Featured Photograph
Dumbbell Nebula
© 2026 Lou Klejbuk
The Dumbbell Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Vulpecula, only 1,200 light years away. Planetary nebulae were once thought to represent areas of planet creation. However, that is not true, and we understand these nebulae to be old dying stars shedding outer layers of gas. M27 hosts many knots of gas and dust (orange). These dense knots of gas and dust form when the stellar winds are not powerful enough to blow away a larger clump of matter but are able to blow away smaller particles, creating a trail behind the clump.
This image was created using 223 30-sec RGB images through an Optolong L-eNhance light pollution filter that transmits key nebulous wavelengths: Hydrogen-Alpha, Hydrogen-Beta and Oxygen-III. Data were captured using an Astro-Tech 152mm EDT Triplet APO with a .72x reducer/field flattener (f/6.4). PixInsight processing included flat and dark calibration frames.
Lou Klejbuk
The featured photograph is any astronomical photograph provided by one of our members. If you are a member and have a photograph you would like to submit, please refer to the Featured Photo Guidelines for more information. The submission deadline is the 15th of each month.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Presenter: Danielle Adams, Ph.D.
Title: Arabian Stars of Summer in the Dark Skies of Flagstaff
As Flagstaff continues to celebrate its 25th anniversary as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, Danielle Adams will explore the intersections of dark skies and cultural astronomy through the rich heritage of indigenous Arabian astronomy, with a special focus on telling stories from Arabian skies that depended on seeing stars near the limits of naked-eye visibility. She will also update CAS on Flagstaff’s Silver Jubilee activities so far and preview what comes next as summer transitions to autumn.
Dr. Danielle Adams is a cultural astronomer and dark sky advocate who serves as the executive director of the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition, where she uses the inspiration of pristine desert skies to advocate for the modern-day preservation and restoration of dark skies. A resident of Flagstaff, Arizona—the world’s first International Dark Sky City—Danielle is active in informal astronomy education and astrotourism, speaking to various groups about the rich heritage of cultural astronomy in our modern skies as a driver for restoring dark and starlit skies around the world.
CAS Monthly Meetings and Astronomical Programs are held the
Saturday closest to the Full Moon at the Mars Hill Campus of
Lowell Observatory, Hendricks Center for Planetary Studies
Auditorium (6:45 pm - 8:00 pm), unless otherwise noted followed
by refreshments, and informal discussion. Meetings are open and free
to the public.
