The Blue Ridge Astronomy Group (BRAG), a local amateur astronomy society, was instrumental in supporting MCC’s application to the Dark Sky Places Program.  According to Bob Hampton, BRAG President, “Our Star Park will begin life as an isolated oasis of darkness mostly surrounded by a desert of light pollution, but our efforts will help that oasis to grow and expand – to push back against the sky glow. We have the incredible opportunity to be an example to others who might go home and take another look at the lighting and light pollution where they live, and realize that it doesn’t need to be that way.”

Community members also participated in the IDS application process. Bob Hampton, President and Founder of the Blue Ridge Astronomy Group, and members supplied all the technical dark sky and star data that was required. Professional photographer Todd Bush captured astrophotography that shows the beauty of the night sky over the EnergyXchange:

Clockwise from upper left; Helix Nebula/NGC 7293 in the constellation Aquarius; Sculptor Galaxy NGC 253 in the constellation Sculptor; The Double Cluster/NGC 869/884 in the constellation Perseus; The Dumbbell Nebula/NGC 6853 in the constellation Vulpecula; and The North American Nebula NGC 7000 in the constellation Cygnus.

This IDA designation was gained from a collaboration of educational and other outreach events organized by Mayland Community College, the Yancey County Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Commission, and The Blue Ridge Astronomy Group (BRAG).  These efforts have resulted in Star Parties in a variety of locations since 2010. The Star Parties have been held on Mount Mitchell, Stars on the Square in Burnsville, NC, and at the EnergyXchange, the future site of the observatory.

MCC will partner with BRAG to offer dedicated on-site programming for quarterly dark sky events, as well as to implement a long-term plan to monitor the quality of the night sky over the Star Park for years to come.