Flagstaff, the world's first Dark Sky City
Stargazing near Mars Hill, Flagstaff
Taught by Flagstaff's own star party astronomer
One astronomer, who runs Flagstaff's public star parties, teaches every course under some of the darkest skies in North America.
About the teacher
One astronomer teaches every lesson
Dark Sky Field School is taught by one astronomer, who also runs public star parties for the Flagstaff community. That same teaching happens here: finding your way across the sky with your eyes, then binoculars, then a first telescope.
Flagstaff is the world's first International Dark Sky City, and its skies are some of the darkest in North America. Every course is built from nights spent right under that sky, so what you learn online works the moment you step outside.
How it's taught
Built around how the sky is actually learned
Every course follows the same order the night sky rewards: eyes first, then glass.
Start with your eyes
Night-sky navigation first, so you can find planets and constellations without any gear.
Add binoculars next
Binocular astronomy opens star clusters and deep-sky views before you spend on a telescope.
Choose your first telescope
Set up and aim a telescope only once you already know the sky by eye and by glass.
Learn under a real dark sky
Every lesson is built from nights spent under Flagstaff's own dark sky, among the darkest in North America.
Start learning
Ready to find your way among the stars
Browse every course Dark Sky Field School offers, from night-sky navigation to your first telescope.