When night falls over the empty desert, retiree Jim Algots climbs the
wooden steps to his observatory, dims the lights and rolls back the
roof to reveal an ink-black sky.

Until dawn, he can train his telescope on a rich field of stars,
knowing that despite living in one of the most remote spots in the US
he is very far from being alone.

The former laboratory technician is among scores of passionate
astronomers who have beaten a path to Arizona Sky Village, a purpose-
built community for star-gazers in southern Arizona more than two
hours drive southeast of Tucson.

Laid out on 450 acres (180 hectares) beside the Chiricahua Mountains,
the community has attracted residents from Britain, South Korea and
Russia as well as the farthest corners of the US in the past five
years.

More at http://space.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12352