Chasing Stars in the City Lights with Jessica Dowell

How does an observatory thrive amidst urban lights?

Charting the Course

Explore the challenges and triumphs of the University of New Mexico Observatory, nestled in the heart of Albuquerque. Observatory Director Jessica Dowell and her husband, Jayce Dowell discuss the observatory's history, outreach efforts, and the quest for a darker sky site.

"The goal is to give them the experience I had as an undergrad, which inspired me to be an astronomer." - Jessica Dowell

Waypoints

00:02:53 - The Ritual: Sharing a Drink

00:11:08 - Challenges of Light Pollution and City Expansion

00:22:20 - Visual Astronomy and Public Outreach

00:31:04 - Dreams for the Observatory

00:38:00 - Public Reactions to Observing Nights

00:45:30 - Optical Telescopes and Research Instruments

00:52:00 - Historical Context and Future Plans

Currents

• The observatory's 72-year-old building faces encroaching city lights and infrastructure.
• Friday night open houses engage the public and students with telescopes and starry skies.
• Efforts to restore a 26-inch telescope for research and educational purposes.
• Balancing accessibility and research goals in a changing urban landscape.
• The importance of community outreach and fundraising for the observatory's future.

Where the River Took Us

• Encroaching city lights
• Public outreach and education
• Restoration of old telescopes
• Dark sky sites
• ADA accessibility
• Radio astronomy vs. optical astronomy

Links

• University of New Mexico Observatory
• Albuquerque Astronomical Society
• Long Wavelength Array
• Dark Sky International

Join the Current

So visit the University of New Mexico Observatory's website, grab your drink for The Ritual, and join us as we take a trip down Jessica and Jayce Dowell's tributary of the Star River!