The western United States offer pristine, dark skies perfect for astronomy. Photo by Tony Hallas.
On October 13–14, 2017, Dark Sky New Mexico will put on a great star party and host talks and a get-together to showcase their phenomenal viewing site. The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) will be present with telescopes, and we’ll view an incredibly array of galaxies, clusters, and nebulae, as well as soaking in a mind-blowing view of the naked eye Milky Way overhead.
Moreover, Dark Sky New Mexico will describe how they are offering sites for astroimagers under a truly dark sky. As most astronomy enthusiasts know, dark skies are at a premium. In the eastern United States, forget it. Approximately 80 percent of Americans and Europeans live in areas where they cannot see the Milky Way.
The star party, which will be held near Animas, New Mexico, will take place under some of the darkest skies in the continental United States, perfect for deep-sky viewing and also for astroimaging. Moreover, Astronomy Magazine Senior Editor Michael Bakich and I will be on hand to deliver several talks and to observe and collaborate with you. I’ll be speaking on the science of galaxies, while Michael will be describing the sights visible in the sky during the two nights of observing.
For more information, and to register, see:
https://darkskynewmexico.com/blog/2017/8/1/registration
The whole point of a dark sky is that it’s away from lights in towns and cities. But this incredible sky, one of the best Michael and I have ever seen, is located a scant few hours’ drive from Tucson, El Paso, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Phoenix.
Check out the page and sign up now for great dark-sky fun!!
The star party agenda follows:
America's Darkest Sky Star Party
Animas, New Mexico, October 13-14, 2017
Join Astronomy magazine editors, authors, and well-known deep-sky observers Dave Eicher and Michael Bakich for a 2-day star party and seminar in Animas, New Mexico hosted by Dark Sky New Mexico (DSNM) and The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS). This event will include dark sky observing under the best sky in the United States, viewing deep-sky treasures through a variety of telescopes, and a daylong seminar of exclusive talks from Eicher and Bakich.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017 - 6:30 pm to midnight
(Moon sets-3:08 pm|Sunset–6:46 pm|Astronomical Twilight-8:06 pm|Moon rises-1:08 am)
Dark Sky New Mexico - Washburn Road, Animas NM - Click for map coordinates
6:30 – 7:00 pm Arrival/Check-in
7:00 – 7:30 pm Welcome
7:30 - 8:30 pm On-site Observatories tour
8:30 – 9:00 pm Star & Constellation Tour (Michael Bakich)
9:00 – midnight Dark Sky Observing (TAAS members)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017 - 10:00 am - midnight
(Moon sets-3:54 pm|Sunset–6:44 pm|Astronomical Twilight-8:05 pm|Moon rises-2:10 am)
Chiricahua Desert Museum - NM-80 & Portal Road, Rodeo, NM - Click for Map Coordinates
10:00 – 11:00 am Optional Tour – Chiricahua Desert Museum
Animas Community Center - 21 Maverick Road, Animas, N - Click for map coordinates
11:30 - 12:30 pm Lunch
12:30 - 2:00 pm Illustrated Talks, part 1
2:00 - 2:30 pm Break/Solar Observing (Led by TAAS Members)
2:30 - 4:00 pm Illustrated Talks, part 2
Dark Sky New Mexico - Washburn Road, Animas NM - Click for map coordinates
7:00 - 8:00 pm Supper and Door Prizes
8:00 - 8:30 pm Michael Bakich/Lecture – The Twilight Sky
8:30 – Midnight Dark Sky Observing (Led by TAAS Members)
Hotel accommodations are available in nearby Lordsburg, New Mexico.