Astronomers
of
Verde Valley
            
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These are our press releases so far this year.
For More Information Please Contact:
Astronomers of Verde Valley
PO Box 714 Cottonwood, AZ 86326
If
you are aware of an item of news or an event that relates to
astronomy in the Verde Valley, please send us an e-mail with the
relevant details.
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Photo: J D Maddy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2019:
J.D. and Karen Maddy received an Award of Excellence for their work in Night Sky Preservation by
the Keep Sedona Beautiful organization. JD and Karen have been extremely active in doing star
parties and other events to focus on the night sky and keeping it dark.
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Photo: J D Maddy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29th, 2018:
The Astronomers of Verde Valley met at the Red
Rock Ranger Station Visitor Center just south of the VOC to view the Sun
thru specialized solar telescopes. Later that evening, the telescopes
were trained on the planets and other objects in the Milky Way.
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Photo: J D Maddy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11th, 2018:
The Astronomers of Verde Valley set up
telescopes in preparation for the evenings star party at Sunset Crater
National Monument. Sunset Crater N M has been designated a Dark Sky Park
by the International Darksky Association.
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Click for full size
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26th, 2015:
The Astronomers of Verde Valley attended the Sci Tech
Festival at Camp Verde High school showcasing views of the Sun thru
specially designed solar telescopes. Also, the planet Venus could be
seen thru another telescope. Over 700 kids and teachers viewed the huge
solar flares and large Sun spots.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25th, 2013:
The National Park Service for the Tuzigoot-Montezuma
Well-Montezuma Castle Monuments held their volunteer appreciation
luncheon on Nov 25th, 2013. Among other awards for individuals efforts
at the Monuments, the Astronomers of Verde Valley received a 5 year
volunteer award for their programs at Tuzigoot National Monument. Every
spring, a star gazing program is given by the Astronomers for the
residents and visitors to the Monument.
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Image: Red Rock State Park
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9th, 2013:
Written by Corwin Gibson
October 31st, 2013
For those who have been meaning to get out to Red Rock State Park for
their star
parties
nighttime viewings and
astronomy presentations the last chance for the season is coming on
Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:15 p.m.
Halley Bagley, ranger specialist with the park, said that the whole
series has been in collaboration with the Astronomers of the Verde
Valley, who volunteer their time, knowledge and resources chiefly
their telescopes as a program that started in the spring, and now also
includes participation from Keep Sedona Beautiful as part of their
efforts to have Sedona classified as an official Dark Sky Community.
Keep Sedona Beautiful is excited to be a partner in sponsoring this fun
and interesting star party.
Once you look through one of the telescopes you may want to make
astronomy your new hobby, Joanne Kendrick of KSB said. Come and enjoy
the beauty of our Sedona night sky!
For the full story, see the Friday, Nov. 1, edition of the Sedona Red
Rock News.
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Image: J D Maddy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6th, 2012:
The continued effort of the Astronomers of Verde Valley working
with the Arizona State Parks has earned the club recognition as the 2012 Team of
the Year. The AZ Parks Team of Richard Bohner, John & Terry Wozniak, Dennis
Casper, Doug Ostroski and J D & Karen Maddy were mentioned at a recent awards
luncheon in Flagstaff, AZ.
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Image: J D Maddy
Photo: Tye Farrell
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6th, 2010:
The Astronomers of Verde Valley hosted the 4th Annual Night Under the
Stars at Alamo Lake State Park. With the clouds hampering solar viewing
Saturday afternoon, the astronomers exhibited pictures and passed out
posters and information from the Night Sky Network. The night began at
dusk with a presentation on telescope etiquette and a slide show of
astronomy images. The viewers grew to over 100 as the evening
progressed. The daytime clouds parted and left the skies dark and clear.
Many of the group were able to combine telescope viewing and aerobics by
viewing through Dennis Casper's "Ladder Master", an 18 inch telescope
that required the use of a 10 ladder to view through. The Northern
Arizona University Astronomy Club came out also with four students and
two of their clubs telescopes. Many of the group were returning viewers
that had been to past events at the Lake.
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Photo: J D Maddy
Photo: Bob Casavant |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11th, 2010:
Local members of the Astronomers of Verde Valley attended the 2nd
Kartchner Caverns Star Night event. Over 200 were in attendance to gaze
through the many telescopes set up in the parking area.
