For decades researchers around the world have studied ancient sites and structures to help us learn more about the significance they held for our ancestors. A variety of building styles have been documented based upon readily available materials and climate. Many buildings served practical needs like shelter and food storage.

Archaeologists and anthropologists also have documented many ceremonial structures. Some like the Egyptian and Mayan pyramids or Stonehenge are better known than others. Well known or not, many ancient buildings feature alignments based upon the movement of the sun, moon and stars.

Here in New Mexico, we are fortunate to have ancient sites like Chaco Canyon to visit and explore. But there is another special place right here in our backyard that I just learned about called the Star Axis.

Located just outside Anton Chico, the Star Axis is described by artist-builder, Charles Ross, as "an architectonic earth/star sculpture constructed with the geometry of the stars; earth-to-star alignments built to human scale. It offers an intimate experience of how the earth's environment extends into the space of the stars."

First conceived in 1971, the Star Axis has been under construction for more than 30 years. When complete, it will feature a pyramid 11 stories high and span an area covering one-tenth of a mile.

On Aug. 7, the local nonprofit Kitchen Angels is hosting a trip out to the Star Axis as one of its Explore New Mexico fundraisers. According to Kitchen Angels, the visit to the Star Axis will allow participants to track the movement of the sun in the Solar Pyramid, witness Earth's rotation in the Hour Chamber and walk through 26,000 years of shifting celestial time in the Star Tunnel. Ross will share unique insights into the multi-dimensionality of our planetary environment in relation to the stars. This adventure includes a tasty meal on the veranda of neighboring Apache Mesa Ranch.

Be sure to mark your calendar and join Kitchen Angels for day that will both enhance your knowledge of our place among the stars and help raise funds for 600 home-delivered meals. Kitchen Angels serves home-bound members of our community experiencing a medical or health crisis due to disease, accident, surgery or hospitalization. For more details about the Star Axis adventure and to reserve your spot, call Kitchen Angels at 505-471-7780 or visit www.kitchenangels.org to purchase tickets online.

Peter Lipscomb operates Astronomy Adventures guided night sky tours and advocates for sensible and energy-efficient lighting practices through public outreach and education. Contact him at pslipscomb@gmail.com.