr. Cook with voices by the Oaks Chorale:

Adam Block and Stephen Cook receiving the excited appreciation and applause from the audience:

The music was followed by a short break. Adam had some of his astrophotography on display and available for purchase:

The next portion of the "Dark Skies Celestial Concert" was a talk on the astronomical perspective of the "The Star of Bethlehem" by Dr. Christopher Corbally, astronomer from the Vatican Observatory. Here is Dr. Cook introducing Dr. Corbally:

Dr. Corbally discussed the historical background surrounding "The Star of Bethlehem" and then presented some alternatives as to what events could have resulted in what appeared in the sky at the time. It was an educational and entertaining talk. That was followed by some "Q & A".

The final portion of the "Dark Skies Celestial Concert" was a star party outside of the Oracle Center for the Arts concert hall. Unfortunately, clouds had come in during the day. This view, about 40 minutes after sunset, shows the western sky with the planet Venus at the upper left:

But even with the clouds, some members of the Saddlebrooke Skygazers Club set up their telescopes and binoculars for viewing whenever the clouds allowed:

The guests were treated to views (although not great due to the clouds) of Venus, Mars, some galaxies, and open star clusters. By "special arrangement" with NASA, a flyover of the International Space Station (ISS) treated those who stayed to a thrill. (Just kidding about the arrangement, but by the Station did appear through a break in the clouds.) The ISS was just one of many satellites that were seen that night from the dark skies in Oracle.

The last hardy person left about 8pm when the temperature had fallen to 39°F.

Thanks to the special speakers Adam Block of the UofA Dept. of Astronomy and Dr. Chris Corbally of the Vatican Observatory; ODSC members Kay Lantow and Chip Parfet; Scott and Janet Feierabend of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA); and Don Cain, Chris Mobley, Richard Spitzer, and Vince Tramazzothe of the Saddlebrooker Skygazers Club for the event support. A special thanks goes to Evaline Auerbach for the "Celestial Concert" concept and planning, and to the Oracle Piano Society for enthusiastically presenting it.

Photos by Mike Weasner and Chip Parfet, Oracle Dark Skies Committee.

Previous Events

Star Party, El Rancho Robles guest ranch, Wednesday, 26 October 2016

View the report.

"Super Moon" Trail Music Event, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 15 October 2016

View the report.

Live Music Concert and Star Party in the Park, Oracle State Park, Sunday, 25 September 2016

View the report.

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

View the report.

Live Music and Star Party, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 25 June 2016

View the report.

Special Talk: "The Lost Constellations", Oracle State Park, Saturday, 9 April

View the report.

Arizona Trail Association Work Group star party, Oracle State Park, Saturday, 19 March 2016

View the report.

Star Party Special Event: Celebrate Connections to Nature at Oracle State Park, Saturday, 5 March 2016

View the "Celebrate Connections to Nature" report.

"Adventures with the Moon" Evening Interpretive Program, Oracle State Park, 23 January 2016

View the "Adventures with the Moon" report.

Past Events - 2015
Past Events - 2014

Go back to the ODSC Home Page.