Several others from the
Huachuca Astronomy Club and from Tucson set up their scopes as Bob Gent,
RIM Research Associate for the State Parks (also past IDA and
Astronomical League President) started off the program with
introductions and such. J D Maddy took over and enlightened the crowd on
what to expect to see and not see as the evening progressed. Also, JD
interjected telescope etiquette and how to use each telescope to their
benefit. "Im glad I spoke about averted vision, as many of the viewers
used it to see some of the fainter objects we observed". As the crowd
grew to now about 200, they approached the 8 or so scopes and the
serious viewing began. We encountered people from Tucson, Sierra Vista,
Phoenix, Chandler and even from Germany, the UK and Africa. As the sky
darkened, the Milky Way cut a path across the sky with uncountable stars
and objects showing up. ET, also known as the Owl Cluster was popular
with the younger crowd. Faint galaxies were also seen, as well as
globular clusters, open clusters, and nebula at the center of our own
galaxy.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronomers and Bikers Unite
August 10, 2010:
The Bike and Build riders
visited Cottonwood this week. This is a group of college students that
are biking across America to bring to light sub standard housing. The
Astronomers of Verde Valley entertained the group on Monday with a star
party under the dark skies of the Verde Valley. As the clock ticked
towards 5PM, the Clubs Solar Telescope was set up and many of the kids
enjoyed the views of a really nice loop flare and also two candle wick
flares. A large sunspot was right in the center of the Sun. As they
began to prepare for dinner, a slide show was started with our Club's
astro photos in the dinning area of the Verde Valley Christian Church.
VVCC sponsored sleeping quarters for their stay. After dinner, the fun
began. The Star Party started. Venus was glowing brightly in the West
with Saturn and Mars nearby in a nice conjunction. Many were amazed at
the half Venus. It is only 50% illuminated right now. As the skies
darkened, Saturns Moons started to show. Titan, of course, was the
first to be seen. Other scopes started showing deep sky objects like
M57: the Ring Nebula, M22: Globular Cluster, Double Stars and much more.
Even the Whale Galaxy (NGC4631) made an appearance. The steady stream of
the 32 riders didnt ease until after 10PM. Doug O started counting the
ooohs and aaahs and wows at first, but, soon lost count. They were just
too numerous. As the skies really darkened, galaxies and faint nebula
and even the Veil Nebula showed up in Jim Ss big 17 incher. As the
evening wound down, more one on one time was spent with those that
stayed around looking and listening to the explanations about what they
were seeing. Several had just completed college courses on astronomy,
but, they said it was nothing like seeing the real thing. Some even
brought their sleeping gear out and were going to sleep out under the
stars after we left. And, of course, the crew was treated to a -6
Iridium Flare that lasted about 30 seconds below Polaris! Many
pre-cursors to the Perseids Meteor Shower peaking later this week
entertained those looking up. Even a bolide made a quick appearance. For
more information on Bike and Build, go to their website at
http://bikeandbuild.org/cms/.
- J D Maddy |
Astronomers of Verde Valley wait for darkness to fall.
Ken Zoll gives a presentation on
archaeoastronomy. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10th, 2010: The Astronomers of
Verde Valley in conjunction with the Festival of Native American
Culture, sponsored the 2nd Annual Tuzigoot Star Gaze at the Tuzigoot
National Monument. A crowd of just over 100 descended upon Tuzigoot
National Monument to listen to Ken Zoll talk about archaeoastronomy,
listen to David Wolfs Robe and his soothing flute music and gaze through
the telescopes of the Astronomers of Verde Valley.
As darkness set in, the clouds that had been overhead dissipated. A
glowing Venus was over the head of Ken Zoll as he spoke about the Native
American use of the Sun and Stars in their everyday lives. As the Star
Party began, David Wolfs Robe began to play his flute with a slide show
of the Clubs astronomy pictures playing across from him.
For this years event, the Park Rangers illuminated the
Ruins with red lanterns, giving an unique view of them.
