Headlight Staff Reports

LAS CRUCES, NM – Residents and visitors to Grant and Luna counties as well as Sierra County will have opportunities to learn about the spring night sky at Stars-N-Parks astronomy programs to be held at area state parks this spring.

Thirteen astronomy programs will be held: six at City of Rocks State Park, between Deming and Silver City; and six at Rockhound State Park, near Deming. An additional program will be held at Caballo Lake State Park, located approximately 17 miles north of Hatch. The National Public Observatory sponsors the Stars-N-Parks astronomy programs.

Stars-N-Parks attendees should arrive at the park at sunset so they can become familiar with their surroundings before nightfall. This is also an excellent time for informal instruction by the presenter and getting acquainted with other attendees. A formal presentation on the night sky begins approximately an hour after sunset, followed by telescope observations.

Pay the $5 day-use fee at the gate when arriving at the park or you may purchase a State Park Annual Day Use (ADU) pass at any state park or online at www.nmparks.com. The $40 passes are good for one year from the date of purchase and can be transferred to any vehicle.

The NPO is a non-profit membership organization that sponsors astronomy programs for all. Suggested donations for the program are $5 per couple, or $3 per individual. For more information on the NPO find us on Facebook.

Stars-N-Parks Spring 2019 schedule

January 2019

Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, Rockhound State Park

Sunset: 5:36 p.m., Program Start: 6:25 p.m., Program End: 7:55 p.m.

Mars is in the southwest. Orion is in the east. Sirius and Procyon are rising.

Presenter: Mike Nuss

Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, City of Rocks State Park

Sunset: 5:31 p.m., Program Start: 6:40 p.m., Program End: 8:10 p.m.

Mars is in the west. Orion is high in the east. Canopus is rising.

Presenter: Bill Nigg

February 2019

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, Rockhead State Park

Sunset: 5:38 p.m., Program Start: 6:50 p.m., Program End: 8:20 p.m.

Mars is in the west. Orion is high in the east. Canopus is rising.

Presenter Mike Nuss

March 2019

Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019, Rockhound State Park

Sunset: 6:02 p.m., Program Start: 7:10 p.m., Program End: 8:40 p.m.

Mars is low in the west. Orion is transiting, as has Canopus.

Presenter: Mike Nuss

Saturday, Mar. 2, 2019, City of Rock State Park

Sunset: 6:02 p.m., Program Start: 7:10 p.m., Program End: 8:40 p.m.

Mars is low in the west. Orion is transiting, as has Canopus.

Presenter: Bill Nigg

Saturday, Mar. 9, 2019, Caballo Lake State Park

Sunset: 6:09 p.m., Program Start: 7:20 p.m., Program End: 8:50 p.m.

Mars is low in the west. Orion is transiting, as has Canopus.

Presenter: John Gilkison

Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday, March 10, 2019.

Saturday, Mar. 30, 2019, City of Rock State Park

Sunset: 7:22 p.m., Program Start: 8:30 p.m., Program End: 10 p.m.

Mars is low in the west. Orion is transiting, as has Canopus.

Presenter: Bill Nigg

April 2019

Saturday, April 6, 2019, Rockhound State Park

Sunset: 7:27 p.m., Program Start: 8:40 p.m., Program End: 10:10 p.m.

Mars is in the west. Orion is setting, as is Canopus. Leo is high in the east.

Presenter: Mike Nuss

Saturday, April 27, 2019, City of Rocks State Park

Sunset: 7:42 p.m., Program Start: 8:50 p.m., Program End: 10:20 p.m.

Mars is in the west. Orion is setting, as is Canopus. Leo is high in the east.

Presenter: Bill Nigg

May 2019

Saturday, May 4, 2019, Rockhound State Park

Sunset: 7:47 p.m., Program Start: 9 p.m., Program End: 10:30 p.m.

Orion is setting. Leo is on the meridian and Bootes is in the northeast.

Presenter: Mike Nuss

Saturday, May 25, 2019, City of Rocks State Park

Sunset: 8:01 p.m., Program Start: 9:10 p.m., Program End: 10:40 p.m.

Mars is setting. Leo is low in the west. The Milky Way is rising, as is Jupiter by program end.

Presenter: Bill Nigg

June 2019

Saturday, June 1, 2019, Rockhound State Park

Sunset: 8:06 p.m., Program Start: 9:15 p.m., Program End: 10:45 p.m.

Mars is setting. Leo is low in the west. The Milky Way is rising, as is Jupiter by program’s end.

Presenter: Mike Nuss

Saturday, Jun. 22, 2019, City of Rocks State Park

Sunset: 8:14 p.m., Program Start: 9:25 p.m., Program End: 10:55 p.m.

Both Jupiter and Saturn are above the horizon before program’s end. The Summer Milky Way is rising in the east.

Presenter: Bill Nigg