Welcome!
Greetings from the professional and amateur astronomers who comprise the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces (ASLC). The club was formed in 1951 by a group of dedicated astronomers including Clyde Tombaugh, who had discovered Pluto just 21 years earlier. For nearly 60 years, we've been sharing a little bit of the universe with our community under our beautiful Southern New Mexico skies.
The club has a variety of ongoing observing, education and public outreach programs. We host a public Moongaze each month, offer beginning astronomy courses and support countless star parties for schools, scouts and various organizations. We also hold a meeting each month which includes a featured presentation.
To learn more about our society, please click here or select from the tabs above or the 'Quick Links' on the left.
July Program - Contributions Amateurs Can Make To Astronomy
Astronomy is one of the few sciences that relies on regular contributions by amateurs. The July meeting will focus on a variety of opportunities that amateur astronomers can participate in, and the organizations that amateurs and professionals participate in to further the science of astronomy. Speakers will include several members of ASLC who belong to and/or contribute to these organizations (AAVSO, IOTA, IDA, ALPO, Astronomical League, etcetera). Each speaker will give a brief overview of the organization and the opportunities available to those who wish to contribute.
The July meeting begins with an imager's corner at 7:00 followed by a brief business meeting at 7:30. The main program gets underway at approximately 8 pm. The meeting will be in room 77 of the Dona Ana Community College (map).
ASLC Photo of the Week - Saturn by George Hatfield
As seen from Earth, the rings of Saturn change orientation with a period of 29.5 years after being twice edge on. The intervals between edge-on orientations are 15.75 and 13.75 years alternatively. The rings were/will be edge-on in 1980, 1995, 2009, 2024, etc., and at maximum opening angle in 1987, 2002, 2016, 2031, etc.
This image was taken with a DMK video monochrome camera. Clicking the image will bring up a larger field of view.
A Flash (or streak) in The Night
Here's a brief summary of the brighter International Space Station passes and and Iridium Flares that can be viewed from the Las Cruces area during the next few days. Additional Info can be found here.
* Brightness is indicated as magnitude. Smaller values are brighter. For example, Polaris (the North Star) shines at about magnitude 2; Venus shines at about -4 magnitude; The full Moon shines at a magnitude of around -13 (my neighbor's bright yellow house is around mag. -16).
