HYBRID – General Meeting – April 2026

Title: TAAA Dark Sky Sites…A Great Club Perk!

TAAA Members Jim Knoll, Bill Lofquist, and Stephen Ferris will speak about the exciting opportunities for dark site viewing available for TAAA members at TIMPA (which stands for Tucson International Modelplex Park Association) and at CAC (Chicahua Astronomy Complex) 

TIMPA is just 25 miles west from the center of Tucson. TAAA has used the site for almost 30 years.  It includes restrooms, 6 user pads, and the club’s original big telescope, the 14″ Gila Monster observatory.  TIMPA Director, Stephen Ferris reports that “in the last two years, we’ve also added a second permanently mounted big telescope, the TIMPA Meade 16″ SCT.  Late last year, we also acquired a Losmandy G11 mount which we are matching with two high quality refractors and an ASIAir control unit.” TIMPA now can welcome SmartScopes of all types.  SmartScopes are a great new tool for both beginning and experienced astronomers. TIMPA is planning multiple events for SmartScopes in the next few months. This close-in site opens at sunset, and members can stay until dawn.  

Presenters: Jim Knoll and Bill Lofquist

Jim Knoll and Bill Lofquist will give the latest information about TAAA’s very own 16-acre CAC observing site. CAC is two hours SE of Tucson near the Chiricahua Mountains. From here you can easily see the Milky Way and many astronomy objects with just your eyes. Telescopes at the site include a 40-inch, 32-inch, 25-inch, 18-inch, several 14-inch scopes, a 9-inch refractor and many more. CAC has 10 sleeping rooms, 7 RV sites, a large tent camping area, and a classroom.  

Learn about the history and current availability of both observing sites at the April TAAA meeting.