New Mexico Observing Location

I used to frequent this newsgroup a lot, then I got caught up in other
activies and haven't had my scope out in a couple of years.

Now I'm about to take my first ever trip to New Mexico, and as luck would
have it, will be arriving on March 20th under the new moon (I guess this
guarantees it will be cloudy).

I will be in Albuquerque and then Santa Fe for a few days. My meetings
begin on the 21st, so I have a chance to drive out of the city on the 20th,
and again on the 25th. I was wondering if anyone had a recommended
observing location. I suspect I'll only be able to pack some binoculars -
maybe I'll wedge my 10x70's into the suitcase.

I noticed that The Albuquerque Astronomical Society was holding a Messier
Marathon on the 20th, some miles south of Albuquerque. I wrote to the email
address shown on their web page but did not receive a response. That event
sounded pretty interesting.

If I can't crash that fine party, then should I just try to drive up out of
the city to find some dark skies? I'm a little wary of doing that by myself
in a place I've never been before.

Alan

Alan,
For the Santa Fe area, you might want to drive out during the day to
either the Pecos National Historic site which is about 20 miles east
or to Bandelier National Historic Monutment which is about 40 miles
west. Besides seeing these impressive sites, the US National Park
Service folks could give you some ideas on safe places to view after
dark....perhaps in one of their parking lots. If you go to the Pecos
site, you will pass the location of the only Civil War battle fought
in NM. :-)
Good luck.

Alan Dana wrote in message ...

If I can't crash that fine party, then should I just try to drive up out of
the city to find some dark skies? I'm a little wary of doing that by myself
in a place I've never been before.

Alan

Alan Dana wrote in message ...

Now I'm about to take my first ever trip to New Mexico, and as luck would
have it, will be arriving on March 20th under the new moon (I guess this
guarantees it will be cloudy).

I will be in Albuquerque and then Santa Fe for a few days. My meetings
begin on the 21st, so I have a chance to drive out of the city on the 20th,
and again on the 25th. I was wondering if anyone had a recommended
observing location

If you can spare a whole day/night, you can go up to New Mexico Skies
and rent a telescope as big as 30" if you like. Mike and Lynn are top
notch telescope operators with an excellent location 20 minutes east of
CloudCroft.

On 3/13/04 11:46 AM, in article
, "Jim"
wrote:

Alan,
For the Santa Fe area, you might want to drive out during the day to
either the Pecos National Historic site which is about 20 miles east
or to Bandelier National Historic Monutment which is about 40 miles
west. Besides seeing these impressive sites, the US National Park
Service folks could give you some ideas on safe places to view after
dark....perhaps in one of their parking lots.

I'll keep this in mind. Certainly a possibility.

On 3/15/04 2:14 PM, in article
, "Mitch Alsup"
wrote:


If you can spare a whole day/night, you can go up to New Mexico Skies
and rent a telescope as big as 30" if you like. Mike and Lynn are top
notch telescope operators with an excellent location 20 minutes east of
CloudCroft.

I had checked them out. A little pricey when getting both a scope and a
room. Two night minimum on the room at around $150 a night, including tax.
Then another $100 a night for the 30 incher.

Sounded real nice. If I weren't going alone I would give it more
consideration.