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Chiricahua National Monument Earns Dark Sky Status

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By NPT Staff - May 4th, 2021

Chiricahua National Monument has become the 104th International Dark Sky park./NPS file

Chiricahua National Monument in Arizona, in partnership with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, will be hosting a special dark sky event Saturday to celebrate the park's certification as the 104th International Dark Sky Park.

This certification recognizes the exceptional quality of the park’s night skies and provides added opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through astronomy-based interpretive programming.

"The park is proud to advance the preservation of night skies in the Sky Islands and to provide visitors with a memorable experience of our exceptionally starry nights at Chiricahua,” said acting Superintendent Matthew Carroll. “This recognition arose from the hard work of employees across the Southeast Arizona Group of National Park Sites. We look forward to future collaboration with our partners at the International Dark-Sky Association and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. National parks are among the best places on Earth to see a sky full of stars, planets, and galaxies.”

The celebratory event will be held at the Faraway Ranch parking lot, 1 mile beyond the park entrance. Registration is limited and social distancing will be required.

During the event, Jim O’Connor from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will present a laser-guided tour of night sky objects. The night sky tour begins at 7:30.m. and will be followed at 8:15 p.m. by telescope viewing via monitor with astronomer Bernie Stinger. Participants might expect to see nebulae, galaxies, globular clusters, and more night sky objects.

Participants should dress warmly; bring drinks, snacks, a portable chair or blanket to sit on, and a flashlight with a red filter, if possible. Registration is required and limited for this COVID safe special event. To register, call the visitor center desk at 520-824- 3560 x9302.

Chiricahua National Monument is located four miles east of the Arizona Highway 181 and 186 junction, and 37 miles southeast of Willcox. Check www.nps.gov/chir for more park information, or call the visitor center at 520-824-3560 ext. 9302. For details about the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, visit www.tucsonastronomy.org.

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