The Celestron and Astronomy Magazine observatories stand side by side at Rancho Hidalgo, near Animas, New Mexico, with Clyde Tombaugh’s 16-inch telescope in the background. David J. Eicher photo
Well, you win some and you lose some. After a spectacular first night of observing on Friday, October 1, an extremely late monsoonal flow wiped out the
Astronomy magazine group’s observing at Granite Gap and Rancho Hidalgo, New Mexico. On Saturday the skies were cloudy, but on Sunday it rained — almost unheard of in October. We had to table many exotic deep-sky objects on the list for our final two nights of viewing until the next trip.
But my companions, Assistant Editor Bill Andrews, Copy Editor Karri Ferron, Gene Turner, Loy Guzman, and a group of others who came to see what Granite Gap was all about, made the best of the situation. We explored Granite Gap, the property Turner is developing into a low-cost, dark-sky site for amateur astronomers — the first of its kind. The incredible job of preparing the property for residency and a “24/7 star party” is moving along nicely, with roads and electricity in, and the huge man-made lake on the property filled with beautiful blue-green water. The first two park model cabins are on-site, and they are gorgeous, like small lavishly furnished efficiency apartments, perfect for sleeping off a long night’s observing. Soon, construction of a community center will begin, and this winter will witness amateur astronomers on-site getting their first taste of what is probably the best, darkest sky they have ever seen. Groundbreaking on the planetarium and mineral museum, each of which will stand near the entrance, will take place this winter. More than 150 people are thus far in, and interest is accelerating. For more on the project, see www.granitegap.com.
The first park model cabin units have arrived at Granite Gap, ushering in the world’s first low-cost, dark-sky “permanent star party.” The grounds at Granite Gap, a few miles north of Rancho Hidalgo, have undergone a dramatic transformation.
But when skies are cloudy, observers must take refuge in other activities. I brought a segment of my mineral collection along, so we were able to pass around, handle, and contemplate a piece of Zagami, the biggest Mars rock on Earth; Dar al Gani 400, a lunar rock slice; and a large number of terrestrial minerals, including topaz and tanzanite crystals, aquamarines, rubies, and other stones that were hardy enough to stuff into an airplane carry-on.
We also explored Shakespeare, the ghost mining town near Lordsburg that once thrived as a town of 3,000 before the railroad bypassed it and the mines slowed down. Here, many famous lawmen and outlaws spent time, including the Clantons (later of O.K. Corral fame), Billy the Kid (who washed dishes in the central hotel), Curly Bill Brocius, and more.
A visit to the Shakespeare ghost town near Lordsburg is always a pleasure. The former mining town of 3,000 now receives visitors who seek the ghosts of the past.
Other activities including horseback riding, a drive through Cave Creek Canyon and the Arizona Sky Village near Portal, and investigating Native American artifacts scattered across several sites of former habitation.
It made for an exciting weekend, and we will all look forward to good weather and dark skies the next time we arrive at Granite Gap, which feels like “home away from home.”
Related blog:
On the Road: Dark-sky observing at Granite Gap, day 1
Be sure to check out the Online Reader Gallery for more pictures of our trip.