Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing at El Malpais?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through StarCast's scoring model, which factors in cloud cover, moon illumination, Bortle class, humidity, and atmospheric transparency. Above 70 is an excellent night. Below 40, conditions are poor. The score updates daily.
What makes El Malpais good for astrophotography?
El Malpais National Monument protects a vast lava field in western New Mexico, with flows as recent as 3,000 years old. The black basalt landscape is stark and elemental under the Milky Way, and the contrast between the dark volcanic rock and the star-filled sky is one of the more dramatic compositions available in the Southwest. New Mexico's dry climate and high elevation keep skies transparent most of the year. La Ventana Natural Arch is the signature foreground: a large sandstone arch on the monument's eastern edge that frames a clean southern horizon. The area is far enough from Albuquerque that light domes are minimal.
When is the Milky Way visible at El Malpais?
The galactic core is visible from March through October. New Mexico's monsoon season runs July through September and brings afternoon and evening thunderstorms, but they often clear by late night and leave behind exceptional transparency. Spring and fall are the most reliable windows. The monument has minimal infrastructure, so bring everything you need for an overnight shoot.
