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X-WR-CALNAME:Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260206T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260206T200000
DTSTAMP:20260504T225408
CREATED:20260126T043452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T055350Z
UID:15850-1770402600-1770408000@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:HYBRID – General Meeting – February 2026
DESCRIPTION:Title:  NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission: On the Way to Explore Ocean World Habitability\n\n\n\nDr. Robert Pappalardo\, Project Scientist for the Europa Clipper Mission\, gives this month’s featured talk. In his words: “On October 14\, 2024\, NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft launched on its journey to Jupiter’s moon Europa\, an icy world believed to harbor a global subsurface ocean. Observations from the Galileo mission revealed Europa to have a relatively young and deformed ice surface. An induced magnetic field implies the presence of a salty ocean beneath the ice. Tidal forces from Jupiter fracture the ice shell into ridges\, bands\, and chaotic terrains\, suggesting ice mobility and possible local melting. Earth- and space-based telescopes suggest the presence of plumes that may vent interior water vapor into space. Europa may contain the key ingredients necessary for life—liquid water\, bioessential elements\, chemical energy\, and long-term stability—making it a compelling target for investigation of ocean world habitability. \n\n\n\nThe Europa Clipper mission will address Europa’s habitability using an advanced suite of remote-sensing and in-situ instruments that probe the moon’s interior\, composition\, and geology\, while also searching for present-day activity such as plumes. During its 5.5-year cruise to Jupiter\, the mission is maturing operations concepts and validating instrument performance\, including through flyby observations of Mars\, Earth\, and interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. After entering Jupiter orbit in 2030\, the spacecraft will execute 49 close encounters with Europa at altitudes of typically 25–100 km above the surface\, enabling unprecedented observations of this ocean world.” \n\n\n\nDr. Pappalardo’s presentation will summarize our current understanding of Europa\, describe how Europa Clipper is designed to investigate its habitability\, and provide an update on mission status as the spacecraft continues its journey to the Jovian system. \n\n\n\nPresenter: Robert Pappalardo \n\n\n\nRobert Pappalardo is a JPL Fellow and Senior Research Scientist\, and the Project Scientist for NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory\, California Institute of Technology. He has also served as the Project Scientist for the first extended mission of the Cassini spacecraft at Saturn\, for which he received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. He received his B.A. in Geological Sciences from Cornell University in 1986\, and he obtained his Ph.D. in Geology from Arizona State University in 1994. His research focuses on processes that have shaped the icy satellites of the outer solar system\, especially Europa and the role of its probable subsurface ocean. He has co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal papers and book chapters\, and he served as the chief editor of the University of Arizona Press book Europa. Through the years\, Pappalardo has mentored students and post-docs\, and he has worked with various science museums and organizations to bring the excitement of astronomy and planetary exploration to the public. \n\n\n\nPhoto Caption: Dr. Robert Pappalardo\, Project Scientist for NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission \n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Johns Hopkins Univ. Applied Physics Lab
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/hybrid-general-meeting-february-2026/
LOCATION:Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210)\, 933 N Cherry Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85721\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260206T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20260206T210000
DTSTAMP:20260504T225408
CREATED:20260104T212835Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260104T212835Z
UID:15744-1770404400-1770411600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Stargazing at Agua Caliente Park
DESCRIPTION:Viewing Location:  Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking LotInformation: Great dark skies in Northeast Tucson.  Star Party open to the Public.  Cost: FREE. \n\n\n\nTucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing.  We will observe Planets\, Nebulae\, Galaxies\, Star Clusters and lots more.  Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes. \n\n\n\nPark gate may close before event end time\, so arrive as close to start time as possible. Weather dependent.For real-time updates\, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page: ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook) \n\n\n\nFREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.These events fill up fast so recommend registering early. \n\n\n\nTo Register go to: Pima County Parks and Recreation Then Log in or Create an account. Once logged in click on “Environmental Education”. You should get the Pop-up screen “Register for a Program”. Scroll down to the event on the list and click on the “Register” button. You must be logged in for the Registration screen to work.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/stargazing-at-agua-caliente-park-10/
LOCATION:Agua Caliente Park\, 12325 E Roger Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85749\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
ORGANIZER;CN="Bernie Stinger":MAILTO:astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org
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