Contest is open to people of all ages. All participants must register to be entered into the contest. Entrants must be present at the Magdalena Ridge site the dates of the contest, October 10 and 11, 2012.  If weather does not permit observations on the dates mentioned, participants will be allowed to submit astrophotography images they have taken previously. Images must be submitted via the submission form provided on this page by October 12, 12:00P.M. MST. Each contestant is allowed one image submission per category. An entry fee of $10 is required to register for the contest. If the participant is already registered for ESSP, then the $10 fee is waved.  There will be 2nd and 3rd place winners and 1 grand prize winner. Winner announcements will be made on October 12, 8:20P.M. MST after the ESSP keynote lecture in Workman Building, Room 101 at the New Mexico Tech campus. Contestants are not required to be present and will be notified via e-mail.

Photographers retain all rights to their work, however entrants grant Magdalena Ridge Observatory, New Mexico Tech, and Enchanted Skies Star Party the right to use their images for promotion, exhibition, and all other forms of publication.

Magdalena Ridge Observatory employees and Enchanted Skies Star Party organizers are not eligible and may not participate in this contest.

Registration is now closed.

Image submission is now closed.

• Grand prize: Winner’s photograph will be featured in the Astronomy Magazine, receive one week of free stay at Rancho Hidalgo for two ($1000 value) and a $500 gift certificate to Starizona.
• 2nd place prize: Winner will receive a $250  gift certificate to Starizona.
• 3rd place prize: Winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Starizona.

• Annette Tombaugh-Sitze
• Bill Sitze

• This is a camping style event; all participants are expected to bring their own gear.
• With the exception of the BBQ on the first evening, everyone is expected to bring their own food.  Limited snacks, coffee, and tea will be available.
• Tap water that is safe for drinking will be available; participants should their own containers for water.
• Bathrooms are available.
• A fully stocked kitchen (dishes, utensils, stove, etc.) is available for participants to use.  Participants will be expected to use common courtesy in the kitchen, e.g. clean up after themselves.
• A pre-made fire pit is available at a camping site just below the gate.
• Weather on the mountain is quite a bit cooler than in Socorro, and especially colder at nights.  Please be prepared.
• Please use red flashlights when additional light is needed.
• Please be aware of all the posted Safety Rules.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

• The mountain road speed limit is 15 mph.
• The caravan will leave from NMT Etscorn Campus Observatory at 3:30PM.  You are welcome to drive up on your own, however please be aware that the gate at the top of the mountain will not be open until the caravan arrives at the gate.
• The gate will close at sunset, roughly 6:40PM.  No vehicles will be allowed past the gate after it has closed except at the designated times or in the case of a medical emergency.  Refer to the schedule for the designated times.
• Always carry extra drinking water, even on the drive up and down the mountain.
• Be prepared with a full tank of gas; there are no gas stations on the mountain.
• Driving Safety:
  • Leave at least 5 car lengths between vehicles.
  • Rule of thumb:  do not go down a mountain faster than you can go up it.  The speed limit is 15 mph.
  • If someone approaches from the opposite direction the going uphill has the right of way.  Pay attention to wide spots in the road and use them to pull over if needed.  If there is no place for you to pull over, stop to allow the other vehicle time to do so.  Occasionally a vehicle may have to back up; back up slowly.
  • When driving downhill, avoid riding your brakes; instead use a low gear (D1 or D2).

• Please be aware of the fire restrictions posted by the Forest Service and Magdalena Ranger.
• Altitude Safety:
  • Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) has been known to occur at 8000 feet and above (the observatory is at an altitude of 10,600 feet)
  • AMS can affect anyone; physical condition does not matter.
  • Severe cases include pulmonary and cerebral edema.  These symptoms are very rare but can result in death.
  • Symptoms:  lethargy, shortness of breath, headache, blank stare, you “just don’t feel right”, confusion, memory loss, or you cannot perform simple tasks.
  • What to do?  If you notice signs of AMS in yourself or someone else, then find assistance as soon as possible (an event volunteer will be on site); first aid supplies (including oxygen) are available in the BCF.  Once the person is stable, get off the mountain as soon as possible and head to an ER.
  • Tips:  Use the “Buddy System”; find a partner and check on each other at least a couple of times an hour.  Know and recognize the people that can provide medical assistance and can drive you down the mountain if needed.
• General Safety
  • Watch your step; the terrain on the mountain is naturally uneven, and ongoing construction presents potential hazards.
  • No running, pushing, etc. Please be respectful to others.
  • Please remain in the designated areas and away from out-of-bound areas inside and outside the building.  Do not wander off to unknown areas and keep track of everyone in your party, especially the children.
  • Drink a lot of water.  Potable tap water will be available on site.