Outreach Activities

One of the missions of CAS is to increase the appreciation and knowledge of the science of astronomy within the community. It does this through presentations at its general meetings, hosting star parties, collaborating with other organizations to celebrate astronomy and Flagstaff’s dark skies, and engaging in other activities that promote interest and education in this exciting science. Below are examples of some of the outreach in which CAS has been involved. If you are interested in more information about our outreach activities, please contact us at info@coconinoastro.org.<

Click here to see the 2026 calendar

Willow Bend Environmental Center Public Telescope Viewing

CAS members Ernie Webb, Barry Malpas, Lou Klejbuk, Richard Edmonds and Jim Glish participated in a first-ever public telescope viewing hosted by the Willow Bend Environmental Center in March 2026. About 30 visitors attended the event and viewed the Moon, Jupiter, Venus, the Pleiades and many other deep sky objects.

I Heart Pluto Celebration

CAS members Lou Klejbuk, Jim Glish, Ernie Webb, Barry Malpas and Richard Edmonds participated in the February 2026 I Heart Pluto celebration at Lowell Observatory. As part of the centennial celebration of Route 66, this year’s event centered around the connection between Pluto and Route 66, as well as the 20th anniversary of Pluto’s reclassification. CAS members provided attendees with information regarding the organization, showcased member activities and accomplishments, and demonstrated the use of new generation of smart telescopes.

Willow Bend Environmental Center Science Saturday

CAS members Richard Edmonds, Ernie Klaus, Barry Malpas, and Jim Glish participated in the “Science Saturday Event - Earth and Planetary Science,” hosted by the Willow Bend Environmental Center in February 2026. Science Saturday is a free monthly program aimed at children and families, which provides hands-on activities promoting environmental education and inspiring curiosity about science and nature. In addition to providing participants with information regarding astronomy and the CAS organization, members set up stations for solar viewing and for demonstrating the use of a smart telescope. Also participating in the event were representatives of Lowell Observatory and the Meteor Crater Education Alliance.

2025 Flagstaff Festival of Science

The Flagstaff Festival of Science is a free annual 10-day event designed to promote awareness and enthusiasm for science in and about northern Arizona and beyond. Established in 1990, it is the longest, continuously running, entirely free science festival in the world. CAS has a long-standing tradition of providing outreach at the festival to celebrate astronomy and Flagstaff’s dark skies, and to promote interest and education in this exciting science.

Donation to Little Singer Community School

Seestar Telescope Donation © 2024 Lou Klejbuk

Barry Malpas (right), Vice-President of the Coconino Astronomical Society, presents a Seestar S50 digital telescope to Tom Tomas, Head Teacher and STEM Program Coordinator, of the Little Singer Community School, a tribally controlled Navajo Grant school, located on the Little Colorado River Basin in the far southwestern region of the Navajo Reservation. Funds for the telescope were provided from the Jim Phillips Endowment, which promotes astronomical education and public outreach. Barry Malpas