News Release

Night Sky Event October 7 2023

The church under a starry sky

NPS Photo/Stan Ford

News Release Date: September 23, 2023

Contact: E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center, [phone]

Pecos, NM: Autumn brings cooler temperatures…and longer nights! Join Pecos National Historical Park for special free astronomy programs in the coming month.

On Saturday, September 30, experience Pecos Pueblo under the emerging light of the full moon. Join park staff for an evening guided hike of the Ancestral Sites Trail and learn about seasons, stories, and archeoastronomy. Park entrance gates will be open to reservation holders at 6:30pm and will close at 7pm. The walk will conclude at approximately 8:30pm.

On Saturday, October 7, park staff and volunteers from the Santa Fe Stargazers will bring out telescopes and binoculars to gaze at the stars and check out deep-sky objects. Visitors are also invited to bring their own telescopes and spotting scopes to explore the night skies. Park entrance gates will be open to reservation holders at 6pm and will close at 7pm. After 7pm, no further entry will be permitted. The event will wrap up at 8pm.

Advance reservations are required for both events, and space is limited.

Reservations may be made by calling 505-757-7241. Both events are weather-dependent, and red-bulb flashlights and appropriate clothing are strongly recommended.

Note that, due to limited capacity, Pecos will not be hosting any special programming for the annular eclipse on Saturday, October 14. If parking is full, park gates will be temporarily closed. Check local organization, museum, and city websites for more information about eclipse events in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Los Alamos, and beyond!  

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From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the visitor center will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the visitor center will be on your left.