Pictures from Alumni trip to Arizona and New Mexico
for Archaeoastronomy and Stargazing; Summer, 1994
Joel Weisberg
Carleton College Department of Physics and Astronomy

Janet and I led a wonderful group of Carleton Alums on a camping trip through the Southwest. Our main destinations were the sites of Native American life and the night sky. Our two main terrestrial destinations were Chaco Canyon, NM, which was occupied by the Anasazi about a thousand years ago, and Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, a more recent Dine (Navajo) dwelling place. Each clear night, we set up telescopes and also did naked eye observing. Unfortunately most nights were cloudy, including the night of the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Nevertheless, it was a deeply enjoyable experience for all.

Members of the group in Chaco Canyon, NM.

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The ruins at Chaco Canyon are deeply inspirational. In addition, some of them have astronomical connections . . .

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Panoramic view of Pueblo Bonito, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico


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Joel at the Great Kiva, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico


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A pictograph at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, which may depict
the supernova explosion creating the Crab Nebula, July 4, 1054 AD

Canyon de Chelly is a wildly beautiful Canyon which is still occupied by Dine people. Along the cliffs are remarkable dwellings of their ancestors. Pictographs abound, including some with astronomical themes. We were fortunate to camp at the bottom and spend several days there, which is a great rarity for non-natives.

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Star Ceiling Pictograph, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona


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Chris D. celebrates his birthday from the floor of Canyon de Chelly, AZ

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Last updated on July 27, 2005