Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

General Meeting – June 2017
2017-06-02 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Phoenix) | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
6:30 PM: Introductory Presentation
Title: Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo
Presenter: Pranvera Hyseni
7:30 PM: Main Presentation
Title: Juno Space Probe Update
Presenter: Dr. William Hubbard, Professor Emeritus of the Lunar and Planetary Lab and Co-Investigator of the Juno Mission to Jupiter

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – June 2017
2017-06-08 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Come join us for a presentation from the fundamentals of amateur astronomy. This month Stephen Ferris will do part 2 of his “Cosmology” presentation. The “Constellation of the Month” is “Bootes” presented by Bill Yohey.

Spacefest STEAM Event
2017-06-09 09:00 - 15:00, 2017-06-10 09:00 - 15:00 | Starr Pass Resort, 3800 W Starr Pass Blvd, Tucson, 85745, United States
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several solar telescopes to observe the Sun from 9 am to 3 pm supporting the Spacefest Science Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) event. We will also have some interactive Astronomy activities for kids and adults.

Grand Canyon Star Party
2017-06-17 - 2017-06-24 | Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023, United States
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, in conjunction with the National Park Service, will sponsor a week-long Star Party at the Grand Canyon.
Observing will be from Dusk to about 11 pm. Telescopes will be set up behind the Visitor Center. There will also be nightly talks @ 8 pm in the Visitor Center Auditorium. There will be Solar Observing throughout the day at various locations around the Park.
We will observe a wide variety of Celestial Wonders under some very dark and pristine skies. Come join us for some astronomy fun at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World!
For further information, contact:
Jim O’Connor
South Rim Coordinator, Grand Canyon Star Party
gcsp [at] tucsonastronomy.org
P, O. Box 457
Cortaro, AZ 85652
Home: (520) 546-2961
Cell: (520) 405-6551

Sonoran Desert Museum Cool Summer "Astronomy" Night
2017-06-24 18:00 - 21:30 | Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Join TAAA and the Sonoran Desert Museum for the Cool Summer Nights Astronomy Event. TAAA will have several telescopes set up around the Museum to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky objects.

Vail Star Party
2017-07-02 19:45 - 21:30 | Vail Lutheran Church, 14600 E Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, AZ, 85641, United States
Star Party-Vail Preservation Society; 4th of July Celebration
VAIL
Setup: 7 pm
Observing: 7:45 – 9:30 pm
Viewing Location: Vail Lutheran Church, south of the buildings
Estimated # Participants: 100
Age/Grade: All Ages
# Scopes Required: 4
Other Activities: Part of Vail 4th of July celebration.

General Meeting – July 2017
2017-07-07 18:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Introductory Presentation – 6:30 PM
Title: Objects of the Quarter
Presenter: Mary Turner, Ph.D,
In her latest sky talk, Mary Turner, TAAA’s Chief Observer, takes us on a tour of the summer night sky. With the use of astronomical data, images, and mythology, Mary provides an overview of what to expect in the sky during the coming months.
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Main Presentation – 7:30 PM
Title: Catalina Sky Survey; What It Does and How Amateur Astronomers Can Help
Presenter: Eric J. Christensen, Chief Investigator of Catalina Sky Survey, University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory
Chief Investigator Eric J. Christensen will give an overview of the Catalina Sky Survey (CSS), the NASA funded project based at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Lab. CSS is dedicated to discovering and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs). Learn about CSS’s history, latest discoveries, and crucial role in planetary defense against potentially hazardous asteroids. Eric will talk about the value of Asteroid Day (June 30), mitigation options should an impact from an NEO be predicted, plus the contributions amateur astronomers make to the discovery process.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – July 2017
2017-07-13 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Details to be determined.

Lunar and Planetary Lab Open House
2017-07-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, 1629 E University Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Open House for the Lunar and Planetary Lab (LPL). LPL is in the Kuiper Sciences Building on the UA Mall, just east of Flandrau Planetarium. This year’s theme is HiRISE and Mars.

General Meeting – August 2017
2017-08-04 18:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Science at the 2017 Eclipse: The Citizen CATE Experiment
Presenter: Matt Penn, Ph.D., National Solar Observatory
The summer’s total eclipse presents a special opportunity for a group of citizen scientists including scientists, high school students, and educators. The Citizen Continental-America Telescopic Eclipse (CATE) Experiment will monitor the outer atmosphere of the sun, the corona, using a network of 68 identical telescopes located at various places along the path of totality.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – August 2017
2017-08-10 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
This month Ruth Gomez will give us some fascinating information about “Eclipse Superstitions and Myths”. The “Constellation of the Month” is Sagittarius.

Partial Solar Eclipse
2017-08-21 09:00 - 12:00
There will likely be several Astronomy events throughout Tucson to observe the Partial Solar Eclipse. The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association does not have a specific location planned, but will likely support UA or other agencies with some solar telescopes.

General Meeting – September 2017
2017-09-01 18:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Introductory Presentation: More Eclipse Tales
Presenter: Alex Filippenko
We will show the second Alex Filippenko lecture called “More Eclipse Tales,” from his Understanding the Universe DVD course. Following that, we’ll hear some members share their Total Solar Eclipse 2017 experiences. (Members’ photos of the eclipse will be shown in November. We’ll talk about how to participate.)
Main Presentation: Satellite Galaxies and Dwarfs in the Local Group
Presenter: Ekta Patel
Ekta will begin by reviewing the current classification system used by astronomers to identify different types of galaxies. She will then present an overview of satellite galaxies, including what they are, how they were discovered, and how astronomers use them to understand the evolution and formation of our own Milky Way galaxy and the neighboring Andromeda galaxy. She will explain the current research she is conducting using computer simulations of the Universe to further study satellite galaxies in a context beyond the scope of what observations alone can teach us.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – September 2017
2017-09-14 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Branden Dickerson will provide us with “A Non-Mathematical Introduction to Relativity”. The “Constellation of the Month”, will be Sagittarius. Bill Yohey will do the presentation, delayed from August.

