Classes and Workshops

TAAA hosts numerous classes and workshops for MEMBERS ONLY throughout the year.

Training AT CAC – The TAAA Eastern Dark Site

Telescope Training for the portfolio of CAC Telescopes from its 9.25″ to 40″telescopes – GENERAL INFORMATION ATTACHED.

Training AT TIMPA – The TAAA Western Dark Site

REGISTRATION

Preregistration for classes and workshops can help determine the frequency with which they will be offered. Please indicate you expression of interest in those you want to attend in the near future.

If you are interested in enrolling in any of these workshops with meeting assigned dates you can reserve your space on the form, or if you would like additional information contact the TAAA Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCOR) at the address listed below.

Constellation Locating and Identification – Practical Astronomy Workshop

Place: TIMPA Date: Watch for 2024 dates for this wonderful fundamental skills workshop.

Synopsis: This is a workshop in the practical astronomy series. It will teach how to locate and identify constellations. The students will be taught how to locate and identify the constellations without having to memorize the night sky. Each student will use the supplied equipment to locate several constellations. Students will learn how to use a planisphere and star atlas to locate constellations without memorizing the sky. This program provides the methodology for the observing requirements of the Astronomical League Northern Constellation Observing Award.

The workshop is offered every 3 months which should enable the students to earn the AL Northern Constellation Observing Award.

If interested you can register above or contact the instructor Douglas Smith at: Instructor – Douglas Smith Phone: 520-396-3233 e-mail: alcor@tucsonastronomy.org

PLEASE NOTE: due to equipment limitations there is a strict limit of 20 students for this workshop.

Sketching and Logging – Practical Astronomy Workshop – open for pre-enrollment 

Place: TIMPA  Date: – TBD

Synopsis: This is the workshop in the practical hands on astronomy series. Students will learn how to record observations and how to sketch objects. The students will be taught proper recording techniques, what information to record, what sort of forms to use, etc. In addition students will be taught techniques for sketching objects. The students will view, using a telescope, several different types of objects and perform recording activities and sketch different objects.

If interested you can register above or contact the instructor Douglas Smith at: alcor@tucsonastronomy.org

PLEASE NOTE: due to equipment limitations there is a strict limit of 20 students for this workshop. 

Instructor – Douglas Smith Phone: 520-396-3233 e-mail: alcor@tucsonastronomy.org

Starhopping – Practical Astronomy Workshop

Place: TIMPA  Date: To be determined

Synopsis: This workshop is one of workshops in the practical astronomy series. It will teach Star Hopping. The students will be taught the proper star hopping technique and equipment usage. Each student will use the supplied equipment to locate at least 2 targets (maybe more if time permits). By the end of the workshop the student will know what equipment to use and how to use it in order to locate targets using star hopping.

If interested you can contact the instructor at the information listed below.

PLEASE NOTE: due to equipment limitations there is a strict limit of 20 students for this workshop.

Instructor – Douglas Smith Phone: 520-396-3233 e-mail: alcor@tucsonastronomy.org

Using Setting Circles – Practical Astronomy Workshop

Place: TIMPA  Date: To Be Determined 

Synopsis: This is a workshop in the practical astronomy series. It will teach students how to use manual setting circles for locating objects in the night sky. Many SCT’s and older scopes have manual setting circles. This workshop is highly recommended for students who have telescopes that are not goto or pushto and have manual setting circles. 

If interested you can register above or contact the instructor Douglas Smith at: alcor@tucsonastronomy.org

PLEASE NOTE: due to extreme equipment limitations there is a strict limit of 10 students for this workshop. If additional properly equipped equipment becomes available, the limit may be increased. 

Astronomical League Workshop – open for enrollment

Place: Woods Memorial Library, 3455 N. First Ave. Tucson Date: Saturday August 24, 2024 Time: 10 AM until 1 PM

Synopsis: This workshop is designed for anyone who may be interested in pursuing one of the Astronomical League observing programs for the first time or anyone interested in learning about these observing programs. The workshop will cover how the various observing programs work, program requirements, selection of an appropriate program, recommended equipment, resources, logging requirements, and much more.

If interested you can contact the TAAA Astronomical League Correspondent (ALCOR) at the information listed below or sign up using the signup page on this page. There will also be a signup sheet available at the July and August TAAA General Member meetings.

TAAA ALCOR – Douglas Smith Phone: 520-396-3233 e-mail: alcor@tucsonastronomy.org

TAAA ALCOR – Douglas Smith; E-mail: alcor(at)tucsonastronomy.org

ENROLL FOR TIMPA TRAINING BELOW

Fundamentals of Astronomy Class open for enrollment

Place: Armory Park Center, 220 S. 5th Ave, Tucson Date: 3 consecutive Saturdays: Fall 2024 Time: 9 AM until 4 PM each day

Synopsis: This class covers all the basic topics in Amateur Astronomy. The course is designed for anyone interested in learning the basic concepts in Amateur Astronomy. Topics covered (but not limited to) include the solar system, deep sky objects, stars, telescopes, eyepieces, mounts, star hopping, observation techniques, plus much more. This course is highly recommended for novice amateur astronomers and for anyone who may have just purchased a telescope for the first time. Taking this class will also aide the student in understanding the more advanced lectures often given during general membership meetings.

If interested you can contact the instructor at the information listed below or sign up using the signup sheet that will be available at all General Members meeting or using the form below. Enrollment is strictly limited to 20 students and is on a first come basis. If there is sufficient interest the class may be offered again in the fall/winter 2024 time frame.

Instructor – Douglas Smith Phone: 520-396-3233 e-mail: alcor(at)tucsonastronomy.org or fundamentals(at)tucsonastronomy.org