However, not all the action happens beneath the park. The New Mexico Skies Astronomy Enclave is 20 miles north of Deming, or 30 miles south of Silver City on highway 180, near the City of Rocks State stargazingPark. When it comes to major cities, Albuquerque is one of the best places for a stargazer to live. Thanks. Located on the Plains of San Agustin, the Very Large Array is a world-leading astronomical radio observatory. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains act as a barrier, mitigating the light pollution coming from Santa Fe. Its a tiny community surrounded by desert, and its far enough from the city that you dont have to worry about light pollution. Self-guided tours are available every day, and all tours are free of charge. She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many different perspectives. Stars-N-Parks hosts family friendly star parties in several southern New Mexico state parks: These family star parties offer camping in the state parks, tours of the night sky and sometimes visits to an observatory. While it fits more adventurous stargazers, it might be worth considering since the parks operating hours vary by season. Like most observatories, the campus authorities built the observatory strategically, as far as possible from light pollution, making it one of the best spots for stargazing in New Mexico. The Domes (High Rolls, NM, United States) Re-energize on the wraparound deck of this remote dome situated in New Mexico. The site features stunning preserved structures that the Pueblo Indians built and inhabited, including a 900-year old ancestral Pueblo Great House of over 400 masonry rooms. Tourism Jasper has a top ten list of the best places to stargaze in the national park, which includes Medicine Lake, Maligne Canyon and Lake, Columbia Icefields, and Pyramid Lake. Your e-mail will not be used for any other purpose. Five sites in New Mexico have been certified as dark places by the International Dark-Sky Association. Experience the magnificent New Mexican night sky with a stargazing tour with Astronomy Adventures. Stargazing in New Mexico is extraordinary. Additional snacks and drinks can be purchased. Visitors can observe the alignment of the north wall of Aztec West with the sunset position on the western horizon (check website for dates.). My name is Valerie, and I'm the founder of Space Tourism Guide! The regular booking calendar has been discontinued as I transition Astronomy Adventures to its new form. Get a unique glimpse of the past when you explore one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways in North America and a close-up look at the stars at the Lake Observatory. New Mexico, in general, is one of the best states in the country for stargazing. Details are included on the Meetings page and in all meeting announcement emails. Browse this map for a few of the top spots to stargaze in Albuquerque, then read on to learn more about them. The refuge staff has installed warm white and yellow lights to reduce the unnatural blue light that deters nocturnal animals. Thanks for stopping by and Clear Skies. As you can see, you wont have trouble finding plenty of areas offering pristine night skies. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. The night skies feature very little light pollution, and star-gazing events are hosted every month of the year during the week of the new moon for the general public. Very thank ful for this tour and Peters knowledge that he shared with us. There are beautiful hiking trails with spectacular views. The tours are a great way to experience the grandeur of an unspoiled night sky filled with thousands of bright, twinkling stars. This observatory is open to the public every Friday night. It is close enough to Albuquerque that it still gets some low-level light intrusion, but still, the park is a great place to explore the night sky. Please contact the club for up-to-date information on their viewing schedules, telescope . During the day, the owner provides plenty of fun activities, like horseback riding. 6. Arrive in daylight for a 360-degree view of the setting sun. Here are some of the best destinations to stargaze in New Mexico. The Astronomy Club at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology has a student-run observatory with very high-quality equipment. Provides spectacular views of the night sky. Co Rd. The darker half of the world-renowned national park is located in the Low Desert, making it a prime locale for spotting constellations and shooting stars. Chaco is an IDA-designated dark-sky park. Experience the breath-taking grandeur of twinkling stars on a pitch-black canvas without the interruption of city lights. You can sleep under the stars and enjoy a whole night gazing without a tour guide, or arrange a tour early and have a place to stay close by. It does get cold, take layers, binnies, mittens,scarfs hand warmers so you can enjoy to the fullest. Magdalena Ridge Observatory is a multi-use research and educational observatory. He's a true storyteller, and as we peered through his (awesome) telescope, he led us on an adventure through history, recounting early stellar mythologies to modern scientific discoveries and everything in-between. While they are not holding any right now, the park also hosts Telescope Programs during the summer months. Is the experience more scientific or storytelling/folklore about the constellations? Whereas there is light emanating from Alamogordo and the dunes reflect moonlight more radiantly than most places, the waves of gypsum dunes under the night sky merely add to the ambiance. Staying in Albuquerque. This Albuquerque stargazing