#space-history

#space-history

See the night sky through a telescope. There are about a dozen observatories scattered throughout New Mexico, so witnessing the stars, planets, and galaxies through a high-powered telescope is a must. The state's low levels of light pollution and vast open spaces make it perfect for stargazing. Attend a free open house viewing session at The University of New Mexico Campus Observatory in Albuquerque or The Tombaugh Campus Observatory at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, to use a wide variety of telescopes.

I was a bit uncertain as to what to exactly expect. Surely the spectacular actual spaceships that were on display before would not be binned? They have not! With a few relatively small tweaks, features the same items as Exploring Space did when it closed. But it's also worth pointing out that Exploring Space changed considerably over its lifespan, with items like Tim Peake's space capsule and a spacesuit belonging to the first Brit in space, Helen Sharman, being added way after its 1986 opening.

Back in 1957, something spectacular happened that would change the world forever: the first human-created satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into space. Orbiting our planet in low-Earth orbit, its unique signatures could be seen across the world. Unlike the stars, planets, or meteors that illuminated the night sky, this artificial satellite would glow with the reflected light of the Sun, streaking across the skies overhead whenever it passed within a couple of hundred kilometers of an observer's location.