Star gazing
Night Sky adds Galileo’s historical perspective

The lights were off but the stars were out for all to see for Night Sky hosted by the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center in Grants on Saturday. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Adron Gardner

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Folks from Grants and surrounding areas turned out in spite of the cold mountain night to see the sky as Galileo Galilei saw it in 1609 — but with better telescopes — for the Galilean Nights event Saturday.

The Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center holds Night Sky events several times a year for local astronomy buffs and the “astronomy curious,” but the Oct. 24 event was a special viewing. The center joined clubs, schools and science centers around the world taking part in Galilean Nights to bring astronomy to the public for a three-day recognition of the famous astronomer.

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