The TAAA Dark Sites are for members and their guests. Each site has days scheduled around the new moon that are hosted by a trained member, during which members are always welcome.
The CAC dark site in Pearce, AZ is open at ALL times to members who have received training to properly open and close the site and to all members on the days we have a host in residence.
Reservations for the CAC site are required and should be submitted on this website any time within 90 days of the date being reserved. This site allows members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association to register to observe or reserve space for overnight sleeping spaces at its Dark Site and to reserve parking at spaces for EV Charging. If you have extenuating circumstances that required longer lead-time, email the CAC Reservations Manager for assistance.
*** Upcoming Special Events at CAC*** (Email CAC Reservations or CAC Director if additional information is requested prior to making a reservation).
April 29 – May 2, 2024. Astronomy Camp for High School students.
May 9-10, 2024. Spraying Weeds at CAC.
September 21, 2024. Evening Under the Stars
Members can reserve:
(A) register to simply observe for the evening – $0, B) A private room with 2 beds (one a bunk bed) – $25, or one with one bunk bed – $20 C) a cot space in the common room – $5, D) an RV space with power – 30 amps – $10, or – 50 amps – $15, E) One of the Site Telescopes – at $0 cost (If you are Certified on that Telescope) F) One of the site’s multiple 50amp Electric Vehicle charging spaces – $10.
(For reservations requiring payment, you must pay within 48 hours or your reservation may be cancelled.)
NEW. To help cover costs at CAC for both electricity and general maintenance, We plan to raise all reservation amounts by $5 in the new TAAA Fiscal Year (July 1, 2024). We hope you understand that for the long-term viability, we need to try and keep CAC a self-sustaining operation so we do not need to raise general members dues.
Reserving a sleeping room also gives you the ability to reserve an observing pad (or, member leased pad) and add comments. To reserve a TAAA telescope, you must FIRST COMPLETE a CAC Accommodation Reservation (just observing, etc.) for a total of 2 reservations.
Room/Space check-in/check-out 12 noon. Mattresses are firm, so bring an air pad or something to soften the mattress if desired. Members must provide their own bed linen. Also, refrigerator space is limited, so please minimize what you need to put into the refrigerator or bring a cooler with ice to keep in your room. Please take all personal items with you when you depart.
If you make a telescope observing reservation, you must FIRST make an Accommodation Reservation (just observing, sleeping room, cot, camping, etc).
During the hosted CAC weekends, please limit your telescope reservations to 2 nights to allow others to also have access.
PETS are NOT allowed in sleeping rooms or inside the buildings at CAC. If you are in an RV / tent or just visiting the site and do not plan to go inside any buildings, then a pet on a leash is OK.
Click the areas below to check available dates for your desired type of Visit and complete your request.
in RMO
Tel
If you do NOT receive a response confirming your reservation within 24 hours from the CAC Reservations Manager, you may follow-up with an email to:
cac-reservations[at]tucsonastronomy.org.
IMPORTANT RESERVATION CANCELLATION/MODIFICATION PROCESS: Go here to MODIFY/CANCEL an existing reservation for a place to stay or equipment you have reserved. If you cannot keep your reservation due to weather or other issues, PLEASE CANCEL it so others may be able to use the site and we know who is on the site. Repeated failures to cancel may result in losing reservation privileges.
If you are unsure about your reservation status, contact the CAC Reservations Manager directly at: cac-reservations[at]tucsonastronomy.org
We encourage suggestions and comments about the reservation system to also go to the Reservations Manager.