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 Night Sky a Cultural Clock
Month: April 19, 2014 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: Join the Amateur Astronomers Group for a spring sky tour. Learn about celestial cycles and how early cultures used the night sky to time their daily lives. View the stars and constellations in the dark skies over Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. Mars will appear its biggest in telescopes for the year. 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 Crescent Moon and Jupiter
Month: May 3, 2014 Time: 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will celebrate Astronomy Day and sponsor an evening under the stars. A Crescent Moon and Jupiter dominate the western sky in Gemini, while bright Mars rises in Virgo. Saturn will be 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: The Celestial Cycle: Summer Solstice
Month: June 21, 2014 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: Enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Learn about celestial cycles and how early cultures used the night sky to time their daily lives. Although we think of the Summer Solstice as the beginning of summer, most of Europe and parts of the Americas celebrate it as Mid-summer’s Night or St. John’s Eve. View the stars and constellations in the dark skies over Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: Scorpio
Month: July 26, 2014 Time: 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm Location: Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a summer sky tour. Scorpio and Antares dominates the southern sky in July. One of the largest and oldest constellations, it dates back to Babylonian origins. Saturn will also be prominent in nearby Libra and Mars in resides in Virgo. 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 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: Earth Day - Alamogordo NM
Month: April 26, 2014 Location: Alamogordo Zoo
Description: Look for the Amateur Astronomers Group at the Earth Day celebration at the zoo in Alamogordo.

Program Name: International SUN-day
Month: June 22, 2014 Location: NMMSH
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will participate in International SUN-day - a program that encourages a greater appreciation of our closest star. Stay tuned for more details !

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


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







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