As you can see, New Mexico is home to exquisite night skies all around. I went in to adjust the text so its clear that Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is not open to the public except for special events. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Another top spot to go stargazing in New Mexico, Clayton Lake State Park, is New Mexicos first International Dark Sky Park, earning the title back in 2010. Puebloans built the Aztec West great house in alignment with the solstices. The Quandrantids is a fascinating, above-average meteor shower that doesn't usually get the love it deserves. It offers stunning views of New Mexico dark skies. The nearest significant source of artificial light is more than 30 miles away in Arizona. Its perfect if youre a beginner since they provide you with giant telescopes to see planets, galaxies, nebulae, and other amazing sights. The Domes (High Rolls, NM, United States) Re-energize on the wraparound deck of this remote dome situated in New Mexico. My party of four friends had an AMAZING time with Peter. Dramatic ancient lava flows, towering cinder cones, and underground lava tubes are the first things that come to mind when thinking of the El Malpais National Monument. In December 2019, the International Dark-Sky Association named El Morro a certified International Dark Sky Park (IDSP). In order to test . After making a short trip to New Mexico in 2021 to view the first Virgin Galactic launch with Sir Richard Branson aboard, I was hooked on exploring more of this southwestern state. JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock. Turn right a few miles before Abiqui at the sign for El Rito and Northern New Mexico Community College. The . Capulin Volcano National Monument sits in one of the darker parts of the U.S. Rates begin at $400 per night plus applicable tax. If you want "real stargazing" on the East coast drive south from your home to the Outer Banks of NC ~ 5 hr drive. New Mexico's first State Park is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest, along Little Tesuque Creek. While professionals and amateur enthusiasts know that the Land of Enchantment is great by day and has astounding dark skies, most folks who just want to see the stars are more likely to end up looking at sites in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. The Astronomy Club at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology has a student-run observatory with very high-quality equipment. Seeing how the Milky Way rises into the night sky above ancestral Pueblo ruins is an unforgettable experience. Besides preserving the monument, the site has excelled at preserving the quality of its dark skies. Keep reading to find out the best dark sky destinations in New Mexico and start planning your road trip! This observatory is open to the public every Friday night. 740 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87501, emnrd.state.nm.us. Call directly to get information on upcoming astronomy events. And especially for the quality of darkness overhead once the hot sun sets. We booked this as something special to do together, and we most certainly enjoyed our evening. It has been a great run. Dark Skies New Mexico is an astronomers dream. Highly recommend! . These places round out the list to show you why New Mexico is such a great stargazing destination. In a lot of these beautiful places in New Mexico, youll find some excellent world-class stargazing skies thanks to just how dark and remote some parts of the state are. Bandelier National Monument has amazing night sky programs throughout the year. If a suitable opening occurs, I will get in touch. Your email address will not be published. 5. TIP: You can get a discount if you volunteer to help with the events. In New Mexico is known for chile and most residents have an affinity for piquant peppers. Located north of Watrous in Mora County, Fort Union National Monument is another excellent spot for stargazing. Those who want to stay late without camping must request a permit to stay late and watch the night sky. Astronomy Adventures does. The Salinas basin formed ancient salt beds from which the monument derives its name and drew early inhabitants. There are also rentals available in the area for amateur astronomers looking to enjoy a getaway that involves a celestial light show every night. This fellow also taught astronomy at the University of New Mexico Taos branch, though the repetition in theme makes me wonder if park rangers have spent more time looking at the heavens than most. At night, though, this park becomes a haven for New Mexico stargazers. Improve this listing Full view Can You See the Milky Way in Albuquerque? New Mexicos skies are exquisite. Solar System; . The sky provides a theatrical performance using the sun, the clouds and the moon as players. Placitas is a small town thats only thirty minutes away from Albuquerque. Read on to learn about the best stargazing spots in Albuquerque and the surrounding regions of New Mexico. On a clear night, visitors can see thousands of stars blanketing the New Mexico sky. The Fort Union National Monument is one of our newer designated Dark Sky zones, having been officialized in 2019. The refuge staff has installed warm white and yellow lights to reduce the unnatural blue light that deters nocturnal animals. If youre planning a trip to New Mexico and curious about stargazing in this fascinating but oft-overlooked state, read on. Observing. The skies are so pristine that you can even spot constellations like Ursa Major. Another park ranger by day, astronomer by night. Since most folks rent a car after arriving in Albuquerque, this issue is usually not a problem. The Magdalena Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual Enchanted Skies Star Party about 20 miles from the array. We booked this during a weekend reunion of high school and college friends and loved it! 102 South Ripley St., Mountainair, NM 87036, nps.gov. The site protects over 33,000 acres of gorgeous rugged canyon and mesa country, plus evidence of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who lived here from approximately 1150 CE to 1550 CE. Weather Near Santa Fe: Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; Rio Rancho, NM; Company. Want to go stargazing in New Mexico? Theres even the Lake Observatory for serious stargazers who want to take their viewing to the next level. They host a number of star parties during the year, including the annual Enchanted Sky Star Party. Your email address will not be published. The Refuge is famous for being home to tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks who winter here each year. Stargazing