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	Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Lightscape / Night Sky

A photo of various layer of colored clouds visable over the monument near nightfall.

NPS Photo by Barry Nielsen

Fire in the sky.

The nearest town of more than a few thousand people is Silver City, forty-two miles away. Other than that, the community of Gila Hot Springs (population about 30) lies about 3-4 miles away and Mimbres (population of a few hundred hidden in a nearby valley) lies about thirty miles away. There are only a few buildings clustered together in the staff residential area behind the Visitor Center and no street lights either in the visitor center parking lot or in the residential area. Therefore there is no noticeable light pollution to interfere with stargazing. Nights, other than during the rainy months, can be crystal clear with clear views of the Milky Way, constellations, and meteor showers.


			Did You Know? The first Fort Davis served as a temporary refuge for thousands of emigrants, freighters, and travelers during the decade preceding the Civil War. Its soldiers provided protection for the U.S. Mail and they saw the establishment of a number of stage stations and military posts in the region.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:23 EST