Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Oro Valley Public Library Star Party and Telescope Dedication
2019-05-09 16:30 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix) | Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W Naranja Dr, Oro Valley, AZ, 85737, United States
A Dedication Ceremony and Public Star Party supporting Oro Valley Public Library. The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will donate a small telescope for the Library to check out to patrons. We will have a short dedication ceremony at 4:30 followed by some daytime Moon Viewing through the new Library Telescope. Come check out the event then check out the telescope!!

Desert Museum Cool Summer Nights
2019-05-25 19:00 - 22:00, 2019-06-22 19:00 - 22:00 | Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Enjoy a cool summer night at the Desert Museum “Astronomy” Night. TAAA will have several telescopes around the Museum to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky objects. Viewing will be weather dependent. Follow Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Event for real-time weather updates.

Evening Under the Stars
2019-06-08 19:15 - 22:00 | Chiricahua Astronomy Complex, 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ, 85625, United States
Evening Under the Stars Observing at the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) Chiricahua Astronomy Complex. Want to stargaze from a dark site where the band of the Milky Way is clearly visible across the sky? You see so many stars it is hard to pick out the constellations. Twice per year, we open our TAAA Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (Turkey Creek area near Chiricahua National Monument) to the public for an observing session. You can observe through a telescope with a 40″ mirror and see galaxies over 100 million light years away. We will have several large telescopes to observe with.
Our Spring “Evening Under the Stars” will be Saturday June 8th 2019. The gate will be open at 7:15 pm with activities starting 7:30 pm. Come join us for an exciting evening of astronomical observing. The site is about 90 minutes SE of Tucson near the Chiricahua National Monument. If you have friends/family that live in that area, let them know. The event is weather dependent. Reservations are required. Please email John Kalas at jckalas[at]cox.net by Tuesday June 4th for reservations and directions.

Vail Stargazing
2019-07-01 20:00 - 22:00 | Vail Lutheran Church, 14600 E Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, AZ, 85641, United States
Star Party supporting Vail community 4th of July Celebration. Observing will be behind the Vail Lutheran Church.

Elfrida, AZ Library Evening Stargazing
2019-07-09 20:00 - 21:30 | Elfrida Library, 10552 N Hwy 191, Elfrida, AZ, 85610, United States
An evening of Stargazing at the Elfrida Library in Elfrida, AZ (SE of Tucson in Cochise County). Event will include both Elfrida and Tombstone Libraries.

Elfrida Library Solar Observing
2019-07-11 11:30 - 12:30 | Elfrida Library, 10552 N Hwy 191, Elfrida, AZ, 85610, United States
A morning of observing the Sun at the Elfrida Library in Elfrida, AZ (SE of Tucson in Cochise County). Event will include both Elfrida and Tombstone Libraries.

Moon Viewing at Flandrau Planetarium
2019-07-13 19:30 - 22:00 | Flandrau Science Center, 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
An evening of Moon observing on the UA Mall just south of Flandrau Planetarium for the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. Timing will be in the evening but has not yet been finalized.

Spacefest STEAM
2019-08-09 09:00 - 12:00, 2019-08-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Starr Pass Resort, 3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, 85745, United States
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for some Solar Observing in support of the annual Spacefest Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) event at JW Marriott starr Pass. The event will go from 9 am to 4 pm but solar observing will only be in the morning. Weather dependent.

Natural Grocers Solar
2019-08-15 08:00 - 12:00 | Natural Grocers, 7220 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85710, United States
Join TAAA and other Non-Profits throughout the day at the Natural Grocers (7220 E Broadway). TAAA will have a solar telescope setup outside the main entrance (weather permitting) in the morning to safely view the Sun and any Solar Prominences and Sunspots. Follow the event on the TAAA Facebook Page for a real-time update on weather conditions.

Oracle State Park Star Party
2019-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and Oracle State Park for an evening of dark-sky Stargazing. There will be other events happening as well. Check the Oracle State Park website for additional details.

Catalina State Park Star Party
2019-10-05 18:30 - 21:30 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States
Star Party-Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
Viewing Location: Trailhead Picnic area at end of road inside the park.
Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Catalina State Park. Star Party open to the Public. Admission cost for entrance into Catalina State Park. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have 10 telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a wide variety of telescopes. Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Evening Under the Stars
2019-10-19 17:30 - 22:00 | Chiricahua Astronomy Complex, 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ, 85625, United States
Evening Under the Stars Observing at the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) Chiricahua Astronomy Complex. Want to stargaze from a dark site where the band of the Milky Way is clearly visible across the sky? You see so many stars it is hard to pick out the constellations. Twice per year, we open our TAAA Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (Turkey Creek area near Chiricahua National Monument) to the public for an observing session. You can observe through a telescope with a 40″ mirror and see galaxies over 100 million light years away. We will have several large telescopes to observe with.
Our Fall “Evening Under the Stars” will be Saturday October 19th 2019. The gate will be open at 5:30 pm with activities starting 6 pm. Come join us for an exciting evening of astronomical observing. The site is about 90 minutes SE of Tucson near the Chiricahua National Monument. If you have friends/family that live in that area, let them know. The event is weather dependent. Reservations are required. Please email John Kalas at jckalas[at]cox.net for reservations and directions. Please include number of people & vehicles in your group. Space is limited.
The nebulosity associated with M45 is not the progenitor of the cluster. Instead, it is a nebula through which M45 is passing.NASA Image, Robert Gendler

