iOPTRON - Astronomy Technology Today

NEW MEXICO SKIES ASTRONOMY ENCLAVE
ices, just that they are readily available if occasion
requires.
A Sense of Community
While on the subject of the astronomy experts
within the Astronomy Enclave, I’m compelled
to note that being among such a group
is a singular experience. I have many cherished
astronomy friends back home, but none for
whom astronomy is as central to their existences.
Those who choose to invest in the Astronomy
Enclave are, by evidence of that very
act, people to whom astronomy is a defining
passion. What do we know about those who
are attracted to astronomy? What innate personality
traits are most consistent with that interest?
Focus, curiosity, whimsy, generosity,
intelligence, courtesy, humor, dedication, competence,
these are the predictable traits of the
people who would be your neighbors there.
Cloudy Skies and Other
Disasters
Being from the gulf-coast region, I’m
enured to hurricanes, tornadoes, lightening,
rain, floods and related disasters. Other regions
of the country have hardened themselves to the
threats of earth quakes and tsunamis. The Astronomy
Enclave is visited by none of these,
other than the occasional rain and lightening
flash during the mini-monsoon season (July to
September). But it is home to wildfire concerns,
as is the entire southwest U.S., and for
those it is well prepared.
Indeed, among the features that most impressed
me was its degree of fire preparedness.
Although the threat is, as most such threats are,
remote, Tom and Marla have taken it quite seriously
– after all, they live there, too. A deep
well is dedicated to fire control along with a
substantial water reserve. A high-pressure,
high-volume supply of water (over 500 gallons
per minute) is, therefore, constantly available
to each home for fire control, and is so reliable
and of such capacity that the local fire district
has asked permission to call upon it when its
own resources were stretched past safe limits.
But fire prevention and control go even
further at the Astronomy Enclave. Every home
in the development is equipped with a ready
supply of the bulk materials required for immediate
deployment of a fire-retardant gel
(Barricade Fire Gel is the brand name) –
enough of the stuff to cover each home and related
buildings and observatories. Tom
demonstrated the gel while we were there, and
its properties are simply amazing. Residents
hope to never need these resources, but are all
thankful they are available should wildfire
threaten their community.
Honey, Why’s My Index
Finger Numb?
Some consider their places in the Astronomy
Enclave as their second homes, some fortunate
souls live there full time. For those of
my age group whose life planning includes
such factors as proximity to emergency medical
care, Cloudcroft and Alamogordo are just
minutes away. So, if your daily activities include
Googling the symptoms of heart attacks
and such, rest assured that the residents of the
Astronomy Enclave are well covered.
Cloudcroft is home to the Sacramento
Mountain Medical Facility, a comprehensive
family-care center, while Alamogordo, given
its status as home to Holloman Air Force Base
and the adjacent White Sands Test Facility, offers
all medical services attendant to such areas,
including the Gerald Champion Regional
Medical Center. Plus, El Paso, just 100 miles
away as the medivac helicopter flies, offers all
medical services you would associate with a
major metropolitan area.
Did I Forget Anything?
Let’s see, I’ve talked about the people, the
climate, the scenery, the infrastructure and services
– what have I missed? Oh, yeah, the skies.
It was already dark when Rachel and I
drove through Cloudcroft in route to the Astronomy
Enclave, so we pulled off of US 82
70 Astronomy TECHNOLOGY TODAY