There’s a lot going on at Placitas Community Library next month.

Here are some of the events being held in March at the library:

New Mexico Search and Rescue

Members of the New Mexico Search and Rescue team will speak at the Placitas Community Library March 4 at 2 p.m. on locating and rescuing people lost or injured while hiking mountainous areas of New Mexico. They will discuss the “10 Essentials” you need in your backpack, what the do’s and don’ts are if you are lost in the wilderness, and how a SAR mission develops. They will also explain the resources, teams, and technologies used in search and rescue operations.

The state of New Mexico is filled with open space and high mountain terrain, which makes it ideal for hiking and exploration.  However, one can easily become stranded or lost in these remote areas. New Mexico has a state-sponsored program, New Mexico Search and Rescue, which is on call 24/7 to respond to lost and/or injured people in such wilderness areas.

Equinox Gnomon and the WEBB Telescope: Take Two

On March 19, Placitas Community Library will celebrate the Vernal Equinox with astronomers Tony Hull and Steve Snider.  Beginning around 10 a.m. the public is invited to place stones marking the path of the sun’s shadow.  Twice a year, on the Equinoxes, the pattern created by the Gnomon’s shadow is special and different from other days of the year. The placing of stones to create this pattern will continue every 15 minutes throughout the day.

In cooperation with The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS), there will be opportunities to safely view our sun’s activity in the form of solar flares and sun spots.

At 2 p.m., Hull will speak about the James WEBB Space Telescope, with a focus on what we are seeing in the glorious images from the scope and what astronomy is learning about the universe.

From March 18 through April 27, the Placitas Community Library’s Art Committee will exhibit artists who captured the state’s essence for an exhibition in the library’s Gracie Lee Community Room.

The public is invited to experience New Mexico through participating artists’ eyes during regular library hours or during the artists’ reception, Friday, March 31 from 5-6:30 p.m.