I just received an e-mail from developer Gene Turner, who runs the Rancho Hidalgo Astronomy and Equestrian Village near Animas, New Mexico.
This site is one of the clearest, darkest, and steadiest in North America. Apparently, Gene has been talking up the site and the Astronomy Magazine Observatory, and the word is getting out. Here’s Gene’s e-mail in full:
Hi Michael,
We just had a large adult education group from the SCV Astronomy Club out of the Tucson area in for a fabulous night on the 30-inch Starmaster. Then they spent a great morning with the Hydrogen-alpha Solar Scope in the Astronomy Magazine Observatory. We had great views of sunspot areas, prominences, and the chromosphere.
This is the first official group for New Horizons West, the educational arm of our venture here. The SCV Astronomy Club contacted us as a result of the ads for New Horizons West in Astronomy. Please thank everyone involved. You all are the best in the business. I look forward to years of productive educational programming, helped by our affiliation with your magazine.
Thanks again guys, you are all-stars!
Gene Turner
Gene also sent a picture of the group attached to the e-mail. Because I know how great the site is and how great Gene is at promoting it, I can assure everyone there will be many more such groups taking advantage of Astronomy’s observatory.