Building an observatory in or near Kanab, will deliver many benefits to the rural Utah community. Kanab’s unique location, far away from major cities and surrounded by national and state parks, national forests, monuments and public lands, affords visitors and residents some of the best dark skies in the lower 48 states. Some of the main benefits are:

  • Community Enhancement
  • Educational Opportunities
  • Expanded Tourism

Community Enhancement

Stellar Vista Observatory will offer exciting night time activities, provide inspiration to thousands of people of all ages, and enhance community pride.

Nighttime Activities

  • Public star parties year round
  • Private night sky experiences
  • Scheduled lecture series

Community Pride

  • Venue for receptions and family reunions
  • Largest public observatory within 200 miles

Inspiration

  • Increase awareness and appreciation for the inestimable value of a star-filled sky
  • Make Kanab, Utah, a destination city for astronomy

Educational Opportunities

SVO will offer learning events for residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, collaborate with local schools and colleges in science, language arts and extracurricular programs; host star parties for a variety of interest groups including family reunions and weddings; and utilize traditional astronomy stories and concepts along with the most up-to-date scientific information to provide educational entertainment for the general public.

Intended learning outcomes for Stellar Vista Observatory in science and language arts include facilitating scientific process and thinking skills, manifesting interest and shaping attitudes toward cultural awareness, understanding important concepts and principles, communicating effectively using language and reasoning and demonstrating awareness of the social and historical aspects of science.

Stimulate Interest in Science

  • Affordable field trip destination for K thru 12
  • After school and summer programs for youth

Hands on Training

  • Operating telescopes
  • Planets, constellations, and deep sky objects
  • Insights into physics and astronomy

Tools for Educators

  • Teacher training in astronomy
  • Telescopes and classroom for teacher use
  • Partnering to enhance college level physics courses

Expanded Tourism

Astro-tourism is a fast growing subset of the international tourism industry. Studies show that more than 80% of the world’s population lives under light polluted skies. Twenty three certified state and national Dark Sky Parks are scattered across Utah; the greatest concentration of dark sky places anywhere! SVO will invigorate area businesses by providing an entirely new range of nighttime learning and discovery for visitors to Kane County and the City of Kanab from across the Americas and around the world.

Increase Local Revenue

  • Creates new reasons for visitors to experience Kane County, Utah
  • Night Sky activities require an overnight stay in the community
  • Kane County encircled by certified dark sky parks

Year-round Astro-tourism

  • Four-season compatibility thanks to mild winter weather
  • Steadily rising interest among visitors who cannot see the stars from where they live
  • Earth’s orbit and rotation, and the movement of the planets create new celestial attractions monthly