32 inch Cassegrain Project

Planets of the Month: May 2023

by Erich Karkoschka

Venus is at its best, 40 degrees high at sunset and not setting until 10:45 pm. The Moon is 4 degrees below Venus on the evening of the 22nd, a great sight. Good eyes can see the pair during the daytime, such as around 3:30 pm when Venus is 84 degrees high. On the 22nd, the Moon is 7 degrees to the west, on the 23rd, 6 degrees to the east.

Mars is in the vicinity of Pollux and Castor all month. On the 15th, they form an 11-degree long line of “stars” of similar brightness.

Saturn rises around 2 am.

Jupiter follow Saturn around 4 am during dawn.

Mercury is barely visible after the 24th when it rises at 4:15 am.

On the morning of the 7th, the Moon occults Jupiter from 4:18 to 5:11 am. It takes a minute each to cover or uncover Jupiter’s large disk. The disappearance is difficult to observe since the pair is only 2 degrees above the horizon, 10 minutes after they rise. The reappearance is difficult to watch naked eye because of bright twilight, just 14 minutes before sunrise. However it should look great in binoculars or a telescope. Interestingly, the shadows of Io and Europa will remain on the disk until well past sunrise but the air may be too turbulent to pick them out.

What We're About

TIMPA – Dark Site – West

The members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association are fortunate to have access to two dark sites. One 100 miles to the South East of Tucson and one conveniently over the Tucson Mountains about 25 miles from the city at the site of the Tucson International Modelplex Association fields or TIMPA. The TIMPA site has provided members with an observing location protected from the city lights but accessible for an evening of viewing for many years.

The site includes restrooms, parking close to concrete observing pads, a 14 inch Meade telescope for trained member’s use, and on site telescopes available for loan to members, protected in a storage container.

Gila Monster Observatory to TIMPA barn far left.

The site is owned by the City of Tucson, and has been used by agreement by TAAA for over 25 years. It has been the site of Star Parties, Astro Imaging sessions, hosted our Astronomy Fundamentals Classes, and the ideal location for us to host observing Programs leading to awards earned by members through the Astronomical League. More details about TIMPA are available under TAAA Resources/Observing Sites

COMING SOON to the site will be a wonderful addition to the instruments at the site – a large 16 inch Meade Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

Special Event!

Grand Canyon Star Party – June 2024

The Grand Canyon Star Party (GCSP) is held on the South Rim in northern Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park in June every year around the time of the new moon. All amateur astronomers (must register using below information to attend) and the interested public of all ages are invited (no registration required)! Bring your telescope and enjoy the camaraderie. But you don’t have to have a telescope to come and enjoy the beautiful Arizona night skies. You DO need to reserve a room or campsite and make your travel arrangements early. See Accommodation Information for details. A visit to the breathtaking Grand Canyon is an unforgettable and fabulous vacation for families, singles, and seniors. Add a week of dark Arizona skies, lots of friends, fun, and astronomy education, and you have a recipe for perfection!

GCSP 2024

Stay tuned here for updates and information on the 2023 Grand Canyon Star Party, scheduled for June 1 – 8, 2024. PLEASE CHECK HERE as we get closer for any GCSP planning updates. The dates for each phase will be updated as we get closer. Registration will be open 3-4 months prior to the event.

Volunteer Registration form and the Campground Reservation Application links are accessible below under Volunteer Registration Information. Documents required by the National Park Service (NPS) to be signed and brought to the event are available below and will be emailed to participants approximately 1 month prior.

For any inquires about the status or general information not listed here, please email the team at: gcsp[at]tucsonastronomy.org. The GCSP Registrar Email address will be added under Registration Information below.

If you are an astronomer volunteering to support this event, please follow the registration instructions below. If you are a visitor to the Grand Canyon National Park at the time of the GCSP just come on out and enjoy the wonderful nights with us under the high desert skies. Again, no registration is necessary for visitors, but astronomer participants will need to register in order to receive further instructions and entry information.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Also visit the excellent National Park Services star party site. And here is a time lapse video taken by TAAA member Dean Ketelsen at the 2011 event and a GCSP 2022 Timelapse from Bob Rose.

FOR MORE VOLUNTEER INFORMATION – CLICK HERE

Special Event!

Tucson Astronomy Festival – March 30

TUCSON ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL

Each year on a Saturday in March or April, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association hosts a family fun event during national Astronomy Day. It is held at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park (3482 E River Rd @ Ramada 1)

3 – 9 pm

Interactive Astronomy Activities include:

Solar and Nighttime Observing

Door prizes to include a Grand Youth Prize of a Small Telescope

Bring your own telescope for help using (recommend arriving late afternoon during daylight)

FREE FAMILY FUN EVENT

The 2024 event. Saturday March 30, 2024.