Frequently Asked Questions

What will I see?

A variety of objects will be visible. Exactly what is offered to view depends upon the time of year and the seeing conditions during our session. Often we can view some of the planets that share our solar system. Then, there are the deep sky objects. Some of them like nebulae, supernova remnants, stars and star clusters, are within the Milky Way Galaxy while other objects are much more distant.

What do these objects look like?

To the human eye, celestial objects appear very different than what you might expect based upon images from the Hubble Space Telescope or books. Our vision is not very sensitive to dim objects. Deep sky objects like nebulae and other galaxies have a subtle, almost ethereal quality challenging the limits of perception. On the other hand, planets and many stars will reveal color views and are sure crowd pleasers. There is nothing like the thrill of seeing the rings of Saturn in ‘real time’!

What kind of equipment do you use?

My main telescope for night sky tours is a 20 inch (.51 meter) aperture Newtonian Reflector. It collects nearly 10,000 times more light than the unaided human eye. Taller than most people when pointed straight up, one or two steps on a sturdy step stool brings the eyepiece within easy reach

When do the tours start and how long do they last?

Tour start times vary with the season. Generally, tours last about one and a half to two hours. Use the dates show below to determine the start time for your tour.

September 16^th through March 14^th – 8PM
March 14^th through May 9^th– 8:30PM
May 10^th through August 10^th – 9PM
August 11^th through September 15^th – 8:30PM

Do you provide transportation?

No, I do not provide transportation. The viewing site is located near the village of Cerrillos – 15 miles south of Santa Fe along the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (NM State Hwy 14). Since most folks rent a car after arriving in Albuquerque, this issue is usually not a problem. Detailed directions to the dark site are provided once your booking has been confirmed by payment. There are chairs, a warming hut, and a toilet at the viewing site.

Allow 35-45 minutes drive time from the central part of Santa Fe. An hour plus from Albuquerque. Drive times are approximate and will vary depending upon where you start out and other conditions.

What is your background?

I have been a student of the sky since childhood. I believe that because my astronomy knowledge is from a grass-roots level it makes what I share with people at my tours more accessible, interesting, and fun. My approach to astronomy is that the night sky belongs to all of us. It is not just for highly trained and educated scientists to explore. Anybody can experience the magic of the heavens. All you need to do is look up.

The weather doesn’t look promising for a tour tonight. Are you still going ahead as scheduled?

Absolutely! I keep a very close watch on weather and sky conditions. Often what looks threatening and overcast during daytime clears up in the hours before an Astronomy Adventure. Even if conditions aren’t ideal, we can often view through gaps between the clouds. In the unlikely event there is severe weather expected, I will be in touch to cancel or reschedule the tour.

Cancellation and refunds

In the event of a late cancellation or no-show on a night that has been confirmed, no refund will be granted.

Group cancellations with less than 30 days notice forfeit the $100 deposit.

Weather Challenges:

Astronomy Adventures may still be possible even when there are questionable weather conditions. Don’t worry about daytime clouds or forecasts days out from our scheduled Astronomy Adventure. I monitor dynamic imagery from visible, infrared and water vapor satellites. Static icons on weather websites and apps can be misleading.

If necessary, I make a call 90 minutes before the scheduled start time to cancel or reschedule. If you do not hear from me, please expect the Astronomy Adventure to be ‘ON’ as planned.

Northern New Mexico, with its mountainous terrain, provides a good example of what scientists call ‘micro-climates’. Don’t get faked-out. If the sky appears cloudy or overcast above Santa Fe, please do not assume the same is true for the dark site.

If a tour is not possible due to inclement weather – buckets of rain, snow, or complete overcast, I will attempt to reschedule the tour for the next possible date. I make the ‘official’ cancellation call. If a tour is not possible because of weather – your payment is refunded.

**Please note: when I offer a rescheduled date and you accept the arrangement, all policies regarding weather challenges, late cancellation and no-show still apply**

When a group booking preemptively cancels before I make a careful determination about weather, such cases are handled as a no-show and no refunds are granted.