New Mexico Astronomy

Astronomers near Albuquerque New Mexico have some wonderful skies and observing sites.  Some of these great opportunities are as follows:

• New Mexico skies. 
  
• New Mexico has less light pollution than many areas of North America or Europe.  Chaco canyon observatory is one of the darkest areas anywhere.
• New Mexico has good observing sites located at 5000 to 9000 feet elevation.
• The air here is DRY.  Transparency is often superb and  seeing are usually good.
• We have cloudless days and nights, with the exception of the monsoon season each July and August and when winter storms blow in.
  
• TAAS (The Albuquerque Astronomical Society), my local Astronomy club, is one of the best clubs in the nation.  Link to TAAS.  Just a few of it's advantages are:
• Great monthly meetings.  Last night we had a speaker from NASA who spoke on just a few of the discoveries made by the Hubble Space Telescope.
• Active ATM group.  This group has been going since the mid 90's.
• Good outreach group.  About once a month during the school year, TAAS will  be out giving star parties to the kids at some school or another.
  
• GNTO observatory.  This is a world class observatory.  Go to the TAAS web site, and click on the link to GNTO.  Join the club, and come see it!
• The best telescope loaner program anywhere.  I counted 13 reflectors, with two being 13" light buckets.
• We are a reasonable drive from the following:
• Chaco Canyon.  This National Historical Park, with exquisite dark skies, hosts a 25" telescope.  Chaco Night Sky Program
  
• The VLA (Very Large Array), also known as the NRAO (National Radio Astronomy Observatory).  This is one of the 3 most important telescopes of all time.  (Want to guess the other two?)  National Radio Astronomy Observatory Home
  
• The Magdalena Ridge Observatory.  This is a 10 telescope interferometer is currently under construction.  Magdalena Ridge Observatory Home
  
• University of New Mexico and New Mexico Tech Astronomy and Astrophysics groups.
• Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff Arizona. 

New Mexico Observing Sites

• GNTO (See TAAS above)
• Light pollution score: DARK GREEN.  Light pollution is almost all to the south-east.
  
• Seeing: Generally good, occasionally very good.  This site was chosen for good seeing.
  
• Transparency: Generally good.
• Altitude: about 4500 feet.
  
• Access: Dirt road.  2 wheel drive OK unless it rains.  Contact TAAS for details.
• Amenities: pit toilet, warming room, 16" observatory, 16" loaner scope.  110v power. 
  
• Time from Albuquerque: 1 hour.
• Directions: South southwest of Belen.  Ask for directions.  Contact information is on the TAAS website.
• Misc: 
• Why observe here: Relatively good skies about an hour from Albuquerque.  Warming shack.  Some of the friendliest astronomers on this planet.
• More info:  TAAS Website
• Clear sky clock for GNTO
  

• White Ridge Bike Trails parking lot
• Light pollution score: DARK GREEN.  Light pollution is almost all to the south-east.
  
• Seeing: Unknown. 
• Transparency: Generally good.
• Altitude: about 5600 feet.
  
• Access: Dirt road.  2 wheel drive OK unless it rains. There are chuck holes in the road that are hard to see (filled with dust) - drive fairly slowly.
• Amenities: None.
  
• Time from Albuquerque: 1 hour.
• Time from Bernalillo: 0.5 hours.
• Directions: Traveling northwest toward Cuba on US 550 from Bernalillo, drive approximately 20 miles. About two miles before San Ysidro, turn left onto Cabezon Road (County Road 906). Follow the left fork. Travel 4.4 miles to the gravel parking lot on the right.
• Misc: Parking lot is a good gravel, slightly sloped fenced in area. Fences tend to keep the cattle out (but are no guarantee). Space for maybe 6 to 8 observers. This parking lot has a minor ridge to the east that helps hide the light dome of Albuquerque. Skies are best to the west. Beautiful views of Cabazon Peak are to the south west. Although not frequent, there is nighttime traffic on this road. 
• Why observe here: Reasonably dark, and fairly close to astronomers in the north valley, Rio Rancho and Bernalillo.
• More info:  Whte Mesa Bike Trails Website
• Clear sky clock for Wihte Ridge parking lot
  

• Datil Well
• Light pollution score: DARK BLACK.  No light domes at all.  Possible subtle slight brightening on the north east horizon from Albuquerque.
  
• Seeing: My experience has been good, and fair.
• Transparency - Unbelievably fabulous.  I saw the horsehead with direct vision, narrow band filter, on DS-3 (a 12" dob).  Stars were casting shadows.  Mars was the brightest light within sight, and was TOO bright.  The Milky Way was overwhelming, with great detail in the dust clouds.  Cassiopeia was hard to find among all of the bright stars.
  
• Altitude: about 7500 feet.  May snow in winter, but spring and fall are probably fine.
  
• Access: Paved road.  This site is about 20 minutes west of the VLA.
• Amenities: pit toilet, 10 or so campgrounds, 4 or so miles of hikes, juniper/pinion forest.  Near the town of Datil (in only one building - restaurant/bar/gas/hardware store/ grocery/restroom).
  
