Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – July 2019
2019-07-11 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Phoenix) | Tucson City Council Ward 6, 3202 E. 1st Street, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
NOTICE – NEW LOCATION!
Constellation of the Month:
Telescopium

Presenter: Ralph Means

Ralph Means will start the night with the southern constellation Telescopium.
Main Presentation:
Spaceflight History: Apollo 11
Presenter: Todd Baker

For our main topic, Todd Baker will be discussing Spaceflight History: Apollo 11.

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.

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.

General Meeting – July 2019
2019-07-05 18:30 - 21:00 | UA Modern Languages Building, 1423 East University Blvd, Third Floor Auditorium (Room 350), Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
NOTICE – NEW SUMMER LOCATION!
6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation
Title: Seasonal Night Sky Objects
Speaker: Mary Turner, PhD

Mary Turner, TAAA’s appointed Chief Observer, takes us on a tour of the summer night sky. As usual in her popular talks, Mary’s use of astronomical data, images, and mythology brings the seasonal changes in the sky to life.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: From Stars to the Laboratory: Stardust in the Solar System
Speaker: Pierre Haenecour, currently a Postdoctoral research associate, will join the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in Fall ‘19 as an Assistant Professor. Pierre holds a B.S. and M.S. degree in Geochemistry from the Free University of Brussels (Belgium, 2010) and obtained a Ph.D. degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Washington University (St. Louis, 2016). His research background is in geochemistry and cosmochemistry, with his main focus being the building blocks and early history of the Solar System and the origin of life.

About 4.6 billion years ago, our Solar System formed from the collapse of a large molecular cloud composed of interstellar gas, ice, and dust. Although most of the original dust grains were destroyed during the Solar System’s early formation, a small portion remained intact inside asteroids and comets, and can be found today on Earth in some meteorite samples. These tiny pre-solar grains or stardust, formed in the ‘envelopes’ around stars or in material ejected by certain stellar explosions before the Solar System formed, are the only remnants of its original building blocks. Pierre will talk about pre-solar grains and present a case study on how coordinated laboratory analysis of these specks of dust provide constraints on their parent stars and formation histories.
Meeting Location
More About Location: This building is one block West of Steward Observatory. Go to West side of the round Observatory at Steward. Face West. You will be looking across a green mall area. The building on the West (direction you are facing) side of that green area is Modern Languages. It is a long building. Cross the green mall and proceed toward the South.

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.

Desert Museum Cool Summer Nights
2019-06-22 19:00 - 22:00, 2019-05-25 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.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – June 2019
2019-06-13 18:30 - 20:30 | UA Education North Building, rm 110, 1501 E Speedway Blvd , Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Constellation of the Month:
Eridanus

Presenter: Ralph Means

Ralph Means will start the night with a talk about the southern constellation Eridanus.
Main Presentation:
NASA’s Deep Space Network
Presenter: Connor Justice

For our main topic, Connor Justice will be discussing NASA’s Deep Space Network.

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.

General Meeting – June 2019
2019-06-07 18:30 - 21:00 | UA Modern Languages Building, 1423 East University Blvd, Third Floor Auditorium (Room 350), Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
NOTICE – NEW LOCATION!
6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation
Title: Kitt Peak Expanded Night Programs & Docent Opportunities
Speakers: Robert Wilson is the Nighttime Programs Coordinator for Kitt Peak Visitor Center, a member of TAAA since 2000, and a former TAAA Star Party Volunteer Coordinator. Gigi Giles is the new Volunteer & Membership Coordinator for Kitt Peak Visitor Center, and also a TAAA member.
Robert Wilson will talk about the exciting new night time programs at Kitt Peak for all levels of interest and expertise in astronomy. And Gigi Giles will speak about current opportunities for enthusiastic docent volunteers to lead daily tours of Kitt Peak’s telescopes.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: A History of the MMT Observatory; 40 Years of Innovation and Discovery
Speaker: Dr. Grant Williams is an astronomer and the current Director of the MMT Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, in Arizona. He holds a B.A. in Physics from the University of Buffalo (New York) and a PhD from Clemson University (South Carolina). Dr. Williams has been employed at the MMT Observatory since 2002, and began his appointment as its Director on January 1, 2011. His main research focuses on the study of high mass stars and supernovae.

