Chaco Culture National Historical Park. (Southwestern).
In 1993 the Chaco Culture National Historical Park Chaco Culture National Historical Park: see National Parks and Monuments (table).
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
National preserve, northwestern New Mexico, U.S. (N.M.) designated the night sky as a critical resource to be protected. For thousands of years, native Americans in the region had used celestial observations A celestial observation is the measurement of the angular distance of a celestial body from the observer to the horizon, usually with a sextant. See also
to plan ceremonies and planting, but encroaching urban centers were shedding too much light. Since then, all park lighting has been retrofitted to reduce light pollution and enhance night sky viewing. In 1997, a partnership with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society There are numerous groups devoted to promoting astronomy research and education. See, for example: - Ayrshire Astronomical Society, from Ayrshire, Scotland
- Manchester Astronomical Society
- Astronomical League, an umbrella organization of U.S. amateur astronomy societies.
attracted astronomer John Selfick to donate a domed observatory observatory, scientific facility especially equipped to detect and record naturally occurring scientific phenomena. Although geological and meteorological observatories exist, the term is generally applied to astronomical observatories. and equipment to the park. Chaco's Night Sky Program is now a successful volunteer project that involves more than 13,000 park visitors a year.
COPYRIGHT 2002 National Recreation and Park Association
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
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