Chiricahua National Monument Astronomy Event
2019-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Chiricahua National Monument, 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ, 85643, United States
TAAA Stargazing to view amazing solar system and deep sky objects. You will see planets, nebulae, star clusters, double stars, and lots more. We will have several telescopes for public viewing. Observing location is Echo Canyon Trailhead. A talk is scheduled before observing Bonita Campground Amphitheater at 6:00 pm with observing from 7 – 9 pm. Please try to use red light flashlights and minimize white light (to include cell phones) that will hinder your night vision. Chiricahua National Monument website: https://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htm. Weather dependent — Follow the event on the TAAA Facebook page to get weather and other updates.

Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival
2019-11-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Empire Ranch, E Empire Ranch Road, Sonoita, AZ, United States
TAAA will have a solar telescope to safely view the surface of the Sun. The Festival goes from 10 am to 4 pm with lots of other activities.

Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party
2019-11-02 18:30 - 20:30, 2019-12-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Ironwood Picnic, 7300 W Hal gras Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85735, United States
Star Party-Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area
Tucson, AZ (West)
Viewing Location: Second Restroom area approximately 3/4 of the way in on Hal Gras Road.
Information: Great dark skies in Western Tucson. Star Party open to the Public. Cost: FREE. Tucson 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. Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Mercury Transit Across the Sun
2019-11-11 07:30 - 11:30 | Brandi Fenton Park, 3482 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85718, United States
Mercury Transit Across the Sun. Monday November 11, 2019 (Veterans Day). This is a school holiday and a work holiday for many. Don’t pass up this “once-in-a-lifetime event”. A Mercury Transit (passing in front of) will NOT be visible again in the U.S. until May 7, 2049. Transits occur only 13-14 times per century. A Mercury Transit is too small to see without a properly filtered solar telescope. When you observe a transit, you see a small black circle (the planet Mercury) moving across the Sun. This event is visible throughout the U.S. TAAA will have several solar telescopes to safely view the Transit at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park (3482 E River Rd, River & Alvernon) on November 11 from 7:30 – 11 am (Mercury mid-transit when it is crossing the middle of the Sun is at 8:20 am Tucson time). Sunrise November 11 is 6:49 am and the Transit will already be underway. You can follow the Mercury Transit event on our Facebook page (facebook.com/tucsonastronomy) for real-time weather updates. This event requires a clear view of the Sun (no cloud cover). CAUTION: Never look at the Sun without a proper solar filter or you can damage your eyes.

Murphy-Wilmot Library Evening Stargazing
2019-12-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Murphy-Wilmot Library, 530 N Wilmot Road, Tucson, AZ, 85711, United States
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the Murphy-Wilmot Library for an evening of stargazing.

Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Stargazing
2020-01-25 18:00 - 20:00, 2020-02-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Ironwood Picnic, 7300 W Hal gras Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85735, United States

Catalina State Park Stargazing
2020-02-01 18:30 - 21:30 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States

Tucson Star Party
2020-02-15 14:00 - 21:00 | Pima Community College East, 8181 E Irvington Rd, Tucson, AZ, United States
Annual Tucson Star Party co-sponsored with Astronomy Magazine. Solar observing from 2 pm until sunset. Evening observing from sunset to 9 pm. Enjoy some dark sky observing under wonderful Tucson skies. Follow the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook event for weather and other updates.

Agua Caliente Park Stargazing
2020-03-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking Lot
Information: Great dark skies in Northeast Tucson. Star Party open to the Public. Cost: FREE. Tucson 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. Park 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 (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Oracle State Park Stargazing
2020-03-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Star Party-Oracle State Park
Tucson, AZ
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House
Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park. Star Party open to the Public. Admission cost for entrance into Oracle State Park may apply. Tucson 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 wide variety of telescopes. Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/). There is generally a talk and other events also taking place. Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information.

VIRTUAL Star Party
2020-04-21 20:00 - 21:30 | AZ
The nebulosity associated with M45 is not the progenitor of the cluster. Instead, it is a nebula through which M45 is passing.NASA Image, Robert Gendler
TAAA will host our first ever VIRTUAL star party coming to you from Tucson, AZ. We will explore about 12 objects for an hour and a half. This will be a Facebook Live event and is accessible from our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/. The event will be accessible from the Videos section and can be replayed after the event as well. The TAAA Facebook page is a public page and does not require any login to view. If you want any real-time updates, weather advisories, or other information leading up to the event, you can follow the Facebook event.

