Day Trip #4 The Space Odyssey
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DAY TRIP (Space and Beyond)
Space Log: Length of voyage…1000.008 Plutobytes or Approximately 8 hours Earth time
Start your voyage early with a great Ruidoso breakfast. Intake your energy protons at one of the many “Out of this World” human re-fueling stations located in the Village. We recommend Pena’s, Lincoln County Grill or the Cornerstone Bakery which are all located on Sudderth Drive. Of course, anywhere you energize in Ruidoso will be enjoyed by the entire crew.
Now you are set for take off and will set your course for Hwy 70 West, destination Alamagordo and the “New Mexico Museum of Space History”. Head east on Sudderth Drive to the Hwy 70 West junction and take a hard right. This will take you down through the Mescalero, Tularosa and into the Earth community of Alamagordo.
On the way watch for your first glimpse of the White Sands on the horizon and wonder what the first visitors to this planet must have thought when they first spotted it. Once your Earth craft reaches Alamagordo just follow White Sands Boulevard (which is the main road that you will already be on) to the well-marked turn off to the Space Center. Once at the center you will be amazed by the Museum, Planetarium, IMAX theater and International Space Hall of Fame.
Spectacular features of the Center include the Daisy Track Exhibit which is a restored G-Force machine used by Holloman Air Force Base to study the effects of gravity on the human body. Another is the "Cosmic Voyage" IMAX film which Returns to Alamogordo March 1, where Audiences will have a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of the cosmos and explore humanity's true place in the vast continuum of nature…from the tiniest building blocks of matter to superclusters of galaxies in outer space. Also of special interest at the Center is “Shuttle Camp.” For information and registration in this exciting program call before leaving home 1-877-333-6589.
Space Log: On average this part of your Space adventure will have taken 3 hours.
For the next stage of this astronomical trip your will set your headings for Cloudcroft (Sun Spot) and the Sun Spot National Solar Observatory. But first, you must make sure your Land Craft is fueled up and your crew nourished because there are no services in Sun Spot…at least not for Earthlings. To get there navigate your Earth Craft East on White Sands Boulevard to the well-marked intersection of Hwy 70 East and Hwy 82 where you will bank to the right, following this course for 40 miles to the Earth town of Sun Spot. The actual street address is 1 Loop Drive in Sun Spot.
Once there you will have many fascinating activities to choose from. Included in these are three different tour options as well as hiking, sight seeing and perusing the Gift Shop.
Sun Spot Observatory TOURS:
SELF-GUIDED TOUR: Brochures including a map of the observatory and a description of its history and of the telescopes are available free of charge in the Visitors Center. These tours are free of charge with no reservations needed.
REGULAR GUIDED TOURS: These tours run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting at 2 pm during the summer months (June, July,& August). Depending on the availability of tour guides, we may offer more regular tours during the summer vacation season. These tours will have minimal charges to recoup tour guide expenses [$2.00 adult/$1.00 children (10-up)/$1.00 Seniors]. Educational group fees may be waived. Reservations are not required. The standard guided tour includes (depending on the number of visitors) a slide show presentation about the Observatory and the Sun (about 45 minutes), and (always) a walk around the Observatory including a visit of at least the largest telescope (the Dunn Solar Telescope) (also about 45 minutes).
PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS: Groups of at least 10 visitors, of all ages, can arrange for private guided tours any day of the week, all year round (depending on availability of a tour guide). The slide show is, in general, only presented to groups of at least 15 people. Special requests may be honored. For more information and reservations, either call Ms. Jackie Diehl (575) 434-7003, or fill out and submit a tour request form. Educational groups will remain free of charge.
TIP: To get everyone excited visit the Observatories web site and take their virtual tour www.sunspot.noao.edu/ before leaving home.
Space Log: 6 hours
Now, if you are hungry or just want to see a little more of New Mexico you can cruise into Cloudcroft where several restaurants and other services are available to intrepid extra-planetary explorers such as yourselves, or you can take a leisurely trek back to home base “Ruidoso” where you can dock with the mother ship satisfied that you have successfully completed another mission.
Space Log: 8 Hours
by Chuck Duncan