Star Party - Agua Caliente Park
2017-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Agua Caliente Park
NORTHEAST TUCSON
Setup: 6:30 pm
Observing: 7 – 9 pm
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking Lot
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.

Star Party - Oracle State Park
2017-09-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Star Party-Oracle State Park.
ORACLE
Setup: 6:30 pm. Observing: 7 – 9 pm
Viewing Location: Sidewalk along the Kannally Ranch House parking lot and on the Ranch House upper patio.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.

Star Party - Tucson Mountain Park @ Ironwood Picnic Area
2017-09-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Ironwood Picnic, 7300 W Hal gras Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85735, United States
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Tucson Mountain Park (Ironwood Picnic)
WEST TUCSON
Setup: 6:30 pm
Observing: 7 – 9 pm
Viewing Location: Ironwood Picnic area near 2nd restroom facilities (right side) approximately .6 miles in on Hal Gras Road.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.

General Meeting – October 2017
2017-10-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation
Title: The Fall Night Sky
Presenter: Dr. Mary Turner
TAAA’s Chief Observer, Mary Turner, takes us on a tour of the fall night sky, with a quarterly look at celestial objects and some skylore.
Main Presentation: 7:30 P.M.
Title: A Tale of Epsilon Eridani – How Debris Disks Tell Us about Exoplanetary Systems
Presenter: Dr. Kate Su, astronomer from Steward Observatory
Epsilon Eridani, a young solar-like star—at a distance of 10.5 light years from the Sun—is one of the closest stars with a planetary system. Dr. Su’s talk will focus on how astronomers use the emission from orbiting dust to reveal the underlying planetary architecture of Epsilon Eridani. Her main research—with the goal of understanding the origin and evolution of our own solar system—involves interpreting data obtained from ground-based telescopes around the globe, as well as from space telescopes and the airborne observatory SOFIA.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – October 2017
2017-10-12 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Come join us for a presentation from the fundamentals of amateur astronomy. At the October meeting Dennis McMacken will demonstrate the Collimation of a Dobsonian Telescope.

The “Constellation of the Month” will be Pegasus. Bill Yohey will do the presentation.

Star Party - Catalina State Park
2017-10-14 18:30 - 21:30 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States
Star Party-Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
Setup: 6 PM
Observing: 6:30 – 9:30 PM
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.

Star Party-Chiricahua National Monument
2017-10-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Chiricahua National Monument, 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ, 85643, United States
Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the Chiricahua National Monument for an exciting evening of Star Gazing under some incredibly dark skies. Observing will be at the Visitor Center from 6 to 9 PM. We’ll get some amazing views of planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and lots more.

Star Party - Agua Caliente Park
2017-10-21 18:30 - 20:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Agua Caliente Park
NORTHEAST TUCSON
Setup: 6 pm
Observing: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking Lot
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.

Pima County Library Astronomy
2017-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Joel D. Valdez Library (Main Branch), 101 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701, United States
An event supporting the main branch (Joel V Valdez) of the Pima County Library. The event is called: Observe the Moon Costume Party. This is open to the public and we hope you will wear a costume. Also, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will donate a small telescope to the Library to be available for checking out. Come join us and the Pima County Library for a fun evening of observing the moon with their new telescope.

Star Party - Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area
2017-10-28 18:30 - 20:30 | Ironwood Picnic, 7300 W Hal gras Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85735, United States
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Tucson Mountain Park (Ironwood Picnic)
WEST TUCSON
Setup: 6 pm
Observing: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Viewing Location: Ironwood Picnic area near 2nd restroom facilities (right side) approximately .6 miles in on Hal Gras Road.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.

General Meeting – November 2017
2017-11-03 18:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Total Solar Eclipse Night! Everyone’s invited. From 6:30 P.M. to 9:00 or so, the entire meeting is devoted to TAAA members sharing photos and experiences from the great Total Solar Eclipse of Aug. 21, 2017.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – November 2017
2017-11-09 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Stephen Ferris will discuss Star Clusters. The “Constellation of the Month” will be determined later.

Tumacacori National Park Star Party
2017-11-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ, 85640, United States
Join Tumacacori National Historical Park and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for an evening of Astronomy Star Gazing from 6 – 8 PM. You will see planets, nebulae, star clusters, double stars, and lots more. Weather dependent — Follow the event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Page to get weather and real-time updates.

Tucson Parks & Recreation Family Festival in the Park (Reid Park)
2017-11-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Reid Park, 900 S Randolph Way, Tucson, 85716, United States
Tucson Parks & Recreation will be hosting a Family Festival in the Park (Reid Park) from 10 AM to 2 PM. There will be plenty of family friendly activities. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several Solar Telescopes to safely view the Sun and will have other Astronomy Information and interactive activities.

Star Party - Agua Caliente Park
2017-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Agua Caliente Park
NORTHEAST TUCSON
Setup: 5:30 pm
Observing: 6 – 8 pm
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking Lot
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.
