South-West astronomy community
The 42nd Annual New Mexico Symposium, followed by the 61st Annual Karl G. Jansky Lecture.
Registration deadline: November 1, 2026.
Dark skies and remote sites have attracted world-class astronomical facilities to the Southwest, supporting a wide range of research since the mid-1900s. The region has been at the forefront of advances in science and technology—from optical and radio interferometry to discoveries in solar physics, planetary science, and the formation and evolution of stars, galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the universe itself. The next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) and High Resolution Subarray (HRS) will further expand the Southwest's role as a hub for astronomical discovery and innovation.
To strengthen this regional research network and encourage interdisciplinary exchange, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) will sponsor the 42nd Annual New Mexico Symposium on Friday, November 20, 2026.
The Symposium will be held in person on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the NRAO Pete V. Domenici Science Operations Center in Socorro, New Mexico.
The event will include scientific talks and poster presentations. The detailed schedule will be published after submissions are reviewed.
Registration will close on November 1, 2026.
NRAO will host an evening dinner for officially registered symposium participants before the Jansky Lecture. Please indicate whether you plan to attend the dinner when completing registration. Final dinner time and location will be confirmed closer to the event.
Following the Symposium and evening dinner, NRAO will host the 61st Annual Karl G. Jansky Lecture, presented by Dr. John Carlstrom of the University of Chicago. Dr. Carlstrom will speak at 7:00 PM MT on Friday, November 20, 2026, at New Mexico Tech, Workman 101. This event is free and open to all.
Lecture title: "What Do We Know About The Big Bang?"
The complete program, including talk titles and poster presentations, will be published later.
The participant list will be published later.
Below is a list of restaurants in Socorro. If you choose lunch outside the New Mexico Tech campus, please allow at least 1.5 hours. Restaurant hours and availability can change, so participants should verify them before visiting.
105 Bullock Ave, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Fri: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sat–Sun: 7:00 AM–2:00 PM
913 N California St, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Fri: 11:00 AM–8:30 PM
Sat–Sun: Closed
707 N California St, Socorro, NM 87801
Wed–Sun: 6:00 AM–9:00 PM
Mon–Tue: Closed
118 Manzanares Ave, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Sat–Sun: Closed
1012 N California St, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Fri: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sat–Sun: Closed
1123 NW Frontage Rd, Socorro, NM 87801
Tue–Sat: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sun–Mon: Closed
602 S Hwy 85, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Sat: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
1 Canyon Rd, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Thu: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Fri–Sun: 8:00 AM–7:00 PM
Joseph A. Fidel Center, New Mexico Tech campus, Socorro, NM 87801
Mon–Fri: 7:30 AM–5:00 PM
Sat–Sun: Closed
The New Mexico Symposium is committed to providing a professional, welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for every participant, regardless of identity, background, institutional affiliation, career stage, or ability.
Participants are expected to communicate respectfully, follow event and venue instructions, and refrain from harassment, intimidation, discrimination, personal attacks, or disruptive behavior. This standard applies to talks, poster sessions, meals, social activities, and all event-related communications.
If you experience or witness conduct that is inconsistent with these expectations, please contact a member of the Local Organizing Committee or email nmsymp-loc@nrao.edu. Reports will be handled as promptly and discreetly as circumstances permit.
Phone: 1-575-835-7000
Feel free to contact nmsymp-loc@nrao.edu for any inquiries.
Viral Parekh
vparekh@nrao.edu
Viral Parekh
Lori Appel
lappel@nrao.edu
575-835-7300