• Time from Albuquerque: 2.5 hours.
• Directions: Drive south to Socorro.  Take the south Socorro exit, drive west about 1hour 15 minutes.
• Misc: Try to bring a few red light bulbs to use outside the toilets.  Best observing sites are a hunderd feet off the road in the meadows.
• Why observe here: Some of the best skies in North America.
• More info: Datil Well, BLM
• Clear sky clock for Datil Well
  

• Valley of Fires
• Light pollution score: GRAY.  Very minor light dome from Carrizozo.  Possible subtle slight brightening on the north west horizon from Albuquerque or Socorro.
  
• Seeing: My experience has always been good.
• Transparency - Good to excellent.  Stars shine right down to the horizon.  Sometimes some dust in the air.
• Altitude: about 5400 feet.  Generally the same temperatures, clouds, rainfall and wind as the Rio Grande valley.
  
• Access: Paved road.  This site is about 5 minutes west of Carrizozo.
• Amenities: pit toilets, 19 campgrounds, numerous hikes, and a wonderful visitors center.  Near the town of Carrizozo.  Restaurant, motels, gas, grocery available.
• Time from Albuquerque: 2.5 hours.
• Directions: Drive south 10 miles past Socorro, to San Antonio.  Drive east about 1hour 15 minutes, to Valley of Fires.  Carrizozo is another 5 minute drive.  
• Misc: The best observing site is at the end of the paved road, in the group campsite.  It is down in a minor bowl, thus blocking light from Carrizozo.  The local ranger will very likely invite all the campers to an impromptu star party with you.  He will also bend over backwards thanking you and treating you like a rock star.
• Why observe here: Dark skies and warm temperatures.  Closeness of amenities.
• More info: Valley of Fires Recreation Area
• Clear sky clock for The Lazy J (closest point to Valley of Fires): 
  

• Priest Canyon
• Light pollution score: BLUE.  Light dome of Albuquerque visible to the Northwest, but mostly blocked by the Monzonos.
• Seeing: My experience has always been good.
• Transparency - Good to excellent.    
• Altitude: about 6300 feet.  About 10-15 degrees cooler than the Rio Grande valley.
• Access: Dirt road.  Some parking spots require 4X4.  
• Amenities: None.
• Time from Albuquerque:  1.5 hours (or less).
• Directions: Drive south to the second Belen exit.  Turn east.  At main street, turn north.  Drive a few blocks to Renken Rd.  Turn east.  Cross the bridge, turn south-southeast on Rd 47, which will turn into 60.  Drive towards Mountainaire.  At Rd 422, turn north.  About 5 miles up this road, at the bottom of a steep downhill section, is a very poor quality dirt road on the right.  There is a good observing spot a few hundred feet down this dirt road.
• Misc: Be very careful driving this road with a 2 wheel drive car.  Wide enough observing area for 4 or 5 scopes.  Soft dirt.
• Why observe here: Relatively excellent skies, distance from Albuquerque.
• More info: None.
• Clear sky clock for Altair Observatory (closest point to Priest Canyon): 
  

• Oak Flat
• Light pollution score: YELLOW.  Significant light dome of Albuquerque.  Skies are still good due to the terrain to the west and the elevation.  Skies are especially good to the east.  Milky way easily visible.
• Seeing: My experience has always been good.
• Transparency - Good to excellent.
• Altitude: about 7000 feet.  About 15 degrees cooler than the Rio Grande valley.
• Access: Paved road.  See gate comments below.
• Amenities: Pit toilets.
• Time from Albuquerque:  .5 hours.
• Directions: Drive east on I-40 to Tehris.  Turn South, drive to the sign that says Oak Flat.
• Misc: Durring TAAS events, the gates will be open.  Otherwise, gates can be closed.  I have observed by setting up the telescope at the closed gate.  Was kind of spooky, go in a group.
• Why observe here: Close to Albuquerque, good skies, close to east Albuquerque.
• More info: Contact one of the TAAS officers for more information on Oak Flat Picnic Area.
• Clear sky clock for Oak Flat
  

Star Parties that are close to New Mexico

• Okie-Tex
• Overall: Best star party that I have ever been to.  Fabulous fall skies, laid back atmosphere, friendly observers.
• Light, seeing and transparency: Black, fair-good and excellent.
• When held: Mid September to mid October.  Lasts from Saturday to Sunday, a week later.
• Location: Camp Billy-Joe, Kenton Oklahoma.  Border of Oklahoma and New Mexico.
• Altitude: about 4400 feet.
  