location is far from light pollution and provides excellent views of the New Mexico night sky. We get together regularly and spontaneously for dark skyobservingusing everything from the naked eye, to binoculars, to telescopes large and small. Quadrantids Meteor Shower, January 3rd. The range of topics covered, and the depth to which they were covered, was truly impressive. Located at 10,600 feet in the Magdalena Mountains of the Cibola National Forest, theres no doubt that the Magdalena Ridge Observatory offers exceptional views of the night sky. The 275 square miles of glistening wave-like dunes of gypsum sand are enough reason to visit White Sands National Park. Looking to go stargazing in New Mexico? Evidence suggests that the ancient people who lived at Chaco watched the sun, moon, and stars too. Every event will have experts who can guide you through all the major planets and constellations. It also features a wide variety of wildlife, including 358 species of birds. Not to worry there are plenty more dark New Mexico skies to go around. Get more stories delivered right to your email. We engage in advocacy for dark skies,so that all may enjoy the beauty of the heavens. From Espaola, travel north on the road to Abiqui (84/285) for approximately 20 miles. Its a fun, laid-back environment for observing the sky. more. Certified as the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary located in North America, this park is a must-see when stargazing in New Mexico. New Mexico's first State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest, along Little Tesuque Creek. Hyde Memorial State Park was New Mexicos first state park and is a popular spot for hiking and camping. They also have a Dark Sky Viewing Area open all night for using telescopes or binoculars if youd like to do a stargazing session on your own. 102 South Ripley St., Mountainair, NM 87036, nps.gov. Besides preserving the monument, the site has excelled at preserving the quality of its dark skies. Founded in 1939, Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is a top spot to watch the migration of the Sandhill cranes in the fall. It does happen sometimes and may be short notice. The museum also has a planetarium where you can learn more about our universe. Hyde Memorial State Park is also a nice place to spend the night. The site protects over 33,000 acres of gorgeous rugged canyon and mesa country, plus evidence of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. Get an RV rental from Cruise America today! It has been a great run. She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many different perspectives. Situated between the Gila Wilderness and the Blue Range Primitive Area. We meet regularly toobserveas a group, toshare our passion for the night sky with the lay public, and toincrease our knowledge, understanding, and enjoyment of astronomy. Also see amateur astronomy clubs in NM. It is an oasis for stargazers in New Mexico because the park is elevated at 5,186 feet. The observatory is home to the New Mexico Tech Astronomy Club. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science hosts stargazing events on a monthly basis. The Albuquerque Astronomical Society frequently comes here for its high altitudes and desert environment. Capulin Volcano National Monument sits in one of the darker parts of the U.S. Head out to these amazing places ASAP: We know there are a lot of stargazers and amateur astronomers out there. If one of those people was you Thank you! Bandelier National Monument is another top New Mexico stargazing spot. However, the Campus Observatory offers visitors stunning views of the New Mexico night sky. The Orilla Verde Recreation Area also has campgrounds near the rivers edge. While professionals and amateur enthusiasts know that the Land of Enchantment is great by day and has astounding dark skies, most folks who just want to see the stars are more likely to end up looking at sites in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. The further you get from the city, the better your chances of seeing our galaxy. Also, conditions like transparency, referring to the clarity in the sky, affect your ability to see the night sky. El Malpais National Monument is a large area of protected land thats full of lava tube caves, cinder cones, and sandstone bluffs. The pitting matches the description of Type I pitting of copper, which has historically been attributed to water chemistry and to contaminants on the copper tubing surface. Start a dusk and end at what time? Start your stargazing New Mexico trip with an RV rental from Cruise Americas Albuquerque pickup location. As you can see, New Mexico is home to exquisite night skies all around. Peter loves astronomy, and his enthusiasm is infectious! Santa Fe is a good spot to view the night sky, even saw a shooting star for the first time, I was amazed by the telescope, I had no idea what to expect but it was massive. Do you have other questions about stargazing in Albuquerque? You can also find occasional stargazing events being held here. Bring all of the comforts and modern conveniences of home with you on your New Mexico stargazing trip with a Cruise America RV rental. I highly recommend it! Its pitch-dark skies allow stargazers to see the stars like they never have before. Since most folks rent a car after arriving in Albuquerque, this issue is usually not a problem. Where are all the best dark skies in New Mexico? We saw galaxies, nebulae, and planets. Stargazing New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology has a student-run observatory with very high-quality.. 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