Our Blog

FH Dark Sky Association Merchandise Now Available

FH Dark Sky Association Merchandise Now Available

Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association swag is now available to purchase at Cards of Fountain Hills in the plaza by the fountain! Many have asked how they can get our products outside of our festivals, and now we've made it easy for everyone while partnering with a local...

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Crime & Safety in a Dark Sky Community

Crime & Safety in a Dark Sky Community

  There is a myth that a brightly lit nighttime environment improves safety and security. However, studies have not found evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crime or increases safety. A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY We all desire to keep ourselves and our...

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New Board Officers

New Board Officers

The Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association has elected new board officers to replace the chair/co-chair structure. Please welcome them to their new roles: Scott Adams, President; Vicky Derksen, Vice President; Kim Robertson, Secretary; and Jeff Esposito, Treasurer. Other...

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How Light Pollution Prevents Eyes from Adapting to the Dark

How Light Pollution Prevents Eyes from Adapting to the Dark

Guest post from Tony Pistilli, board member of Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association Why are Dark Skies Important? On the surface of this subject, it appears non-Dark Sky compliant lights scatter light into the sky and prevent us from “seeing” stars. This is partially...

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The Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer

As the summer heat sizzles toward the end of July, you might hear someone refer to it as the “dog days of summer”. Most people think this phrase means that it is getting so hot outside that even the dogs feel miserable. In reality, this ancient term refers to an...

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Student Art Contest Winners

Student Art Contest Winners

The Dark Sky art and photo contest caught the attention of students in all age ranges, to use their artistic skills to at a chance of winning stellar prizes!

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Dark Sky Festival Presentation Lineup

Dark Sky Festival Presentation Lineup

Presentations at this Saturdays Dark Sky Festival will include: Geoff Notkin speaking about his "Adventures Of A "Meteorite Man", Dr. John Barentine, in "The Role Of Cities In Confronting The Loss Of Nighttime Darkness", and Dr. Jeffrey Hall, on "The Discovery Channel...

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Star Party and Laser Tour

Star Party and Laser Tour

The Fountain Hills Astronomy Club will be hosting the largest Star Party of the year during the Dark Sky Festival. Dozens of local astronomers will bring their telescopes to allow guests to peer into the cosmos to see planets, stars, and the beautiful craters of the...

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Ted Blank earns Dark Sky honor

Ted Blank earns Dark Sky honor

The International Dark Sky Association presented its annual awards recently at the IDA meeting held in Utah. Among this year’s recipients is Ted Blank of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association. “I was extremely proud that I was able to represent Fountain Hills and...

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Public Star Parties

Public Star Parties

  Hi fellow stargazers! The Fountain Hills Astronomy Club is back from a long summer break with some fun public star parties coming up. Our star parties are held in Centennial Circle next to the Fountain Hills Community Center and behind the Library. The "Friends of...

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Cronkite News Interview

Cronkite News interviewed committee members to learn more about how Fountain Hills became and International Dark Sky community.

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River of Time Museum’s Dr. Charles Juels Telescope Exhibit

River of Time Museum’s Dr. Charles Juels Telescope Exhibit

During the River of Time Museum’s grand opening of the Dr. Charles Juels telescope exhibit, Ted Blank gave presentations about how Dr. Juels discovered over 300 asteroids in his backyard in Fountain Hills using the telescope on display.  Mr. Blank noted that Dr. Juels...

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Presenting Commemorative Plaque to Town of Fountain Hills

Presenting Commemorative Plaque to Town of Fountain Hills

Our Board Members presented a commemorative plaque to the Town of Fountain Hills, alongside Mayor Kavanagh and Town Councilmembers on Tuesday, Feb 20, in recognition of the Town of Fountain Hills designation as a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky...

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Fountain Hills Men’s Discussion Group Presentation

On November 13, Ted Blank and Joe Bill gave a presentation to about 50 members of the Fountain Hills Men’s Discussion Group. They discussed light pollution, history of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association, plans for the FH Dark Sky Festival in April, and the work...

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