Observatories are home to some of the biggest and most impressive telescopes in the world. As many amateur astronomers know, there are numerous ways to experience the night sky beyond looking through a telescope in your own backyard. New Mexico has impressive observatories that offer a wide variety of star parties, tours, and observatory programs that will expand your knowledge of astronomy and your love of the night sky, whether you are new to astronomy or have been in the hobby for years.
For your convenience, we have compiled an alphabetical list of observatories in New Mexico that offer programs for the public.
Disclaimer: This information was collected from the observatories’ websites in May 2026. Some information may be subject to change if the websites are updated. If interested in visiting one of the listed observatories, please contact the observatory for the latest information before you visit.
Apache Point Observatory
Located in the Sacramento Mountains of Southern New Mexico near the communities of Alamogordo and Cloudcroft, the Apache Point Observatory sits at an elevation of 9200 feet above sea level. The observatory is owned by the Astrophysical Research Consortium (ARC), a nonprofit educational and research corporation comprised of nine universities.
Telescopes
The observatory is home to many research-grade telescopes: The ARC 3.5 meter Telescope, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) IV, the New Mexico State University 1 meter Telescope, and the 0.5 meter ARC Small Aperture Telescope.
Visiting
The grounds of the Apache Point Observatory are open to the public during daylight hours only. It is not currently possible to visit inside the buildings, however, the observatory occasionally offers site open houses for the public.
Image Credit: Dan Long
Long Wavelength Array
The Long Wavelength Array (LWA) is an observatory designed to be a resource for those interested in the advancement of astronomy through inexpensive antenna stations that probe the depths of space with the lowest frequencies. The LWA’s office is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Telescopes
The LWA is a low-frequency radio telescope designed to produce high-sensitivity and high resolution images in the frequency range of 10 to 88MHz.
Visiting
The LWA Project encourages its members to find ways to share their work with the general public. Tours of the First Station of the LWA are offered to various groups throughout the year and resident tours are also given at various times of the year. For those interested in learning more about public outreach programs, the observatory can be contacted here.
Image Credit: Long Wavelength Array
Tombaugh Observatory
The Tombaugh Observatory is New Mexico State University’s teaching and public outreach facility on campus. The observatory is operated by the Department of Astronomy and is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Telescopes
The observatory’s telescopes include two Celestron 11″ CPC1100 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, a 16″ Meade Starfinder Dobsonian telescope, various smaller telescopes, and a telescope custom-built by Clyde Tombaugh and operated by the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces.
Visiting
The Tombaugh Observatory hosts Open House events during the school year that are open to the general public. The schedule for these events can be found here.
Image Credit: New Mexico State University
University of New Mexico Observatory
The University of New Mexico Observatory is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The observatory is maintained by the Department of Physics of Astronomy. It is dedicated to public service and introducing the public to the wonders of the night sky.
Telescope
The observatory is home to a 14" Celestron Edge HD telescope.
Visiting
The UNM campus observatory is open, free, to the public every clear Friday during the Fall and Spring semesters (the exception of Thanksgiving, Fall, and Spring breaks). The observatory is closed in the summer. The hours begin at 7pm and end at 9pm. Groups of fifteen or more should call (505) 277-4492 at least two weeks in advance to make reservations.
Image Credit: University of New Mexico
Very Large Array
The Very Large Array is one of the world’s best astronomical radio observatories. It is located on the plains of San Agustin, just fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. The array is operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Telescopes
The Very Large Array consists of twenty-seven radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration.
Visiting
The facility is open every day from 9am to 4pm for an admission fee. The observatory also has a walking tour and guided tours are hosted when available. More information can be found here.
Image Credit: Bettymaya Foott, NRAO/AUI/NSF
Interested in finding an observatory or planetarium in your state? Check out our Astronomy Hub!
