Yesterday, I blogged about an e-mail I received from developer Gene Turner, who runs the Rancho Hidalgo Astronomy and Equestrian Village near Animas, New Mexico. He had hosted an astronomy group, and they had a great time. We thought it would be a nice follow-up if we posted an e-mail from Art Humphrey, the organizer of the group, which we received today. Here it is, in full:
“After reading about the Astronomy magazine’s telescope at Rancho Hidalgo our Sun City Vistoso Astronomy Club decided to make a star night excursion to Rancho Hidalgo. 17 members of the Club stayed in Gene Turner’s various accommodations (very comfortable) and had a spectacular night of viewing the skies thru the Rancho Hidalgo’s 30-inch Dobsonian scope on March 15th.
“The skies were particularly clear and dark. We had a wonderful view of the zodiacal light and the Milky Way. We managed to view more than 20 deep sky objects including, the Flame and Horsehead nebulas, the Andromeda (M31) and Pinwheel (M33) galaxies, various start clusters, etc. It was truly spectacular. None of us had every had such a dark sky viewing experience.
“After a great breakfast we went out to the Hydrogen-alpha scope mounted on the Astronomy magazine scope and looked at several flares on the sun. We also looked at the 10 small remote-controlled telescope/observatories that the Ranch is developing for groups of school children.
“I think the Rancho Hidalgo facilities plus the Arizona Star village are deserving of an update story in Astronomy magazine about what is happening there. Since the Ranch is only 29 miles off Interstate 10, it is easily visited by travelers going East or West on I-10. Plus you can take a quick side trip up Cave Canyon out of Portal, AZ, for some spectacular scenery in the Chiricahua Mountains.”
Art Humphrey
Sun City Vistoso Astronomy Club
Oro Valley (Tucson), AZ
Thanks, Art. I think that pretty much says it all.