• Amenities on site: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight hamburgers served on site.  Tent and trailer camping.  On site bunkhouse.  Portapotties.  Many garbage cans.  Showers (somewhat rustic).  Numerous vendors.  Afternoon talks from mid week until the end.  110 volt power throughout the fields.  
• Amenities off site: Closest town (gas, grocery): Boise City, 45 minutes east.  Closest lodging: local B&B's.  I have stayed at the Black Mesa B&B (5 minutes away) - it was fabulous.  Mercentile in Kenton has closed.
• Misc: there is a low ridge to the south, east and west.  For better southern horizons, go to the north end of the field.  For better wind protection, go to the south end of the field.
• Time from Albuquerque: 6 hours.
• Best attribute: An observers star party.  Cosmic Cafe (midnight hamburgers).  Runs for over a week - Saturday until Sunday.
• Weirdest quirks: Most of Oklahoma is Central time, but Kenton Oklahoma is Mountain time.  However, for the week of Okie-Tex, camp Billy-Joe goes on Central time.  Everything in the surrounding community is Mountain time.  Confused?   I am also.
• More info:  Okie-Tex Star Party Website
• Clear sky clock for Okie-Tex
  

• Texas Star Party
• Overall: Very large star party with spring skies.  Weather and temperatures depend on when the star party is held.  Very regulated.
• Light, seeing and transparency: Black, good and fair-good.
• When held: Mid April to early June.  This changes the quality of the star party.  American monsoon starts early to mid May.  Nights are short in May.  Finally, days late May are HOT.  In my humble opinion - quality of star party mid April - excellent.  Quality of star party late May - poor.
• Location: Prude ranch, Ft. Davis, Texas.  North of Big Bend national park (by a few hours).
• Altitude: about 4400 feet.
• Amenities on site: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (which is excellent).  Small fast food stand at night. Tent and trailer camping.  On site bunkhouses.  Numerous vendors.  Afternoon talks from mid week until the end.  110 volt power throughout the fields.
• Amenities off site: Closest town (gas, grocery, motels): Ft. Davis, 5 minutes east.  
• Misc: Upper field has the best southern horizons, but no trailers or tent camping. Middle field is nice for camping and viewing, gets crowded.  Stay away from bathrooms - sewer overflows.  Lower field has lots of trailers.
• Time from Albuquerque: 10 hours.
• Best attribute: Food, food, food!  Great lectures, wonderful skies (when it isn't cloudy or raining), friendly observers. Omega Cenauri.
• Weirdest quirks: Toilets are terrible - they all need to be reset and plumbing/septic need to be replaced.  Guards at the enterence.  Light police wander around telling people to darken up.  Sometimes scheduled during monsoon.  Attendance by lottery (although I understand now days that everyone is accepted). 
• More info:  Texas Star Party Website
• Clear sky clock for TSP (Prude Ranch)

• Enchanted Skies Star Party
• Overall:  I have not been to this star party in years.  I intend to go this year (2019)  Sometimes conflicts with Okie-Tex.  Now running Tuesday through Sunday. 
• Light, seeing and transparency: Gray, and reported as very good, and very good.
• When held: Generally October.  Check website for details.
• Location: A few miles north west of Magdalena, New Mexico.  See website for details.
• Altitude: 6800 ft.
• Amenities on site: Camping, with food service provided by Kiwanis; site prep by Magdalena Astronomy Society..
• Amenities off site: Magdalena, New Mexico, is 10 minutes away; Socorro is 40 minutes away.
• Misc: Lecture programs at the Kids' Science Cafe and at the Astronomical Lyceum in Magdalena.
• Time from Albuquerque: 1.5 hours.
• Best attribute:  Dark skies with easy access.  Good speakers.  Side trips to the VLA and Magdalina Ridge Observatory .
• Weirdest quirks:  This star party has moved and changed focus over the years.  Current location looks promising.  No clear sky clock.
• More info:  Enchanted Skies star party
• Clear sky clock for FOAH Observatory (very near Enchanted Skies)

• Grand Canyon star party
• Overall:  I have not been to this star party. From what I understand, the south side star party is mostly a public outreach event.  Held in the parking lot of the visitors center.  Car lights are a problem.  North star party is hard to get to, but more of an observers party.
• Light, seeing and transparency: Unknown.
• When held: Mid summer.
• Location: Northern Arizona.  On the same weekend, a star party is held on the south rim and one is held on the north rim.
• Altitude: Unknown (high).
• Amenities on site: Unknown.
• Amenities off site: Unknown.
• Misc: Unknown
• Time from Albuquerque: Unknown.
• Best attribute:  Unknown.
• Weirdest quirks: South party is held by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and the north pary is held by the Saguaro Astronomy Club (SAC).  (I formerly belonged to SAC - a wonderful group of astronomers.)
• More info - National Park:  Grand Canyon Star Party Website
• More info - Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association:  Grand Canyon Star Party Website
• Clear sky clock for Grand Canyon - south

• Rocky Mountain Star Stare
• Overall:  I have not been to this star party.
• Light, seeing and transparency: Unknown
• When held: June'ish
• Location: South of Colorado Springs, Colorado, up in the rocky mountains.
• Altitude: Unknown.
• Amenities on site: Unknown.
• Amenities off site: Unknown.
• Misc: Unknown
• Time from Albuquerque: Unknown.
• Best attribute:  Unknown.
• Weirdest quirks:  Unknown
• More info:  Rocky Mountain Star Stare Website
• Clear sky clock for RMSS