Offering clear, dark skies, outstanding speakers, astronomical tours and a genuine taste of the great American Southwest, the Enchanted Skies Star Party has drawn astronomy enthusiasts from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Socorro, New Mexico, about 75 miles south of Albuquerque on I-25, offers a dry, desert climate, dark skies and a friendly, small-town environment. Our Autumn skies and mild climate provide excellent observing and a relaxing atmosphere.

This is the popular astronomical event that has been featured in astronomy magazines, newspapers and television shows across the country.

In the Heart of "Astronomy Country"

New Mexico is one of the world's leading centers of astronomical research. The state is host to two national observatories, three national laboratories, and three state universities that operate vigorous astronomy programs. In addition, Apache Point Observatory is the site of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and, along with the National Solar Observatory, operates a popular visitor center for the public. Amateur astronomers from around the world plan vacations to take advantage of New Mexico's dark skies, now protected from light pollution by a state law enacted in 1999.

Socorro hosts the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which operates the world-famous Very Large Array (VLA) and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio telescopes. The VLA Visitor Center welcomes visitors from around the world all year long. Socorro's New Mexico Tech, a nationally-recognized research university, is beginning work on the new Magdelena Ridge Observatory, which will sit atop South Baldy (10,700 feet), about 25 miles from town. MIT Lincoln Labs operates the LINEAR observatory a few miles southwest of Socorro. LINEAR has broken all records for discovering new asteroids and comets.

Socorro also is the ideal starting point for your astronomical vacation tour, less than a day's drive from McDonald Observatory in Texas and Lowell Observatory and Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.

Questions? Send e-mail to tourism@socorronm.com

For information about Socorro and the surrounding area, check out:
City of Socorro Web Site.

(^*Astronomy for Dummies, Dr. Stephen P. Maran, IDG Books Worldwide, Foster City, CA, 1999, p. 39.)