Our astronomy enthusiasts want to share their knowledge and observing equipment with the community while promoting light pollution (LP) awareness. We will have a few scheduled events (up to 15 between June and October 2025) at different locations within our area of concern. These include state and national park areas hosted by rangers who conduct programs for these parks as well as our nearby observatory (App State's Dark Sky Observatory). We may also hold some programs in more light polluted areas performing "sidewalk astronomy" for observations of the Moon and planets. Our objective for these events is to give people an opportunity to understand the area's potential for achieving International Dark Sky Status (as certified by Dark Sky International) and for people to get their first glimpse at objects and astronomical events never before seen through high quality instruments. We also hope to reach our goal of 850 survey responses by the end of the year which will help people think about the effects of light pollution and to provide us data to bring to local businesses and government. Most importantly we just want to have fun.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE!
see the DSO's website in our useful links section
This event is hosted by the N.C. Cooperative Extension of Watauga County and Ashe DSC and the NC Chapter of Dark Sky International will be participating in the event. This event will be held at the Blue Ridge Conservancy Building in Blowing Rock, N.C.
See the Dark Sky Observatory's website in our helpful links section for more information
Date time TBD (see the DSO's website in our useful links section)
Date time TBD (see the DSO's website in our useful links section)
Date time TBD (see the DSO's website in our useful links section)
Date time TBD (see the DSO's website in our useful links section)
Date time TBD (see the DSO's website in our useful links section)
Restricted to overnight campers only!
We will have up to one event per month in front of the visitor's center June through August (provided clear skies)
Open to everyone!
We will schedule one window (usually a Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (June - October) in which we will likely be out if skies are less than 50% cloud covered. If all three nights are clear we will be out two out of the three nights (so no more than two shows during the "window"). This will be hosted by the NPS for LP/Astronomy outreach and education.
Open to TBD.
We may also hold an event at Mt. Jefferson's Sunset Overlook provided Ranger support, but limit attendance due to parking limitations. We will also be happy to schedule other events at local establishments supporting the initiative as well as "sidewalk astronomy". For a request, please contact us at ashedarksky@gmail.com
A last minute unscheduled event
Two of our volunteers were setup along the parkway at the Thunderhill Overlook near Boone, NC for a few hours just to stretch our legs and see if we could get some survey responses. We entertained a few young couples (mostly students) and encouraged them to take our survey for the raffle. It was a fun few hours.
Date / Time April 26th, 2025 8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
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