Flagstaff Science Festival Celebrates Dark Skies and Science
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — The Flagstaff Science Festival, known as the nation’s longest-running free science festival, is in full swing this weekend. The event features scientists from around the globe and this year highlights Flagstaff’s designation as an International Dark Sky City.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Flagstaff becoming the first city to receive this prestigious title.
Spotlight on the Stars
Since 1894, astronomers at Lowell Observatory have contributed significantly to our understanding of the universe. They discovered Pluto and established that the universe is constantly expanding, while also aiding in Flagstaff’s recognition as an International Dark Sky City.
As a designated dark sky city, Flagstaff has implemented restrictions on outdoor lighting, ensuring that all streetlights emit orange light to minimize skyglow. Currently, over 200 cities have achieved dark sky certification.
Historian Kevin Schindler from Lowell Observatory remarked that the festival serves as a window into the work researchers typically conduct behind the scenes. “Having the dark skies is what makes astronomy so special here,” Schindler noted. He added that the ability to see the Milky Way is a rare experience for many Americans, as 80% live in light-polluted areas.
Continuing Science Beyond the Festival
Flagstaff stands as the nation’s first designated STEM community, with Lowell Observatory perched above it since 1894. Schindler highlighted the historic convergence of diverse professions in Flagstaff, saying, “You know, cowboys and ranchers and railway workers and scientists rubbing shoulders.”
The observatory’s founder, Percival Lowell, believed in the importance of sharing scientific knowledge with the public. “What’s the point of doing science if you don’t share it with everybody?” Schindler reflected.
Sam Lockhart, a planetary science student at Northern Arizona University, shared that Flagstaff’s protected dark skies were a key factor in his decision to study there. “Being in a protected dark sky community means that there is a collective awareness and willingness to protect our night skies and connect with the cosmos,” Lockhart expressed.
The festival also features a star party at Buffalo Park, allowing the public to view the stars through over a dozen telescopes for free.
Although the science festival concludes on Sunday, Schindler assures that the scientific endeavors continue. “It’s not just a historic footnote; it’s the continuum of things still happening today,” he said.
For more details, you can find the full schedule for the science festival here.
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