Celestron Community Relations Coordinator Kevin Kawai (right) delivers a Celestron CGE Pro 1400HD telescope to Gene Turner for his new astronomy development, Granite Gap near Animas, New Mexico. Kevin Kawai photoWe all crave easy access to truly dark skies to whet our observing appetites. And for years, developer Gene Turner has opened up the inky-black Southwestern skies to the amateur astronomy population with locations like the Arizona Sky Village near Portal, Arizona, and Rancho Hidalgo in Animas, New Mexico. Now, with his latest project, Granite Gap, Turner is teaming up with Celestron to bring great optical equipment to the location. Kevin Kawai, Celestron’s community relations coordinator, just spent some time in New Mexico to deliver some pieces to the site. Here’s what he had to say about his visit:
Celestron and Astronomy magazine have found observatory homes at Gene Turner’s Rancho Hidalgo location near Animas, New Mexico. Pluto-discoverer Clyde Tombaugh’s personal telescope stands tall in the background. Kevin Kawai photoRecently, I traveled to southwestern New Mexico to present a CGE Pro 1400HD and several Digital Microscopes to astronomy enthusiast and land developer Gene Turner. Gene is in the process of creating the ultimate “affordable” dark-sky observing site called Granite Gap, which he says will be “the home of the yearlong star party.” Not only will this site be a haven for astronomical enthusiasts, but it will also be a great place for recreational activities such as bird watching, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rock collecting and more. In addition, a planetarium, a mineral and meteorite museum, a man-made impact crater, and a regional center for model rocket launches are all in the works, with each greatly enhancing the visitor experience and putting a strong emphasis on its educational outreach programs. A beautiful rainbow arcs over the Astronomy Magazine Observatory at Rancho Hidalgo near Animas, New Mexico. Kevin Kawai photoCelestron is very excited to support, along with Astronomy magazine, the Granite Gap project and will have several observatories on site, including one atop nearby Norrick Peak. Granite Gap will set a new standard for world-class, dark-sky observing — all in a complete low-cost package that will surely attract stargazers looking for more than just an adventure.
Celestron and Astronomy magazine have found observatory homes at Gene Turner’s Rancho Hidalgo location near Animas, New Mexico. Pluto-discoverer Clyde Tombaugh’s personal telescope stands tall in the background. Kevin Kawai photoRecently, I traveled to southwestern New Mexico to present a CGE Pro 1400HD and several Digital Microscopes to astronomy enthusiast and land developer Gene Turner. Gene is in the process of creating the ultimate “affordable” dark-sky observing site called Granite Gap, which he says will be “the home of the yearlong star party.” Not only will this site be a haven for astronomical enthusiasts, but it will also be a great place for recreational activities such as bird watching, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, rock collecting and more. In addition, a planetarium, a mineral and meteorite museum, a man-made impact crater, and a regional center for model rocket launches are all in the works, with each greatly enhancing the visitor experience and putting a strong emphasis on its educational outreach programs.
A beautiful rainbow arcs over the Astronomy Magazine Observatory at Rancho Hidalgo near Animas, New Mexico. Kevin Kawai photoCelestron is very excited to support, along with Astronomy magazine, the Granite Gap project and will have several observatories on site, including one atop nearby Norrick Peak. Granite Gap will set a new standard for world-class, dark-sky observing — all in a complete low-cost package that will surely attract stargazers looking for more than just an adventure.
Thanks, Kevin!
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Gene Turner (right) and Ben Hale set up a Celestron Digital Microscope, which will be used in conjunction with many Granite Gap educational activities. Kevin Kawai photo
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That is a very nice telescope. You have got to admire those entrepreneurs like Gene. They keep the economy going, and the rest of us, making progress.