Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing at Elephant Butte?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through StarCast's scoring model, factoring 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 Elephant Butte good for astrophotography?
Elephant Butte Reservoir is New Mexico's largest body of water, sitting in an arid basin at 4,400 feet surrounded by desert mountains. The reservoir's expanse creates strong reflections of the night sky on calm nights, and the rock formations along the shoreline, including the namesake elephant-shaped butte, give photographers textured foreground options. Truth or Consequences, the nearest town, is small enough that it produces only a modest light dome to the south. The surrounding Black Range and Fra Cristobal Range shield the site from distant city light.
When is the Milky Way visible at Elephant Butte?
The galactic core is visible from March through October. Southern New Mexico has among the longest and most reliable Milky Way seasons in the country. The core rises high in the south by late spring and transits overhead in summer, which is ideal for shooting above the open water. Winds can be strong on the reservoir, but calm nights from May through September are common and worth waiting for.
