2015

Western Desert  Historic Geology  Wild Features Driving Tours  Dark-Sky Wildlife Protection Need About Us

  Natural areas are dark at night but the photographs below show how much light is emitted from nearby cities. Yuma, Phoenix, and Tucson show sky glow from light pollution.  But the Western Desert great night sky is a resource that is becoming increasing rare.  This image shows North America's light pollution.  Photos by P. Cinzano/F. Falchi (University of Padova) C. D. Elvidge (NOAA NG Data Center).

  Arizona’s clear skies have long been an asset for major observatories. But now the naturally dark, night sky, is recognized as important to wildlife and is becoming an attribute to real estate.
   The Western Desert has a night sky that shows off the Milky Way - a resource lost to most cities. The night sky over the crescent region still marvels those that take the time to look up! Amateur astronomers and clubs visit this area to enjoy the dark, clear, night sky.  Eagletail and Harquahala Mountains, north to Alamo Lake is some of Arizona’s darkest night sky’s.   Annually, Alamo Lake State Park plus the AstroVerde.com astronomy club hosts the November ‘Night Under the Stars” star party. In 2013, over 200 children and adults enjoyed the Night Under the Stars at Alamo Lake!

Crescent moon and Jupiter.

See LOSING THE DARK the new Dark-Sky.org Video!   
   The smart use of outodoor lighting can preserve the Arizona night sky while reducing electric costs for businesses and homeowners.
   The International Dark-Sky Association is the Tucson based group that began the world-wide effort to preserve the night sky. Excellent handouts cover the needs of wildlife species and options for cutting energy waste while stopping light pollution.
Learn more at: http://www.darksky.org

 The “C” or crescent shaped black area in western Arizona still enjoys a dark, natural, night sky.  Recent tests by WDA members used a Sky Quality Meter that registered 21.4 near Harquahala Peak which indicates this resource is still rated very dark.

Want to go stargazing? Check out weather at Saddle Mountain for stargazing here!

Nightscape conservation tips start  with picking good outdoor fixtures for your home and business.

See more about the
2012 Night Under the Stars here.
   

Night Under the Stars - 9th Annual Event - November 7th  2015!

At Alamo Lake State Park. join us for safe solar viewing on Saturday and great stargazing that night with the AstroVerde Astronomy Club.