Chimney Rock Archaeological Area September 22

September Special Events

at Chimney Rock Archaeological Area 

There is still time to enjoy Chimney Rock this year. The 2010 Chimney Rock Archaeological Area tour season ends at the close of day on Thursday, September 30. But wait….there’s more! 

You have one more chance to watch the night sky at Chimney Rock! September’s Night Sky Archaeostronomy Program is Friday, September 3rd. This night is the opposite of full moons, since the dark sky is ideal for looking closer at the rest of our solar system. This program includes a one-hour astronomy lecture at the cabin and provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the visible celestial objects. Following a lecture on naked-eye astronomy of the Ancestral Puebloans, and the solar system and universe, participants will drive to the upper parking lot of the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area for approximately 1.5 hours of night-sky viewing. Telescopes will be available to assist with viewing. The gate will open for the Night Sky Program at 5:00pm; the opening program is scheduled from 6:00pm to 7:00pm; with viewing from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. The upper parking area is paved and wheelchair accessible with restroom facilities. Reservations are suggested as space is limited; $10 for adults and $5 for children 11 years and younger. 

Wednesday, September 22, is the first day of fall. Start the day at Chimney Rock’s Autunmal Equinox Sunrise Program. This is the day that the sun crosses the equator and spends an equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on earth. This 2 to 3 hour event begins at the Sun Tower (a place not visited on our regular tours) and concludes at the Stone Basin, providing two viewing locations. The gate will be open from 6:00 to 6:05 am. Sunrise is at approximately 6:56 am. Tickets are $15.00 and reservations are required. 

September’s full moon is maybe the best known–the harvest moon. On Thursday, September 23rd watch the Full Harvest Moon rise at the Great House Pueblo site, learn about the Ancestral Puebloans, archaeoastronomy theories, area geology and enjoy Native American flute melodies by Charles Martinez. Gates open from 4:30pm to 5:15pm. Program begins at 6:00pm. Moon rise is at approximately 6:55pm. This moon rise will not occur between the twin spires. Allow approximately 2 to 3 hours for the entire program, which is not recommended for children under 12.  Tickets are $15 and reservations are required. Add $5 for an early tour of the lower area (Great Kiva Trail Loop), which starts at 4:30pm. 

Participants in night-time programs are advised to come prepared with binoculars, water (which is also for sale at the cabin), flashlights, blankets and coats. Tickets for all programs are available by calling the Visitor Cabin at 970-883-5359, from 9 am to 4 pm daily. For more information please visit our website at www.chimneyrockco.org .

Posted by normvance on Aug 30 2010. Filed under Activities & Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.