VIRTUAL Star Party
2020-05-12 20:30 - 22:00 | AZ
M3 is a spectacular globular, and one of the largest, with 500,000 members. It is located in Canes Venatici. This cluster is nearly as old as the universe itself. Note the young blue stars, Blue Stragglers, embedded in the cluster.NASA image/ Teuwen
TAAA will host a VIRTUAL star party coming to you from Tucson, AZ. We will explore about 12 objects for an hour and a half. This will be a Facebook Live event and is accessible from our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/. The event will be accessible from the Videos section and can be replayed after the event as well. The TAAA Facebook page is a public page and does not require any login to view. If you want any real-time updates, weather advisories, or other information leading up to the event, you can follow the Facebook event. The star party will go from 8:30 – 10 pm Tucson, AZ (Pacific Daylight). Tucson is GMT – 7.

Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party
2020-06-13 18:00 - 2020-06-20 20:30 | ONLINE
VIRTUAL. VIRTUAL. VIRTUAL.
This year’s Grand Canyon Star Party will be Virtual and streamed from the Grand Canyon National Park Facebook page. Here are links to the Grand Canyon News Release and Facebook Page. Follow the Facebook event for any updates:

Schedule/Information 2020 Virtual GCSP

·
TAAA Members: Please attend as many events as possible and help us out
by assisting in answering chat questions of visitors, encouraging their interest
in the sky, and mentioning the 2021 GCSP!
Grand Canyon National Park
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/newsreleases.htm/
Grand Canyon’s 2020 Star Party will be Hosted Virtually
[A night sky with red lighting in the forefront highlights telescopes looking at the sky. The words “Welcome to the Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party 2020!” are superimposed over the image.]
The 30th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held virtually June 13-20, 2020. While the on- site event at Grand Canyon National Park has been cancelled on both rims due to concerns over
COVID-19 this year, the park hopes to bring the wonders of the night sky into the virtual realm
through a series of video premieres on Grand Canyon’s official Facebook account.
https://www.facebook.com/events/252511419184647/
Go to Facebook to participate in event. Or go to Facebook and set up a personal reminder.
JUN 13 AT 6 PM – JUN 20 AT 8:30 PM
Online Event
Public · Hosted by
Grand Canyon National Park
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party 2020
Welcome to the Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party 2020!
Grand Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon Conservancy invite you to the Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party 2020, June 13-20…

https://www.facebook.com/GrandCanyonNationalPark/
Schedule
Saturday, June 13, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Dark Skies in Isolation: Why Protecting the Night Sky is More Important Than Ever by Dr. John Barentine
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 1 by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy
Association
Sunday, June 14, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Lions, Vultures, and a Scorpion, Oh My! A Summer Jaunt through Arabian Skies by Dr.Danielle Adams
7:00PM – 8:30PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 2 by Focus Astronomy
Monday, June 15, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
A Tour Through the Universe by Dean Regas
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 3 by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy
Association
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Infant Galaxies to Alien Atmospheres: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope by Dr. Amber Straughn
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 4 by Focus Astronomy
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Art of Photographing Dark Skies by Shreenivasan Manievannan
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 5 by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy
Association
Thursday, June 18, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
One Giant Leap: Apollo Astronaut Training in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Schindler
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 6 by Focus Astronomy
Friday, June 19, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Astrophotography for Beginners by Bettymaya Foott
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 7 by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
Saturday, June 20, 2020
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Planetary Defense: Surveying the Sky for Killer Asteroids by Professor Vishnu
Reddy
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 8 by Focus Astronomy
Definitely Also SEE Additional Information on NPS Web Page
Including info on 2021 GCSP:
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm/

Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the National Park Service for the 30th annual Star Party. The Star Party will be June 13 – 20, 2020. You will see Solar System planets, Galaxies Far Far Away, Star Clusters — some with several hundred thousand stars, Nebulae, multiple star systems (some with as many as 6 stars), and lots more. The skies are so dark you can clearly see the band of the Milky Way overhead. We start with a talk in the Visitor Center Auditorium about an astronomy topic at 8 pm. Observing at the telescopes goes from sunset (about 8 pm) to 11 pm. This event is free and open to anyone inside the Grand Canyon (park entrance fee required). For additional information, check out our Grand Canyon Star Party Webpage at: http://tucsonastronomy.org/upcoming-events/grand-canyon-star-party/.

Virtual Star Party
2020-08-15 20:30 - 22:00 | ONLINE
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a Virtual tour of the Night Sky. We will explore planets, Nebulae, Star Clusters, Galaxies, and much more. The event will be streamed on our Facebook page as a Facebook Premiere (TAAA Facebook). It will also air on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com). Search Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.
