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News & Updates
Dark Sky New Mexico Interviewed on KRQE 13
Dark Sky New Mexico, was recently featured in a KRQE News article discussing its advocacy for revisions to the 1999 Night Sky Protection Act. Highlighting the critical issue of light pollution, the group is pushing for legislation requiring shielded lighting and the...
Comet Tsuchinshan ATLAS photographed using an IPhone 15
Comet Tsuchinshan ATLAS, also called C/2023 A3, was photographed using an IPhone 15 as it passed over Rattlesnake Mountain near Dark Sky New Mexico by neighbor and astrophotographer Neil Martin. The comet has Noel exited the sun’s glare having reached its closest to...
Dark Sky New Mexico Collaborates on Star Party Event
On June 8, around 75 people gathered to celebrate the Cosmic Campground and its connection to the Gila Wilderness at a star party. The event was organized by Victoria Linehan and Michael Hensley, owner of Dark Sky New Mexico, in collaboration with the...
Meet the Astronomers – Brian D. Ottum, Ph.D.
Brian was born in Wisconsin and got a chemical engineering degree from UW. After a few years in industry, he took a personality test which caused him to pursue a Ph.D. in market research @ U of Utah. Since then, he’s been a “free agent” consultant helping big...
Senator Crystal Diamond recognizes Dark Sky New Mexico
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and I am always glad to see entrepreneurship and business encouraged in New Mexico. I am honored to recognize Dark Sky New Mexico LLC of Animas, NM as today's "Star Business" at the Roundhouse. Dark Sky New Mexico...
Happy New Year – 10 Must-See Night Sky events in 2021
The first event, which is coming up in just a couple days, is the Quadrantid meteor shower on January 3rd. On March 5th, Jupiter and Mercury will meet in a very close conjunction in the sky, separated by only .35 degrees. On May 5th, a Supermoon when the moon will...
Covid-19 Protocols at Dark Sky New Mexico
We believe we can speak for everyone when we say that 2020 has not been anything we could have expected. Dark Sky New Mexico celebrated it’s 4th anniversary this year, and that we now have 35 astronomers on-site, while we prepare Covid-19 protocols to keep everyone...
8 Stunning Places You Should Definitely Visit in New Mexico
We’re so excited to be featured in this article by Suny Errot for When In Your State!If you want to say “you are my galaxy” to your significant other, then you should go to the Dark Skies Trail and appreciate the majestic skies. It is the perfect destination if you...
David Elmore visits DSNM
David Elmore, a world class astrophotographer, recently spent ten nights at Dark Sky New Mexico. He summarized this project in a recent electronic discussion before returning to his home near Boulder, Colorado.“The galaxy has many molecular clouds that appear over a...
Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE Image Captured by DSNM Astronomer
Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE, shown in this image captured by Dark Sky New Mexico Astronomer David Seung, was discovered earlier this year by NASA's NEOWISE space telescope. The comet will be visible just below the Big Dipper right after sunset during late July. It may be...
The 44 Closest Stars
by Michael Barrick and Alan Bernau Jr. Admiring the stars above is a universally cherished pastime of humanity, especially on brisk summer nights around a campfire. They may appear close enough to touch, but the closest star, called Proxima Centauri, is a...
Bees at Dark Sky New Mexico
Each year, honey bees visit Dark Sky New Mexico looking for a new home. They are essentially harmless but are quite valuable as pollinators for local farmers and gardeners. Kyle Josephy, a local apiarist, works with DSNM to gather and relocate these bees to his...
Celebrating Birthdays at DSNM during Pandemic
DSNM is closed to visitors but birthdays happen even during these turbulent times! Al Acker (seated), DSNM Electronics and Computer Wizard, celebrated his 73rd birthday this past Friday with a small (Count: 5) group. Diana Casas Hensley made apple pie while Vince...
UPDATED: Renown Night Sky Photographer David Elmore Visits DSNM
David Elmore, a renown night sky photographer based in Boulder, Colorado, is visiting Dark Sky New Mexico (DSNM) this week. On Tuesday, he captured this image of the Dolphin Head using an ASI6200MM Pro through H-alpha and Oxygen III filters behind a Vixen VSD 100 at...
The Fainting of Betelgeuse – Update
Betelgeuse photographed by Brian Ottum of Animas, New Mexico, almost 4 years apart using the same telescope and observing methods. Written by Dr. Tony Phillips Jan. 10, 2020: One day, perhaps in our lifetimes, perhaps a million years from now, the red giant Betelgeuse...
DSNM Supports the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Plates for Education Workshop
Dark Sky New Mexico was pleased to sponsor a Las Cruces teacher to attend the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Plates for Education Workshop. This workshop was offered in conjunction with the 108th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)...