The Government of the State of Guerrero has announced that on the night of Saturday, January 31st there will be a special events taking place both at the historical Fort of San Diego in Acapulco and at the Pezuapan Archaeological Zone in the state capital, Chilpancingo in commemoration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (see http://www.astronomy2009.org/). Both of these historical sites in the state of Guerrero have been fitted with telescopes that will allow tourists and visitors to enjoy a spectacular night of star gazing.
El Fuerte de San Diego
Use of the telescopes at the Fort of San Diego in Acapulco on that night will be at no charge, and they will be available to the public starting at 7 p.m. An astronomer from Mexico’s National University (UNAM) will be presenting a talk about the International Year of Astronomy during the course of the evening.
El Fuerte de San Diego (Fort of San Diego) is located at Calle Hornitos s/n, Centro, Acapulco 39300. Tel: (744) 482-3828, and 482.1114. It is Acapulco’s most important historical structures and in fact is constructed in the shape of a five-pointed star. It houses the Museo Historico de Acapulco (Acapulco Historical Museum) which offers 13 exhibition rooms with articles and artifacts documenting the history of Acapulco through the course of the precolumbian and colonial eras.
The Historical Museum is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Entrance fee from Tuesday through Saturday is $30 pesos/person. On Sundays admittance is free to the public.
Chilpancingo’s Pezuapan Ruins
At Chilpancingo’s Pezuapan ruins, located in Colonia Indeco, more telescopes will be placed from which visitors will be able to easily discern many of the planets and constellations on this special night.
The Pezuapan Archaeological Zone holds remnants of a large settlement that is believed to have reached its height between 800 and 1100 A.D. Visible are parts of the base of a pyramid with a footprint measuring approximately 50 meters each side, rising to a height of of 12 meters.. The architecture indicates it was part of the Mezcala culture with posterior influence by the Toltecs. Unfortunately, only a small area of the original site has been saved from the incursion of the urban growth of modern-day Chilpancingo.
- Learn Spanish on-line for free, using interactive audio/visual lessons.