BY KAREN BOSSICK

Tonight’s grand opening of the Sawtooth Observatory in Stanley will be marked by a First Light Ceremony.

The First Light Ceremony marks the moment when a newly constructed or upgraded telescope captures its first official look at the night sky.

The ceremony will be held at 8:30 p.m. tonight—Saturday, July 18—at the new observatory in Stanley’s Pioneer Park.

There’ll be light refreshments, and the Idaho Dark Sky Alliance (IDSA) will have experts on hand to connect people to the array of stars in the sky Participants are invited to bring a picnic blanket or camp chairs to enjoy the night sky. Extra telescopes will be set up throughout the park.

RSVP to let organizers plan for refreshments at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/idaho-dark-sky-alliance-sawtooth-observatory-first-light-ceremony-tickets-1990525583604?aff=oddtdtcreator

The new observatory is equipped with a 14-inch Celestron telescope, along with research and astrophotography cameras and a variety of eyepieces for visual observing. The Sawtooth Observatory is a significant step forward for the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve as it will further the Reserve’s education, outreach and research.

The new observatory will provide a permanent hub for public programs and light pollution research. And it will expand opportunities for visitors and residents to experience the wonders of the night sky.

On Aug. 11, for instance, it will host a viewing of the Perseid-Palooza meteor shower. A second viewing will be held at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden near Ketchum.

The 900,000-plus acre Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, established in 2017 as the first Dark Sky Reserve in the United States, is home to some of the darkest skies in the continental United States, making it the perfect place to explore the universe.

Other nearby places to enjoy the night sky is Bruneau Dunes State Park where the observatory's 27.5-inch research-grade telescope, valued at nearly $3 million, provides breathtaking views of planets, nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.

In recent years, the facility has also expanded its capabilities for scientific research through remote operation and imaging, making it one of the premier astronomy facilities in the state.

Boise State University operates a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope alongside several portable Unistellar telescopes that allow students to participate in observing projects both on campus and throughout the state. Boise State University also operates a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope just outside the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve in Challis for research and student use.

At the College of Southern Idaho's Centennial Observatory, a 24-inch Ritchey-Chrétien reflector welcomes thousands of visitors each year for public star parties, while serving as an educational resource for students and the community.