Free Star Party at the Space Museum, Saturday, Nov. 14

The New Mexico Museum of Space History and the Astronomy League are hosting a free public star party on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Alamogordo. The night starts with a constellation show in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium, then moves outside to the museum's observatory for telescope viewing. It is family friendly and open to everyone.

Our dark desert skies are one of my favorite things about living here, and a star party is the easiest way to enjoy them with people who know exactly where to point a telescope.

What happens at the November 14 star party?

According to the museum's star party event page, the evening opens with a Constellation Show in the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium. After the show, everyone heads to the Observatory Complex for telescope viewing.

Expect a variety of telescopes, live images on a big screen, and astronomers and astrophotographers who are happy to talk about how they observe. They will also explain image stacking, where many photos are combined to bring out faint galaxies, nebulae and star clusters you could never see in one shot.

When and where is it?

What if the weather is cloudy?

The museum says that if it is cloudy or the weather is bad, all of the programming moves inside the Dome Theater and Planetarium. So the night still happens, just under the dome instead of the open sky. Restrooms are open before and during the planetarium show.

Tips for your first star party

• Dress warm. November nights on the hill above town cool off quickly once the sun goes down, so bring a jacket for the kids too.
• It gets dark early. Daylight saving time ends November 1, so by 7 p.m. it is well past sunset. My daylight saving time post has the details.
• Go easy on bright lights. If you have a red flashlight, bring it, and keep phone screens dim near the telescopes so everyone's eyes stay adjusted to the dark.
• Ask questions. The astronomers are there to share. Kids especially love asking what they are looking at.

If you want more sky watching this season, my guide to meteor showers near Alamogordo in November and December lists the best nights coming up.

Why do Alamogordo's night skies matter for people moving here?

Not every town has a world class space museum on the hillside and skies dark enough to see the Milky Way from the edge of town. Free nights like this are part of everyday life here, and they are a great way for new families, including military families at Holloman, to meet neighbors who share an interest. If you are thinking about a move, my Moving to Alamogordo guide covers what daily life is like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Event details come from the New Mexico Museum of Space History's event page, checked 28 October 2026. Plans can change, so check the museum's page before you go.