The Amateur Astronomers Group is located in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The majority of our members are from South Central New Mexico. We are comprised of amateur astronomers with a variety of backgrounds and experience levels. Our group primarily supports Oliver Lee State Park with their astronomy events and other local outreach opportunities. The membership ranges from beginners to highly advanced individuals conducting scientific research. We welcome everyone, especially families and youngsters. Telescopes NOT required. Best of all membership is FREE!


CURRENT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
and the
Amateur Astronomers Group


Schedule of Night Sky Programs 2014

For information call: 575-437-8284

Program Name: The Sturgeon Super Moon
Date(s): August 9, 2014 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: Enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Watch the supermoon rise over the Sacramento escarpment. The Sturgeon Moon takes its name from the Algonquin names for the months. Those tribes that relied on fishing knew that large sturgeons were more easily caught during this month. A Super Moon is when the full moon is at perigee (closest to the earth) in its lunar orbit, although most of us would not notice the difference. Come enjoy stories and myths about the moon. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: Mars and Saturn
Date(s): August 23, 2014 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a tour of the summer night sky. As Mars and Saturn approach a close conjunction in Libra on the 25th they create a striking pair in the evening sky. Neptune is near opposition. Come early and enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: Mars and Saturn
Date(s): September 27, 2014 Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will sponsor an evening under the stars. Two conjunctions occur in the evening sky tonight. The crescent moon and Saturn are at a very close conjunction, less than a degree apart. A little higher in the sky red Mars is close to the red star Antares. Antares means “Rival of Mars”; at a magnitude of 0.96 it should truly rival Mars in brightness. Come early and enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: The Summer Triangle
Date(s): October 25, 2014 Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group of the New Mexico will be sponsoring a tour of the early fall night sky. The constellations of the Summer Triangle reign supreme, while the Milky Way dominates the night sky. Comet Siding Springs will have just passed Mars. Dress warmly, come early and enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: The Milky Way
Date(s): November 22, 2014 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group of the New Mexico will be sponsoring a tour of the fall night sky. Ever wonder why our galaxy is called the Milky Way? Come learn some fun facts and stories about the Milky Way. This bright band of stars stretches from Sagittarius in the southwest to Perseus in the northeast but only represents about one half of our galaxy. Dress warmly, come early and enjoy a beautiful Dog Canyon Sunset. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: The Perseus Story Cycle
Date(s): December 13, 2014 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group of the New Mexico will be sponsoring a tour of the fall night sky. Come listen to tales from the night sky: the Perseus story cycle. The constellations Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus and Cetus linked Greek cultures together and created the plot line for the movie "Clash of the Titans". A few Geminid meteors may also enliven the night sky. Dress warmly, come early and enjoy a beautiful Dog Canyon Sunset. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.




OTHER EVENTS

in south-central New Mexico
with the
Amateur Astronomers Group


Schedule of Programs 2014


Program Name: Alamogordo Solar Eclipse Party
Month: October 23, 2014: Time: TBD Location: NMMSH Parking Lot
Description: The AAG and the New Mexico Museum of Space History are teaming up again to throw an Alamogordo Solar Eclipse Party in the parking lot of the museum. The eclipse will only be 30% but the fun will be 100%.

Program Name: Solar Eclipse Conference Star Party
Month: October 24, 2014 Location: The Lodge - Cloudcroft
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be hosting an evening star party for the Solar Eclipse Conference at The Lodge in Cloudcroft NM. For details about the conference, click HERE


Program Name: Light-Heat-Action: Our Sun (for kids)
Month: November 15, 2014 Location: NMSU-A Community Education
Description: The Sun reigns over the solar system. Powerful events deep inside the Sun can affect events millions of miles away including life here on Earth. The Amateur Astronomers Group is conducting a one-day solar class geared towards kids ages 7-14. The class will discuss the nature of light, magnetism and electricity with demonstrations and experiments. We will look at the Sun through hydrogen alpha telescopes and see how these events play out on a grand scale.. Stay tuned for more details!

Other collaborations are in the works.... stay tuned!







Check out which constellations are currently up in the sky with the AAG SkyViewer