Astronomy Acres Remote Observatories ( AARO ) is located in the “Boot Heel” of New Mexico in Hidalgo County
As of 2020, the 3,446 square miles of Hidalgo is home to 4,178 residents. With that kind of population density (1.2/sq mi) it’s easy to see how we keep it dark around here. We are located in a dark sky community with rules about outdoor lighting in attempts to keep light pollution at bay. The sparse population, low humidity, dark sky conservation efforts, and an average of 260 clear nights a year makes southwest New Mexico the PERFECT place for your astronomy gear.
New Mexico Highway 80 leads north 30 miles (48 km) to Interstate 10 at Road Forks and southwest 2 miles (3 km) to the state line, continuing as Arizona State Route 80 southwest another 48 miles (77 km) to Douglas, Arizona. Lordsburg, the Hidalgo County seat, is 47 miles (76 km) to the northeast via Highway 80 and I-10.
Airports
- Tucson International Airport (Arizona) is 160 miles / 257 km to the West
- El Paso International Airport (Texas) is 177 miles / 285 km to the East
Lodging
If you are coming to AARO to install your kit, you’ll need lodging. We are not yet equipped to host, however there are great options nearby.
- Rusty’s RV Ranch has large pull thru full hook-up RV spaces as well as cabins to rent.
- Valley Vista Getaway has a cabin and/or RV space for rent.
Groceries
There are a few small stores in the area where you can buy a few food items and other sundries.
- Valley Mercantile has mostly snack items and beverages.
- Sky Islands Grill & Grocery also has minimal grocery items.
- The closest stand alone grocery store is Saucedo’s Supermarket in Lordsburg.
ATMs / Banking
- ATM: Valley Mercantile in Animas
- ATM: Sky Islands Grill & Grocery
- ATM and Bank: Western Bank in Lordsburg, NM.
Cellular Coverage
- AT&T has the best coverage in the area
- T-Mobile and Verizon get spotty shortly after you get off of I-10 at Road Forks and have practically no coverage at AARO.
Fuel
- Shady Grove Truck Stop – 24/7 pumps at I-10 and NM-80 ( called Road Forks ).
- Valley Mercantile in Animas, NM
Medical
- Hidalgo Medical Services has a clinic in Animas and Lordsburg, NM.
- Walker Family Medicine has a clinic in Portal, Arizona.
Time Zones:
- New Mexico is in the US Mountain Time Zone and does observe Daylight Savings Time.
- Arizona is in the US Mountain Standard Time Zone and does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
This means that from the 2nd Sunday in March, to the 1st Sunday in November, Arizona is one hour BEHIND the time in New Mexico.
