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 and the New Mexico Museum of Space History with their astronomy events along with 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 2016/2017

For information call: 575-437-8284

Program Name: Look... Up in the Sky - its (a) Supermoon
Date(s): October 16, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will have a special SUNDAY showing of the Supermoon. A Supermoon occurs when the full Moon occurs while its at perhelion, the closest point in the Moon's orbit around the Earth. Watch the Moon as it rises against the Sacramento escarpment. Learn why the October full Moon is also sometimes called the Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon or the Travel Moon. The term "Supermoon" only dates back to about 30 years ago when astrologers first coined the term. Some astronomers dislike the idea, but we love it as it gets people to take a look up at our nearest celestial neighbor. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: The Moon and Andromeda
Date(s): November 5, 2016 Time: 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be bidding fairwell to the summer constellations along with a view of a waxing crescent moon. The Andromeda Galaxy, the nearest large galaxy in the northern hemisphere will be prominent in the night sky along with several open clusters and nebula. Dress warmly, come early to hear stories of the night sky. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: The Crescent Moon
Date(s): December 10, 2016 Time: 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be highlighting the waxing crescent moon. View impact craters, mountains and rilles through the AAG telescopes along with several open clusters and nebula. Dress warmly, come early to hear stories of the night sky. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Venus- The Evening Star
Date(s): January 14, 2017 Time: 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be showcasing the planet Venus. Venus has been a major fixture in human culture for as long as records have existed. Come early to hear stories of the evening star that has inspired poets and writers for millenia. Learn how the space age has changed our view of our sister planet. View the Orion nebula- a major star forming region, clusters and galaxies through the AAG's telescopes. Dress warmly and enjoy hot cocoa and coffee courtesy of the AAG. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Date(s): Febuary 11, 2017 Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the Moon will darken slightly but not completely. The eclipse will already be in progress as the Moon rises over the Sacramento Mountians escarpment. Come early to hear stories, myths and science about the Moon and view other objects in the night sky. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: The Spring Equinox
Date(s): March 18, 2017 Time: 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: An equinox occurs when the Sun shines directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. March 20th marks the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere. Come early view the Sun through the AAG's solar telescopes and stay to hear stories of night sky and view plenty of Messier objects through telescopes after sunset. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Jupiter and the Lyrids
Date(s): April 22, 2017 Time: 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The king of the planets - Jupiter - will be making its best appearance of the year. A medium-sized telescope should be able to show you some of the details in Jupiter's cloud bands. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter's four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the planet. The Lyrid meteor shower is peaking tonight and can produce up to about 20 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. Come early to hear myths and stories of Jupiter and the latest science results from NASA's Juno mission. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Scorpio Rising
Date(s): May 20, 2017 Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: One constellation truely looks like its namesake - Scorpio the scorpion. This summer constellation features several deep sky objects to marvel at, including the red-orange star Antares, the heart of the scorpion. If you replaced our Sun with Antares, it would stretch out to the orbit of Jupiter - making it one of the largest stars in our galactic neighborhood. Come early to hear classical stories of Scorpius or see if it looks like a leaning coconut tree ? Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Saturn at Opposition
Date(s): June 18, 2017 Time: 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The ringed planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Saturn and its moons. A medium-sized or larger telescope will allow you to see Saturn's rings and a few of its brightest moons. Come early and enjoy the sunset from Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and hear the mythology of Chronos (Father Time). Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Downtown Lights
Date(s): July 22, 2017 Time: 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: Join the Amateur Astronomers Group as the constellation of Sagittarius takes center stage this month. To the naked eye, the constellation resembles a teapot with steam coming out from its spout. From our perspective in the galaxy, Sagittarius is in-line with the "downtown view" of our galaxy. On Earth, downtown is where the large structures and bright lights are located. Sagittarius is home to many open and globular clusters, star forming regions, and the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. Come early to hear stories about how we found our place in the galaxy. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Perseids Meteor Shower
Date(s): August 13, 2017 Time: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Perseids are one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The Perseids are famous for producing a large number of bright meteors. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Perseus, but can appear anywhere in the sky. 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 2016


Program Name: STEM Science Club
Date(s): Tuesday's Time: 3:45 - 4:30 pm Location: Imago Dei Academy
Description: Members of the Amateur Astronomers Group will be conducting a STEM Science Club at Imago Dei Academy in Alamogordo for the 2016-2017 school year. The group will demonstrate a broad range of science and engineering concepts from astronomy and electricity to chemistry and civil engineering.

Program Name: Valley of Fires Star Party
Date(s): September 24, 2016 Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Location: Valley of Fires/Carrizozo NM
Description: Members of the Amateur Astronomers Group will be traveling to Carrizozo NM to help out Valley of Fires NRA celebrate National Public Lands Day with a solar astronomy event.

Program Name: Size of the Solar System
Date(s): September 30, 2016 Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Location: Imago Dei Academy NM
Description: The AAG will be dropping in on the astronomy class at Imago Dei Academy to give a demonstration on the size of the solar system and talk about NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission.

Program Name: ABQ Boy Scout Troop Star Party
Date(s): Oct 7 or 8, 2016 Time: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Location: Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
Description: The AAG will host a star party for a Boy Scout troop traveling down from Albuquerque, NM at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and help them towards their astronomy merit badges.

Program Name: Girl Scout Troop Star Party
Date(s): Oct 14, 2016 Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Location: NM Museum of Space History
Description: The AAG will host a star party for a local Girl Scout troop and help them towards their astronomy merit badges.




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







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