PEEC NEWS RELEASE

Discover how the Ancestral Puebloans of northern New Mexico observed the skies and incorporated astronomical knowledge into their architecture during Getting Oriented with Chaco Canyon, a special planetarium program with the Pajarito Environmental Education Center on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Los Alamos Nature Center.

Led by Greg Salvesen, an astronomer at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the program will explore the connections between the Sun, Moon and the remarkable architectural complexes of Chaco Canyon, a major cultural center in northwestern New Mexico from approximately A.D. 900 to 1150.

Inside the planetarium, participants will observe the Sun’s changing positions along the horizon throughout the year and compare that pattern with the Moon’s monthly cycle. The program will also examine the Moon’s more subtle 18.6-year horizon cycle, offering a deeper look at the celestial patterns that can be observed over time.

About the Presenter
Greg Salvesen is an astronomer at Los Alamos National Laboratory who enjoys sharing evidence of the Ancestral Puebloans’ astronomical knowledge and its expression through the architecture of Chaco Canyon. His presentation draws on research published by the Solstice Project, which documents astronomical alignments at Chaco and related sites.

Event Details
● What: Getting Oriented with Chaco Canyon
● When: Friday, October 23, 2026, 7 to 8 p.m. Mountain Time
● Where: Los Alamos Nature Center, 2600 Canyon Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
● Admission: $8 for adults; $6 for children; $20 for families
Planetarium programs are not recommended for children under age 4.

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