is optimal every other month of the year too. Our compact unit is a fully self-contained RV. Thank you for your message and interest in Astronomy Adventures. Join her on this journey to explore space right here on earth. Across U.S. Highway180, an orange cattle guard begins the 1.3-mile, hard-surface road to the Cosmic Campground. Our safe and secure viewing site is an easy drive from Santa Fe. Club Name City Alamogordo Astronomy Club Alamogordo Amateur Astronomers Group Alamogordo Albuquerque Astronomical Society The darker half of the world-renowned national park is located in the Low Desert, making it a prime locale for spotting constellations and shooting stars. Great climate, high elevations, and relatively sparse population mean that when you strike out from one of the cities in New Mexico, its not hard to find pristine dark skies. Book a rental today or contact us for more information. A traditional motorhome with the self-contained features you expect. As you can see, you wont have trouble finding plenty of areas offering pristine night skies. Kinda important to know. We saw galaxies, nebulae, and planets. Be certain to wear warm clothes as it does get cold in the evenings in Santa Fe, year round. Besides stargazing opportunities, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument offers a ton of recreational activities. 9521 Rio Grande Blvd. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Please contact the club for up-to-date information on their viewing schedules, telescope . Experience the magnificent New Mexican night sky with a stargazing tour with Astronomy Adventures. Live a little further from those places? Use this form to join the Santa Fe Stargazers Announcement List.The only thing you'll ever see on this list are announcements of Santa Fe Stargazer public events. It also features a wide variety of wildlife, including 358 species of birds. When it comes to major cities, Albuquerque is one of the best places for a stargazer to live. Peter was super knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic! My husband and I road tripped to Santa Fe for just one day. I am immensely grateful and honored to have worked with the thousands of people who have joined me. Located north of Santa Fe, Hyde Memorial State Park is New Mexicos first state park and offers visitors clear views of the New Mexico night sky. Thanks Peter for this fun expirience. Details are included on the Meetings page and in all meeting announcement emails. place full of wonder, intrigue, fascinating history, and, of course, ridiculously beautiful places. Peter blends science, history, anthropology and sociology into a blockbuster session that is punctuated by jaw dropping views. Visit their website:Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Youll find a plethora of wildlife roaming around, including 358 species of birds. Share this to help others enjoy the night sky! As is the case with most cities, your options for stargazing within Albuquerque are admittedly limited. That was before we even looked through the telescope, which revealed Uranus, star clusters, nebulae and more. The University of New Mexicos Physics and Astronomy Department features a Campus Observatory with a 14-inch telescope. Clayton Lake State Park & Dinosaur Trackways, 17. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. The museum also has a planetarium where you can learn more about our universe. Additional snacks and drinks can be purchased. Stargazing in New Mexico is extraordinary. Music Festivals in the Northeast You Need to Attend in 2023, Music Festivals in the Pacific Northwest You Need to Attend in 2023, Music Festivals in the Southwest You Need to Attend in 2023, Planning a Trip to the Grand Canyon: How to Make it Unique. As darkness falls, planets and stars emerge. Not to worry there are plenty more dark New Mexico skies to go around. However, the Campus Observatory offers visitors stunning views of the New Mexico night sky. The community has implemented covenants in the homeowner association bylaws restricting light to protect the dark sky phenomena that makes their location special. It sits within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie and preserves the second of three forts the U.S. Army constructed in 1851. The 15 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Philadelphia, The 15 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Anchorage. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 20. Despite being located just north of Santa Fe, its still an excellent place for stargazing. Thanks for putting this together. The state question is "red or green." If you are expecting the lush green camping often associated with Gila camping, don't. During the summer months the observatory is open to the public Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The soaring mountains allow exceptional views of Venus and Mercury, along with many constellations popularized in native art and lore (like Orion, Gemini, and Taurus). Some observatories are complexes that host multiple telescopes at the same site. The regular booking calendar has been discontinued as I transition Astronomy Adventures to its new form. You get a clear view of the sky, and you dont have to worry about light pollution. Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, 18. Take a rental RV on a road trip through New Mexico to catch some night sky treasures while stargazing. Pick up a Cruise America RV rental from our convenient Albuquerque location and get started on your road trip! Hyde Memorial State Park was New Mexicos first state park and is a popular spot for hiking and camping. I hope you find resources here to help you do just that. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. The dark skies at Salinas allow for stunning night photographs. It can be found in the Jemez Mountains and is comprised of 89,000 incredible acres of the most beautiful wilderness in New Mexico. Situated between the Gila Wilderness and the Blue Range Primitive Area. Its remoteness also makes it one of the best spots in New Mexico for watching the stars. The Albuquerque Astronomical Society frequently comes here for its high altitudes and desert environment. The mission ruins at Salina Pueblo Mission National Monument became a certified Dark Sky Park in 2016. As such, Fort Union hosts interpretative dark-sky programs featuring both naked-eye astronomy and observations through telescopes throughout the year. Pictured above, the VLA is one of the worlds premier astronomical radio observatories. For the best stargazing experience, you want to wait until theres a New Moon in the sky. 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