As unchanging as Saturn's rings, the volunteer members of the Coconino Astronomical Society (CAS) have been quietly keeping Flagstaff alight for more than 30 years, sharing the wonders of the cosmos with locals and visitors and working to keep the night sky dark.

““We are trying to contribute to the preservation of this fragile natural resource that is gradually disappearing all over the country due to light pollution,” said Klaus Brush, CAS director and former biologist.

CAS was founded over 30 years ago as a nonprofit organization to promote astronomy to the public and advocate for dark skies in and around Flagstaff. Volunteer members bring telescopes to public events and educate skywatchers of all ages about the cosmic objects they can see in Flagstaff's starry skies.

““I've cherished Flagstaff's dark skies since moving here in 1990,” says CAS Treasurer Anne Wittke, who is also a member of the Flagstaff Dark Sky Coalition (FDSC). “It's always an emotional feeling to step into my driveway and see the beautiful Milky Way arching overhead with the constellations Orion and Scorpio, which I never got to see in New Jersey.”

CAS members meet monthly at Lowell Observatory to present to the public on a wide range of topics, from the origins of the universe to the search for life in the stars, galaxies, and other planets. Additionally, CAS partners with Lowell Observatory, the FDSC, the National Park Service, and others to host stargazing events in dark locations such as Buffalo Park, Sunset Crater, and Wupatki National Monument.

““Other popular events include solar observation parties at local schools and Science in the Park at the annual Flagstaff Science Festival,” Brush said.

“We also provide CAS volunteers to operate telescopes at Homolobi State Park and Twin Arrows Casino, providing more opportunities for visitors to enjoy the dark night skies,” said CAS Vice President Barry Malpass, who also noted that the organization has donated four large telescopes to the Navajo Star School, about 25 miles east of Flagstaff.

““CAS membership is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy or related fields,” Brush said. “Most members own their own telescope or backyard observatory, but that is not a prerequisite for joining. All you need is a curiosity and a desire to learn about astronomy and related sciences.”

Many CAS members are active celestial and nightscape photographers whose work has been published in books and scientific journals, including Astronomy Magazine and Sky & Telescope Magazine.

“As a longtime CAS member, I'm old enough to remember a time when it was possible to see the Milky Way with the naked eye in major cities, but now it's not possible due to excessive and unnecessary outdoor lighting,” Brush added. “Flagstaff is a rare example of that exception and a model that many other communities are now trying to emulate. But even here, the world's first International Dark Sky City, constant vigilance is required to keep it that way, and CAS, in partnership with FDSC and Lowell Observatory, is committed to doing just that.”

““That's why FDSC recognizes and celebrates the dedicated members of Coconino Astronomical Society as Dark Sky Champions,” said FDSC Executive Director Chris Luginbourg. “They are faithful stewards of our starry skies and are passionate about sharing the cosmos with others.”

CAS members will be setting up telescopes at Buffalo Park for the Flagstaff Star Party, which will be held during the Confederacy Night Celebration, Sept. 26-28. FBN

Photo credit: The Andromeda Galaxy is the largest galaxy in the Local Group, which includes our own Milky Way Galaxy. Located about 2.5 million light-years from Earth, the Andromeda Galaxy is home to about one trillion stars and is visible to the naked eye under very dark skies. “It's a beautiful sight even in a medium-sized amateur telescope, a really spectacular, colorful object,” said Brush, a member of the Coconino Astronomical Society who captured the image.