LETTER TO DARK SKY INTERNATIONAL FOR CHIMNEY ROCK TO HAVE “DARK SKY” DESIGNATION SIGNED BY MEMBERS

January 11, 2024

Board of Directors

Dark Sky International

5049 East Broadway Blvd.

Tucson, AZ  85711

Dear Board Members,

As President & members of the San Juan Stargazers, the Premier Astronomy Club of Southwest Colorado & part of the National Astronomical League, we have been anticipating & working for this important designation since our club began 12 years ago.  We strongly support the establishment of an IDA- accredited Dark Sky Area at Chimney Rock National Monument.

The most exciting factor in our work at the Monument is that we are carrying on the legacy of the ancient people who, we know, studied astronomy thousands of years ago & used the information in their lives. Our members usually present numerous programs from May to mid-October.   Once a month, near the time of the new moon we present an educational program titled Stars & Galaxies, after which we have the public walk among our telescopes looking at as many deep-sky objects as we have time to show.  Once a month when the moon is best visible, we have an educational program titled Our Solar System. We spend most of the time with telescopes focused on the Moon because it is so popular to see up-close & there are so many different interesting sights. Then we also view whichever planets are visible.  At most of our events we do a “Tour of the Night Sky” where we identify the brightest stars, constellations, planets & any other object of significance.  We send people home with a sky map so they can practice locating objects on their own.   We also have had programs & special public viewing at the time of the Perseid Meteor Showers.  When important daytime programs happen at Chimney Rock we bring out our Solar Telescopes to show everyone “Our Favorite Star”.

With all the programs we have, I think that Dark Sky Designation would increase the interest & desirability of seeing all we have to offer.  There is perhaps a more important reason: being that future generations need to be able to see the night sky as the ancient people at Chimney Rock saw it, in all its darkness, beauty, majesty and wonder.  Chimney Rock needs to & deserves to have this Dark Sky Designation.                               

                                                                  With great anticipation, 

                                                                  Joan Mieritz, MS, MA  

                                                                  303-995-2888   

                                                                  President of the San Juan Stargazers