It’s been more than 400 years since Galileo Galilei invented the telescope. And thanks to his creation, it’s allowed billions of people to step onto worlds millions of miles away.
For the second straight year, Sedona-area residents will have an opportunity to do just that thanks to the Sedona Star Party, which is set for Friday, Aug. 2, at Posse Grounds Park.
The free event is a partnership between the Sedona Chamber of Commerce, the city of Sedona Parks & Recreation Department, Keep Sedona Beautiful and the Astronomers of Verde Valley.
The Star Party will have an educational component with a 30-minute presentation at 7 p.m. from the Astronomers of Verde Valley on a large LED screen. Telescopes to view the constellations and planets will be available from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A laser guided constellations tour will be reoccurring throughout the evening.
“Special thanks to Keep Sedona Beautiful for helping Sedona get the incredible title and recognition as an official Dark Sky Community in 2014,” the chamber’s website states. “This accreditation has made city code and light compliance standards so star gazing can take place, any time of year.”
Chamber President and CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff said an event like this had been on their radar after the community received Dark Sky certification.
“We wanted to do a special event for the locals and also create an event that celebrates our sensational dark skies,” she said. “This event also allows us to help create awareness for Sedona’s dark skies. Creating awareness is important to us because, after all, people don’t value what they are not aware of.”
Last year the event drew around 400 people. Sedona Parks and Recreation Manager Rachel Murdoch said they anticipate an even bigger crowd this year but hopes the numbers don’t exceed 500.
“People love astronomy but most don’t own telescopes,” she said. “An event like this couldn’t take place if we didn’t have dark skies. So we get to invite people out to appreciate the night sky and get a closer look than they would normally be able to.”
Wesselhoff concurred and said, “Residents are always looking for cool things to do in Sedona. We learned a lot from last year’s event and this year it’s going to be even better.”
If the skies are clear it’s anticipated that Jupiter, Saturn and Mars will also be visible.
An event for all ages, participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to better enjoy the evening. Murdoch said this is a dog-free event and that the first 200 attendees will be treated to a free glow bracelet.
“People don’t normally have scopes worth thousands of dollars at their disposal,” Murdoch said. “This is a free, convenient chance to get to look through these instruments. I think that brings people in. Plus the volunteers manning the scopes are very educated and can share the information they know about what is being seen on the scope. It is also really nice to just set up a blanket and stare at the sky.” This year they will be adding the guided laser constellation tour.
“It’s amazing how well you can follow the laser and understand what they are actually talking about,” she added.
