Event
-
11/18/2017
Location:
Montezuma Pass, Coronado National Memorial,
Fee Information: Free
Contact Name: Park staff
Contact Email: E-Mail Us
Contact Phone Number: 520-366-5515
The Huachuca Astronomy Club (HAC) and Coronado National Memorial will co-host a Star Party from 6 to 8 pm on Saturday, November 18, 2017. This special evening event, celebrating our beautiful dark night skies in southeastern Arizona, will begin around dusk at Montezuma Pass at Coronado National Memorial. The knowledgeable members of HAC will set up telescopes in the parking lot at Montezuma Pass for the public to view the night sky, including the planet Saturn, far-away galaxies such as Andromeda, and distant nebulae where stars are born. The moon will be new, so it should be exceptionally dark making the stars and astronomical objects very bright (weather permitting).
Montezuma Pass is located three miles west of the Coronado National Memorial Visitor Center on East Montezuma Canyon Road/Forest Road 61. The last two miles are unpaved. The graded forest road is narrow in sections as it switchbacks up the canyon to the summit parking lot. Restrooms are available at Montezuma Pass, but no other amenities. Parking is limited so carpooling is highly recommended.
Visitors are encouraged to dress in layers, as November nights at the Pass are cool. Please minimize flashlight use to preserve night vision. If available, visitors should use a red night vision flashlight or consider covering a standard flashlight with red cellophane or brake light tape.
Please be conscience of headlights when entering the parking lot at Montezuma Pass. It takes many minutes for one's eyes to adjust to the dark and a moment of bright light can reset that clock. A ranger or volunteer will meet your vehicle as you drive up to Montezuma Pass. They will guide you to a parking space and, if dark, will walk you with red lights to the telescope viewing area.
Come enjoy the clear, high-desert skies with the Huachuca Astronomy Club and park rangers at Coronado National Memorial!