An Ideal Getaway for the Discerning Astrophotographer in Rodeo, New Mexico

摘要

If you drive along the Interstates heading east out of Arizona into New Mexico, you could easily miss the hidden and more-remote places in that desert climate that are perfect for a serious astronomer. Whether you enjoy the simple pleasures of viewing or have a vehicle full of equipment ready for imaging, there are several places to set up telescopes and enjoy nights of clear skies and pleasant temperatures. One of these is in the vast open area between two mountain ranges in the very deep southwest corner of New Mexico-a perfect place for clear skies. In your visit to this area, you are likely to come across others who are looking for the same things: zero light pollution, gentle weather, and pristine skies (on average, 340 days per year of cloudless skies). Scan the surrounding properties from the driver's seat and you will spot the tell-tale signs of amateur astronomy in the numerous white domes sprouting from the back yards of distant homesteads. This part of New Mexico and adjacent Arizona is becoming a favoured vacation spot for those who seek ideal conditions from which to hone their astronomy skills.