Charles Ross Spent 50 Years Building Star Axis, a Naked-Eye Observatory
Charles Ross spent 50 yrs building Star Axis naked-eye observatory in New Mexico
After half a century of solitary work in New Mexico, I have completed Star Axis, a monumental naked-eye observatory designed to align with the cosmos. Now that this masterwork is ready, I face the challenge of sharing this profound connection to the universe with a world that has changed dramatically since I began.
Charles Ross spent 50 years building Star Axis, a naked-eye observatory in New Mexico. Now his masterwork is ready. How to share it with a changed world?
- xtiansimon
On a personal note I used to love stargazing in the mountains of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains as a child. Sort of lost some of the magic when I started needing to wear prescription eyeglasses.
- ilamont
Unfortunately, the article says that you basically need to be rich in order to experience this work of art: “Today, donors can pay a thousand dollars or more to visit with a small group, or sponsor a stair for six figures.”
It sounds like there may be liability issues as well for people visiting in the dark. The article mentioned the state legislature of New Mexico evaluated a plan to purchase it, but abandoned it.
- cratermoon
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ reports the area rates a 2 "average dark sky" on the Bortle scale, just short of an "excellent" score of 1. It's location halfway between Santa Rosa and Las Vegas, New Mexico is as far from populated areas as you might think.