- J D Maddy |
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Dirty Verde Roller
Derby Girls
Image: Nancy Snyder
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronomers Hit the River
Front Skate Rink
May 15, 2010: It could have been the matchup of
the decade. The Astronomers of Verde Valley vs the Dirty Verde Roller
Derby girls. But, it wasn't to happen. Instead, the astronomers lined up
their scopes on the hockey rink and showed off some of the spring sky
wonders. Venus was glowing brightly in the west after sunset near a
wondrous looking 2 day old crescent Moon. Soon after, looks at Saturn
and Mars wowed the crowd. Two special treats were in store for the sky
watchers also. The International Space Station made a brilliant pass
over the Rink and the Space Shuttle Atlantis came by later as it chased
the ISS for docking. Then, after a bit, Iridium satellite #40 made a
bright flash just below the constellation Hercules. Other stellar sites
like M13, M92, NGC2403, Omega Centari, Sombrero Galaxy, the Leo Triplet
of Galaxies, M100, The Ring Nebula and M106 captured the attention of
the avid sky watchers. A large screen in the background played a
slide show of pictures taken by club members.
- J D Maddy |
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This young student takes a look at
the Moon before sunset.
Image: Karen Maddy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Astronomers Invade Cottonwood School
April 19, 2010: St. Joseph's
Grade School was the scene of whirring telescopes and oohs and aahs as
the students and adults peered through the many optical instruments
gathered on the play ground of the campus. Although the skies were
covered with clouds during the day, the evening opened up for a clear
cool night. Even before dark, the scopes were trained on the planets
Venus, Saturn and Mars as well as our local neighbor, the Moon. Also,
two of the moons of Saturn were visible and the shadow of the ring
system circling Saturn could be seen cutting a dark line across the
planet. As
darkness fell, stars like Sirius, Arcturus and Betelgeuse lit up the
sky. An Iridium satellite brightened slightly as it passed overhead,
near Saturn. As the evening progressed, some 50 students, Moms, Dads, Teachers
and even Grandparents gazed at clusters, nebula and even distant
galaxies 60 million light years away. The Astronomers were kept so busy,
they missed out on the Smores being made not far away!
- J D Maddy |
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This is an image of the Crab
Nebula, Charles Messier's first cataloged object, M1. It is actually not
a nebula, but a structure left over from a star that exploded as a
supernova in the year 1054 AD.
Image: Dick Haugen
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Posse Ground Park Star Party
April 08, 2010: Sedona residents
and visitors from around the world gathered at the Park Thursday night
for viewing the universe through telescopes belonging to the Astronomers
of Verde Valley. A previous presentation and star party was cloudy out
and this was the date for the make up star party. Everyone walked away
with a smile after viewing Venus, Mercury, Mars and Saturn in the
evening sky. Other objects like the Messier Catalog, clusters,
globulars, super nova remnants and nebula were on the list of items seen
by the crowd.
- J D Maddy |
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This is an
image of the Orion Nebula, also known as M42. This was taken at Alamo
Lake State Park as eager amateurs astro photographers looked on. This is
a stack of 5 images from 2 seconds to 10 seconds. Canon 450D DSLR on a
GPS11 Hyperstar 3.
Image: JD Maddy
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3rd Annual Night Under The
Stars: November 14, 2009
(International Year of Astronomy)
The 3rd Annual event celebrated the International Year
of Astronomy (IYA); it's been 400 years since Galileo first used his
homemade telescope to discover never before seen celestial objects
(including the Galilean moons)! Since the closest town is nearly 40
miles away the star-gazing was spectacular! It was great to see so many
familiar faces return for this event.
A 150 people viewed planets, moons, nebulas, and more
under a perfectly clear, dark sky. There were 13 telescopes brought by
dedicated groups and individuals from around Arizona. There was 1 solar
telescope and 3 solar filters used to view the sun before sunset
(getting to see solar flares). Some of the celestial objects viewed
included: Jupiter and 4 of its moons, Venus, Mars, the Ring Nebula, M13,
M22, Dumbbell Nebula, NGC 457, the Pleiades star cluster, the Double
Star, the Andromeda galaxy, and the stars Polaris, Vega, and Altair.
Check out the photos from the evening below; no
photographs are taken after sunset to protect everyone's night vision.
We are excited about hosting another event in 2010.
http://azstateparks.com/parks/ALLA/events_2009_nightunderstars.html
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This is an
image of Jupiter and its four Galilean moons, photographed
by Voyager 1. They are not to scale, but in their correct
positions.
