Annual Events

Nov. 19, 2011: 5th Annual Night Under The Stars

Watch event video from 2010 at right. Observe the wonders of the night sky through astronomers’ telescopes at a dark sky park! Please note that no flash photos are allowed after dark to protect everyone's night vision. Please bring a red flashlight or for a small donation mini-red LED flashlights will be available at the event. Download Event Flier ( 891 KB PDF)

Afternoon Program, Noon - 3 pm
Solar Viewing, Mercury & Venus Viewing, Night Sky Network Information Tent

Evening Program, 5:15 pm
Observational Astronomy Slide Presentation with JD Maddy, President, Astronomers of Verde Valley

Star Viewing, 6 - 10 pm
View the skies through telescopes! See Jupiter, Comet Garradd 2009/P1, Andromeda Galaxy, Open Clusters, Globular Clusters, Planetary Nebula. Plus more!

Astro Photography Intro Workshop, 10 pm
Intro to Astro Photography using a Hyperstar & a digital SLR camera. The Flame & Horsehead Nebulae astro photo (at left) was taken at last year’s workshop! See the Astro Photos taken in 2010.

What to Bring
Water, snacks, red light, sweater or jacket, enthusiasm to enjoy and conserve our beautiful night skies!

Entrance Fees
$7 per vehicle (up to four adults) for the night of viewing, instruction and family fun. Camping is available at the park (additional fee). Reserve campsites online at AZStateParks.com

Event supported by Astronomers of Verde Valley (AstroVerde.org ). Alamo Lake SP is a proud member of the Global Star Park Network (see info below). Open invitation to Arizonan astronomy clubs: Help us continue to grow this annual event. Free, primitive camping sites are offered to participating astronomy clubs and individuals who bring a telescope to the Star Party. To register as a participating astronomer please email or call JD at jd(at)astroverde.org or call (602) 672-2032.

Attilla Danko has created a Clear Sky Chart for the park which is an astronomer's forecast. At a glance, it shows when it will be cloudy or clear for up to the next two days. It's a prediction of when Alamo Lake State Park will have good weather for astronomical observing. Learn More about the Clear Sky Chart

Alamo Lake Added to Global Star Park Network!

Star Award On March 3, 2011, Alamo Lake State Park (with the Astronomers of Verde Valley) & Kartchner Caverns State Park (with the Huachuca Astronomy Club) were the first state parks in the United States to be granted the "One Star at a Time" award and became a member of the Global Star Park Network. This award acknowledges the public stargazing events held at both parks in an effort to increase awareness of astronomy and preserving dark skies for future generations. The awards were presented by the StarLight Initiative, the One Star at a Time organization and Astronomers Without Borders. The Global Star Park Network aims to protect night environments, educate the public, and improve human habitat.