CHIRICAHUA SKY VILLAGE LLC
A PRIVATE OBSERVING SITE
UNDER ARIZONA'S DARKEST SKIES
Innovative
Affordable
Inspiring
About Us
Our PAST
Our present
Our present
In 2018, a small group of amateur astronomers from the Pacific Northwest formed an LLC and established Goldendale Sky Village, a 30-acre dark sky site in eastern Washington. Our purpose was to have a place we could call our own where we could visually observe and image the universe whenever we wanted. Our business plan was simple: rai
In 2018, a small group of amateur astronomers from the Pacific Northwest formed an LLC and established Goldendale Sky Village, a 30-acre dark sky site in eastern Washington. Our purpose was to have a place we could call our own where we could visually observe and image the universe whenever we wanted. Our business plan was simple: raise capital by selling shares in the LLC, then give shareholders the right to use lots in the village for activities related to astronomy. The size of each lot was to be directly proportional to the size of the member’s capital contribution and most ranged from 5-10,000 sf. This innovative combination of private ownership and relatively small lots intentionally positioned close to each other has led to a unique observing environment that looks and feels like a permanent star party. Opportunities for socializing, exchanging ideas, and learning are as good as they can get. This village has become very popular and membership has grown to 59 members.
Our present
Our present
Our present
While eastern Washington has plenty of clear skies in summer, winter is a different story. In 2021, out of frustration from having so much precious observing time curtailed by bad weather, some members of Goldendale Sky Village, along with a few like-minded enthusiasts from around the country, established a sister village in southeaster
While eastern Washington has plenty of clear skies in summer, winter is a different story. In 2021, out of frustration from having so much precious observing time curtailed by bad weather, some members of Goldendale Sky Village, along with a few like-minded enthusiasts from around the country, established a sister village in southeastern Arizona where the skies offer year-round observing. Chiricahua Sky Village, as we call it, is organized as a legally independent LLC and has already attracted enough members to enable us to buy 92 acres of prime observing land under Bortle 1 skies. Its southern location affords long nights and excellent views of the galactic core. An altitude of 4,700 ft gives it cooler temperatures in summer. Horizons are rock bottom and neighbors are few and far between.
CSV now has 44 members from 6 states (AZ, CA, OR, WA, TX, OK). We have a gate and an RV-friendly road system that provides access to most lots. We also have a 40' shipping container for secure storage, and a new fence around the property keeps out cows and horses. Lots are arranged around common observing areas to promote socializing and education. We were fortunate to find such a beautiful place.
Our future
Our present
CSV Advantages
Chiricahua Sky Village has a great future ahead of it. Assuming the popularity of all things related to astronomy continue to soar, the potential for growth is enormous. Such a village could morph into a center of excellence for serious observers from all over North America – a must-go destination where those who crave an unforgettable d
Chiricahua Sky Village has a great future ahead of it. Assuming the popularity of all things related to astronomy continue to soar, the potential for growth is enormous. Such a village could morph into a center of excellence for serious observers from all over North America – a must-go destination where those who crave an unforgettable dark sky fix can go to get one, whenever they want, without having to ask for anybody’s permission. In the spaces between our roads, clusters of lots will be created, most of them encircling small, intimate telescope fields. Those members who arrive by RV will be able to park on their lots and set up their telescopes nearby. Others that fly into Tucson International Airport carrying airline-friendly equipment will be offered a glamorous camping - or ‘glamping’ - experience with luxury tent accommodations and comprehensive logistical support. Everything will be done to ensure members can enjoy their escape from the light pollution of the modern world and find peace as they explore the stars.
CSV Advantages
CSV Advantages
CSV Advantages
The private village has distinct advantages over traditional observing/star parties in the following ways:
1) The land is collectively owned by the LLC's members.
2) Buying as a group makes land much more affordable.
3) Members can come and go 24/7 as they please.
4) Members don't have to deal with the public, park rangers, headlights etc.
5
The private village has distinct advantages over traditional observing/star parties in the following ways:
1) The land is collectively owned by the LLC's members.
2) Buying as a group makes land much more affordable.
3) Members can come and go 24/7 as they please.
4) Members don't have to deal with the public, park rangers, headlights etc.
5) Members can build observatories and warming huts on their land for their own exclusive use.
6) Shares can be bought and sold at the market rate.
7) Shares become a part of a member's estate and can be passed down from one generation to the next.
8) The proximity between lots promotes social interaction and education.
9) Members from all over the country get to know and learn from each other and forge long-lasting friendships.
10) Members share a vested interest in the success of the village and put the extra effort into developing it to its full potential.
11) Members are given the opportunity to create a unique community for all amateur astronomers.
REMOTE IMAGING
CSV Advantages
REMOTE IMAGING
A reliable source of electricity from the grid enables our 44 members to conduct remote imaging from anywhere in the world. Instead of endlessly leasing a pier amongst strangers in a facility that they neither own nor control, they can now have their own pier, in their own observatory, on their own land, and amongst people they know - al
A reliable source of electricity from the grid enables our 44 members to conduct remote imaging from anywhere in the world. Instead of endlessly leasing a pier amongst strangers in a facility that they neither own nor control, they can now have their own pier, in their own observatory, on their own land, and amongst people they know - all for a much lower long-term cost. Members can pool their resources and build observatories with multiple piers in order to reduce costs even further. If this idea goes viral, becoming a member of Chiricahua Sky Village could be the most enjoyable and affordable way for amateur astronomers in distant, light-polluted cities to image objects in a dark sky.
Photo Gallery
CSV's location 100 miles southeast of Tucson.
Light pollution map of the area.
Our new front gate with the Chiricahua Mountains on the eastern horizon.
The first two warming huts at the village.
A member with his observing platform in the village's Cloverleaf neighborhood.
A member installing solar panels on top of his warming hut.
Show More
COCHISE COUNTY
