Dark Skies Inc. has been present in the Valley since 1999, and under the leadership of the late Smokey Jackās presidency began the movement towards gaining recognition as an International Dark Skies Community. That goal was achieved in March 2015. In the decades since being designated an interĀnational dark sky community-the ninth on the planet, the first in Colorado, and still one of the highest in elevation-the achievements of the non-profit volunteer organization are noteĀworthy. Smokey Jackās legacy of course lives on: her name adorns the state-of-the-art obserĀvatory on the southwest corner of Bluff Park, opened and dedicated in November of 2015 as the Smokey Jack Observatory (SJO).
Dark Skies Inc. threefold mission incorpoĀrates preservation and observation of the natuĀral dark skies above us, while sponsoring and hosting a myriad of educational programs.
In preserving the natural gift of dark skies, the organization has kept us part of the remaining 16% of the worldās population who can view the Milky Way with unaided eye. The organization has worked with both towns, the county, the school district and local businesses and households in bringĀing non-light polluting lighting to the area. Streetlights, the football field lights, Celeste Vista Apartments, the medical clinic, the Courthouse, and ACE Hardware are examĀples of non-light polluting illumination. The current āWin-Win for the Stars!ā campaign provides up to $200 reimbursement for busiĀnesses and households who work with Dark Skies to replace light-polluting outdoor fixĀtures with non-light polluting equipment.
Observation is greatly enhanced, of course, by the SJO public and private viewĀing star parties hosted annually, May-SepĀtember. Monthly instructional telescope workshops have recently been added to the free public evening events. With the addiĀtion of a filtered solar telescope, daylight viewing of the Sun is also available.
Education is certainly a part of the obserĀvation mission, as docents talk viewers through what they are observing on any given evening program. In addition, though, in 2019 the organization established a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) local scholarship award for Custer County students who are entering a four-year college or university to major in a STEM discipline. The scholarship is named in honor of Sam Frostman, who for so many years was active in Dark Skies Inc. leadership.
In partnership with Custer County Schools Dark Skies Inc. also brought the solar teleĀscope and docents to the schools for observaĀtion and teaching, has assisted with Astronomy and Science education by providing funding for a portable planetarium, and has sponsored an elementary school art contest with the night sky, the solar system, and celestial events as a focus of the works submitted. Each year Dark Skies Inc. also distributes books about the stars and the solar system to every student in grades 1 through 5, encouraging them not only to read the book, but to take it home to read aloud to their parents and siblings.
Topping off educational programs, the interactive Planet Walk, extending from the Sun at Bluff Park to Neptune on the east side of Silver Cliffāat a true scale of four billion to oneāprovides opportunity for becoming more familiar with our solar system neighborhood.
Custer County residents, and the thouĀsands of visitors who have visited SJO from hither and yon in quest of stargazing advenĀture, are fortunate to have such a unique volĀunteer organization in our midst. The further good news is that you also have an opportuĀnity to join in the adventure. Volunteers are needed and welcome. Indicate your interest in becoming part of Dark Sky Inc. by conĀtacting info@darkskiescolorado.org. Better yet, look up the 2025 schedule at www.darkĀskiescolorado.org via the Star Parties and Events link, and venture down to SJO for a program and introduce yourself there. The schedule is also available throughout the towns on the bright pink flyer headed ā2025 Smokey Jack Observatory Summer Public Viewing Schedule,ā and included with this weekās edition of the Tribune.
Happy 26th and 10th birthdays, Dark Skies Inc! We delight in your presence.
ā W.A. Ewing
