Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Observing >> General Observing Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Alleline professor emeritus Reged: 02/07/06 Posts: 583 Loc: Farmington, New Mexico Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)?       #2680995 - 10/05/08 07:13 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I am relocating next month to Farmington, New Mexico. It is in the northwest corner of the state. Does anyone know of public observing locations/events in that area? Are there astronomy clubs? All information welcome. I will no longer have a backyard observing site. I have a cumbersome old DS-16 that will fit in my minivan, but if I'm going to try to use it as a mobile unit, I will need pavement. Please don't limit info to paved lots, though, as I am likely to re-build this as a dob. -------------------- Tom Meade DS-16 (F4.5), C-8, Synta 120mm F8.3 refractor. Post Extras:       SaberScorpX Post Laureate Reged: 01/12/05 Posts: 4121 Loc: illinois, usa Re: Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)? [Re: Alleline]       #2682714 - 10/06/08 02:15 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Tom- Here's a few links to check out until one of our Four Corners natives chimes in: http://www.astroleague.org/al/general/society.html#New%20Mexico http://www.astronomyclubs.com/1/190/33/0/club.aspx http://www.cleardarksky.com/csk/prov/New_Mexico_charts.html Saber Does The Stars at http://www.astronomyblogs.com/member/saberscorpx/ Post Extras:       Alleline professor emeritus Reged: 02/07/06 Posts: 583 Loc: Farmington, New Mexico Re: Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)? [Re: Alleline]       #2696502 - 10/13/08 01:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Bump. Post Extras:       Tek465 member Reged: 06/18/07 Posts: 92 Loc: Show Low, Az Re: Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)? [Re: Alleline]       #2697694 - 10/13/08 10:41 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It's a long shot and a bit out of the way, but the Amatuer radio guys are having a hamfest in Soccoro on Oct 24-25. http://www.socorroara.org/fest08.pdf One of the activities is touring the VLA and Electronics labs. You might be able to ask around there. I've found quite a few Hams are also interested in Astronomy. -------------------- Z10 Dob w/ Telrad Celestron 15x70 binoc Meade ETX-60AT Post Extras:       Alleline professor emeritus Reged: 02/07/06 Posts: 583 Loc: Farmington, New Mexico Re: Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)? [Re: Tek465]       #2698298 - 10/14/08 10:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks to both of you for your replies. I will follow up when I get to NM and determine where the stargazers gather. -------------------- Tom Meade DS-16 (F4.5), C-8, Synta 120mm F8.3 refractor. Post Extras:       knuklhdastnmr Pepperbelly Reged: 02/24/05 Posts: 3579 Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado Re: Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)? [Re: Alleline]       #2699843 - 10/15/08 12:52 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I highly recommend that you check this place out. Chaco Culture National Historic Park And not just for a dark sky site. These people were doing complex astronomical observation in the 10th Century. A good book on the ancient culture is Craig Child's House of Rain, Little Brown, 2007. With assistance from the Albuqueque Society, the Visitor Center maintains an very good Observatory with a nice suite of telescopes. You might PM Snorkler. He served as a volunteer astronomer at the Park earlier this year. There's a thread in the OTO describing his adventure with a good number of photos. After you have had a chance to enjoy living in New Mexico for awhile let's talk some more. Be prepared, the Land of Enchantment refers to more than just the delightful vistas and people. There is deep magic in that land, there is enchantment in the sense that the land casts a spell over you. Everybody I have ever known, myself included, who has ever lived in New Mexico is trying to find a way to get back there. There are a lot of other dark sky sites very near Farmington. There's a smaller and lesser known Aztec Ruins National Monument, Salmon Ruins, Shiprock. It shouldn't be hard at all to find nearby clear, dark sky. -------------------- Knucklhead Astronomer Edited by knuklhdastnmr (10/15/08 12:55 AM) Post Extras:       Alleline professor emeritus Reged: 02/07/06 Posts: 583 Loc: Farmington, New Mexico Re: Sites/clubs in the Four Corners (Farmington, NM)? [Re: knuklhdastnmr]       #2700011 - 10/15/08 06:47 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the tips. I actually picked up a copy of House of Rain at the Aztec Ruins site when I was interviewing,and started it last night - very interesting. And I'll hunt down that thread in the OTO that you mentioned. Much appreciated. -------------------- Tom Meade DS-16 (F4.5), C-8, Synta 120mm F8.3 refractor. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 1 registered and 0 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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