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 2014/2015

For information call: 575-437-8284

Program Name: Orion the Hunter
Date(s): March 14, 2015 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a tour of the winter sky. Orion and his companion constellations will be highlighted. Dress warmly, come early and enjoy a beautiful Dog Canyon Sunset. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: Venus and the Pleiades
Date(s): April 18, 2015 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: Join the Amateur Astronomers Group for a spring sky tour. Celebrate International Astronomy Day and NASA's Dawn mission arrival at Ceres- the largest asteroid in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. In the west after sunset Venus will form a close conjunction with the Pleiades, while Jupiter dominates the sky in Cancer. Come early and enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Calisto and Arcus
Date(s): May 16, 2015 Time: 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a summer sky tour. Learn the constellations Ursa Major and Bootes, which are linked by the myths of Callisto and Arcus. Come early and enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Day-use fee required. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284


Program Name: Venus in the Beehive Cluster
Date(s): June 13, 2015 Time: 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a summer sky tour. Venus may be viewed against the background of the Beehive Cluster. Jupiter is nearby Venus and Saturn in the southeast will also be prominent in the night sky. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: Saturn: Time and Agriculture
Date(s): July 25, 2015 Time: 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a summer sky tour. Celebrate NASA's New Horizons mission at Pluto. Saturn will dominate the night sky, as Venus, Jupiter, and a Crescent Moon set in the western. Mythically, the god Saturn represents Time and Agriculture, while the planet Saturn is one of the most beautiful objects in our sky. Come early and enjoy the beauty of Dog Canyon at sundown. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: Scorpio
Date(s): August 15, 2015 Time: 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring a summer sky tour. Scorpio dominates the southern sky in August. One of the largest and oldest constellations, it dates back to Babylonian origins. Saturn will also be prominent in nearby Libra. Neptune will be nearing 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: A Harvest Moon Eclipse
Date(s): September 27, 2015 Time: 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will be sponsoring special Sunday program featuring the rise of an eclipsed moon over the Sacramento Mountains. Although the eclipse will start right after sun down, it will not break the mountains’ sky line until about 8:30 pm at our location. The Harvest Moon takes its name from Algonquin calendar of months, and refers to the extra light provide by this moon during harvest time. Come listen to stories and myths about the moon, while watching this uncommon evening lunar eclipse. Fee: Day-use fee required. For information call: 575-437-8284.


Program Name: The Summer Triangle
Date(s): October 10, 2015 Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Location: Meet at 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. Uranus is nearly at opposition. 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 Crescent Moon
Date(s): November 14, 2015 Time: 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group will sponsor a night under the stars. A Crescent Moon in Sagittarius will grace the evening sky. 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 Perseus Story Cycle
Date(s): December 12, 2015 Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Location: Meet at Group Shelter
Description: The Amateur Astronomers Group 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 2014/2015


Program Name: WSMR Solar Star Party
Date: TBD Location: WSMR Elementary/Middle School
Description: The AAG will bring their solar telescopes and outreach program to the WSMR Elementary/Middle School.

Program Name: Space Rocks!
Date: April 2015 Location: NMSU-A Community Education
Description: Explore the universe around you during this 1-day Astronomy class. Discover a solar system of asteroids, meteoroids, and comets. Learn more about space missions that explore our galaxy. (1 session) Stay tuned for more details!

Program Name: International Observe the Moon Night
Date: September 19, 2015 Location: TBD
Description: International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) is an annual event that is dedicated to encouraging people to ‘look up’ and take notice of our nearest neighbor, the Moon. From looking at the Moon with a naked eye to using the most sensitive telescope, every year on the same day, people from around the world hold events and activities that celebrate our Moon

Program Name: NM Museum of Space History Induction Ceremony
Date: October 2015 Location: NM Museum of Space History
Description: The AAG and the New Mexico Museum of Space History will be teaming up in October 2015 for a solar star party to coincide with the museum's induction cermony. Stay tuned for details!

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







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