Image: Courtesy of NASA
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Clarkdale Haunted by Astronomers
AVV gets out the 'scopes for Clarkdale
April 11th, 2003 -- High thin clouds and wide-spreading vapor trails did not keep the Astronomers of Verde Valley from sharing the dark skies of downtown Clarkdale with the local residents. Ten member telescopes and three local resident-owned scopes were on hand to view the heavens from the Clarkdale Town Square. Nearly 60 people came by to look through the variety of telescopes on hand ranging in size from 4 inch to 28 inch. Four computer-guided scopes were also there. The planet Jupiter was the featured object with its Galilean moons flanking its sides. The clouds present barely dimmed Jupiter's bright reflection from our own sun. The cloud belts of the planet were easily seen from our earth-bound telescopes. A special treat for the public (and club members) was the transit of one of Jupiter's moons across the face of the planet. The tiny dot moved slowly across the face of Jupiter paralleling one of the cloud belts. Other objects that were seen included Jupiter's sister planet, Saturn, the always beautiful Orion Nebula and several Messier star clusters.
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J. D. Maddy |
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Members setting up for
the star party at 6:30PM. JD poses in silhouette.
Other members are not so camera-conscious.
Photo: Radha Venkat
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturn
Star
Party
AVV hosts public star party at Riverfront Park Skating Rink
March 8, 2003 -- The Astronomers of Verde Valley conducted a star
party for the public on Saturday, March 8, commencing at 7:00 PM. The theme of
the star party was "Observing Saturn". Indeed, Saturn was a spectacular
sight high in the sky, its rings displayed in all their glory. Jupiter was a
splendid sight, too, with its four Galilean moons arrayed in a line on one side
of the planet. The crescent moon provided another compelling target for our
visitors. The site was not dark enough for many of the fainter deep sky objects
to be revealed in all their splendor, but some of the brighter ones attracted
attention.
According to the official count recorded by Karen Maddy, there were sixteen
member telescopes and over 135 public attendees.
- P. C. Gadfly
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Construction of Club Telescope
First Session of the Construction Crew
March 11, 2003 -- The scheduled date for the first session of the
AVV telescope construction crew is Saturday, March 15, at 6:00PM. The location
for this first session is the conference room at the Verde Valley Medical
Center. For more details, members should contact chief of the telescope design bureau,
Field Marshal William E. Kelley.
- P. C. Gadfly
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AstroVerde Is Voted into Existence
AVV members discover path of least resistance
February 15, 2003 -- In a striking example of going with the
flow, the attendees at the February 15, 2003 meeting of the AVV authorized by a
voice vote a proposal to set up a group message site on Yahoo! Groups under the
name of Astroverde. The member who proposed this idea, the club Gadfly, was
given license to "set everybody up" on this system. In the best
traditions of groupthink, a time frame was not specified. This means anything
(or nothing) can happen at any time. Amazingly enough, the group messaging site
has been set up and is currently operational at the web address:
http//www.astroverde.org.
When members will actually use the group messaging site for communication
purposes, is anybody's guess.
An indirect consequence of the group messaging effort is the present website,
which is the club's public presence. It was accomplished by totally stealthy
means by a committee of one.
- P. C. Gadfly
Webmaster update: Currently the yahoo group is no longer being used as
the Club has set up its own email server communicating with the world.
(2010)
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Here is some recent media coverage of our activities.
For More Information Please Contact:
Astronomers of Verde Valley
PO Box 714 Cottonwood, AZ 86326
928 649 0485
If you come across any press items
that relate to AVV that we have somehow missed, please send us an e-mail with the details.
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PRESS
COVERAGE
Red Rock News
AVV Hosts Saturn Star Party
March 18, 2003
Scopes replaced skates on a crystal clear Saturday night March 8 at the
Riverfront Park skating rink in Cottonwood. Astronomers of Verde Valley members
set up 16 telescopes of different sizes and types for a public star party
featuring our planet neighbor Saturn. The nice weather brought out over 135
spectators of all ages to look at the cosmos, and everyone enjoyed going from
scope to scope to observe different celestial objects.
As expected, Saturn's prominent rings proved to be many people's favorite.
However, the craters and mountains of the Moon were also very popular. Of course
Jupiter was not to be outdone, showing off its pretty bands and moons of its
own. There were also several telescopes aimed at objects far outside our own
solar system such as nebulae, star clusters and even other galaxies.
The Astronomers of Verde Valley is an active club that welcomes anyone
interested in amateur astronomy, whether experienced or not. You need not even
own a telescope to join. Meetings are held one Saturday a month at 7pm in the
conference room of the Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood. The next three
meetings in 2003 are April 19, May 17 and June 21.
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