NOTICE: The Dunn Solar Telescope and the Sunspot Visitor Center will be closed for necessary repairs until further notice.
On the morning of January 5th, two NMSU staff members inside the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) observed liquid mercury on the platform. Proper safety protocols were implemented immediately to ensure the safety of both on-site personnel. The DST, the surrounding observatory building, and visitor center will remain closed until further notice while appropriate remediation measures are implemented. There is no immediate concern for public or environmental safety, and the proper authorities have been notified.
The Sunspot Astronomy & Visitor Center
Your starting point to learning about everything you can see and do at the Observatory!
Plan Your Visit
The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during our peak season. During our off-season, the Visitor Center and observatory grounds close early. Please call ahead to verify business hours. Visitors should be aware that we may close the Observatory to the public due to weather or other unforeseen conditions without advance notice.
Step inside our last actively used telescope - The Dunn Solar Telescope! Visitors will be given a tour of the observing room where we will share how the telescope works and why it is truly a one-of-a-kind structure.
The tour schedule is as follows:
- Weekdays: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between Noon to 2 pm.
- Weekend Tours: 1st weekend of every month (Saturday & Sunday) between Noon to 2 pm.
Disclaimer: We do not guarantee observations will be conducted at the time of your tour. Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
Sunspot Solar Observatory is located at an elevation of 9200 ft, so it is a good idea to pace yourself and stay hydrated if you are not accustomed to high elevations. Water is available in our visitor center, and benches are placed around the grounds if you need to take a rest.
The weather in Sunspot varies with the seasons and temperatures are typically 20-30 degrees cooler than in Alamogordo. Dress appropriately and bring layers of clothing.
While all pathways are paved and wheelchair accessible, our facilities require a moderate amount of standing and walking, sometimes on slight inclines. It is a good idea to wear comfortable walking shoes during your visit.
Cell phone service in our area is spotty to nonexistent with significant dead zones between Cloudcroft and Sunspot. Make sure to download driving directions. The Visitor Center does not provide public WiFi service in our facilities.
Fire is an enormous danger to life and property on this mountain. All smoking is prohibited while at Sunspot Solar Observatory, both indoors and outdoors.
There is no gas station or restaurant at the observatory. Be sure to have a full tank of gas in your vehicle and bring a lunch/snack to enjoy on one of our picnic tables during your visit. There are snacks and drinks for sale in the Visitor Center during regular hours of operation.
There is no overnight parking or camping on Observatory property.
Please be on the alert for roaming wildlife and livestock both while driving and during your visit. Cattle range freely around NM 130 & NM 6563 and may cross the road in front of you. Rocks sometimes fall from mountain sides and can cause damage to your car.
Please be alert at all times and drive at or slower than the posted speed limit.
Please note: If you are following directions from Google Maps, Apple Maps, GPS, etc., you may be directed to turn right from US 82 onto Karr Canyon Road. DO NOT DO THIS. Karr Canyon Road is an unmaintained, and sometimes impassable (due to fallen trees) dirt road. You SHOULD NOT drive on dirt to reach our site. There is a paved road the entire way.
There is no gas station or restaurant at the observatory. Be sure to have a full tank of gas in your vehicle and bring a lunch/snack to enjoy on one of our picnic tables during your visit. There are snacks and drinks for sale in the Visitor Center during regular hours of operation.
There is no overnight parking or camping on Observatory property.
Walking Audio Tour
Before you set out to discover Sunspot Solar Observatory, we recommend downloading our walking audio tour. You will love walking our grounds at your own pace while hearing the narrator highlight points of interest along the way! Our audio tour makes it much easier to immerse yourself in Sunspot's rich history.
Start by downloading the VoiceMap App. Enter the phrase “Sunspot Solar Observatory” and download the guide. The Sunspot audio tour is a walking route that allows you the freedom to explore the observatory at your own pace. You can start and stop whenever and wherever you like, for as long as you like. The App uses your GPS location to play audio automatically at exactly the right time and place, and it works offline.
We offer many educational programs, including tours of DST on the first weekend of every month.