The MMT telescope, located on Arizona’s Mount Hopkins, has been in operation for nearly four decades. During this time, the MMT has been a leader in developing new techniques and technologies for large observatories. The MMT was originally built with six 1.8 meter mirrors, and began operating in 1979 as the third largest telescope in the world. As castings of large mirrors became more possible, the array of small mirrors was replaced by one 6.5 meter mirror, which saw first light in 2000. With the MMT currently celebrating 40 years of astronomical usage, Dr. Williams presents the telescopes greatest innovations, both in design and in discoveries.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – May 2019
2019-05-09 18:30 - 20:30 | UA Education North Building, rm 110, 1501 E Speedway Blvd , Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Constellation of the Month:
Dorado and Mensa

Presenter: Doug Smith

Doug Smith will start the night with a talk about the southern constellations Dorado and Mensa..
Main Presentation:
The Caldwell Catalog
Presenter: Gus Gomez

For our main topic, Gus Gomez will be discussing The Caldwell Catalog.

Oro Valley Public Library Star Party and Telescope Dedication
2019-05-09 16:30 - 19:00 | 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!!

Sanctuary Cove
2019-05-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Sanctuary Cove, 8001 N Scenic Dr, Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Astronomy event supporting Sanctuary Cove.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2019-05-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Observing: 7:30 – 9:30 PM
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/).

General Meeting – May 2019
2019-05-03 18:30 - 21:00 | Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, 1629 E University Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Open to the Public: TAAA encourages the public to join our general meetings held on the first Friday of each month.
Meeting Location: room 308 at Lunar and Planetary Labs Kuiper Space Sciences Bldg (1629 E. University Blvd.) on the University of Arizona campus. See Map
NOTE THE DIFFERENT LOCATION DETAILS AND MAP ABOVE.
6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation
Title: ELECTIONS and Cassiopeia Observatory
Speaker: Michael Weasner

This will be a membership meeting starting with an observatory presentation at 6:30 P.M. by Michael Weasner about the Cassiopeia Observatory* that he built and runs. Following it will be an internal business and elections meeting.
*There is an Open House at Cassiopeia Observatory for TAAA-members-only on Saturday, May 4th, at 10 A.M. Details at meeting.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Highlights of the OSIRIS REx Mission
Speaker: Dolores Hill, Senior Research Specialist at Lunar & Planetary Laboratory

Dolores Hill, Senior Research Specialist at Lunar & Planetary Laboratory will present highlights of the OSIRIS REx spacecraft’s arrival at near-Earth asteroid Bennu, including some exciting discoveries.

Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party
2019-04-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2019-03-02 19:00 - 21:00 | 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/).

Marana Under the Stars
2019-04-27 19:00 - 22:00 | Ora Mae Harn Park, 13250 N Lon Adams Rd, Marana, AZ, 85653, United States
Astronomy event supporting Marana Under the Stars. For more information, see the website: http://www.maranaaz.gov/town-calendar/2016/4/23/camping-under-the-stars.

Astronomy Festival
2019-04-13 15:00 - 21:00 | Brandi Fenton Park, 3482 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85718, United States
April 13, 2019 @ 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Astronomy Festival at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Telescopes, Exhibits, Fun!

Saturday, April 13 from 3 to 9 pm
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park Ramada
ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Hands-On Exhibits for Kids 3 to 6 PM
Safe Solar viewing of the Sun 3 to 6:30 PM
Night Sky Viewing 7:30 P.M to 9 PM
A Walk around the Night Sky Presentation at 8 PM
Kid-Friendly Scope viewing throughout the evening
Door Prizes will be given away at 7 PM – winners must be present
No charge for any activities, donations will be accepted.
Bring your own telescope for help setting it up and operating the scope.

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Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – April 2019
2019-04-11 18:30 - 20:30 | UA Education North Building, rm 110, 1501 E Speedway Blvd , Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Constellation of the Month:
Centaurus

Presenter: Kay Lehman

Kay Lehman will start the night with a talk about the southern constellation Centaurus.
Main Presentation:
Astronomy and The Onion
Presenter: Doug Smith

For our main topic, Doug Smith will be discussing Astronomy and The Onion.

Tucson Hebrew Academy
2019-04-07 10:00 - 14:00 | Tucson Hebrew Academy, 3888 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85718, United States
Solar Observing & NSN Toolkit for the annual Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) event.
THA STEM Event is open to the public.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have a couple telescopes to safely view the Sun throughout the event. We may also have an astronomy interactive activity as part of the STEM event.

General Meeting – April 2019
2019-04-05 18:30 - 21:00 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation
Title: Seasonal Night Sky Objects
Speaker: Mary Turner

Mary Turner, TAAA’s appointed Chief Observer, takes us on a tour of the spring night sky. As usual in her popular talks, Mary’s uses astronomical data, images, and mythology to bring seasonal changes in the sky to life.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: An Introduction to Slit-less Grating Spectroscopy
Speaker: Rhode Island native and retired Astronomy and Physics Professor David Iadevaia, has taught middle school/high school physical science/physics up through university astronomy. In 1983, he became Instrument Specialist for the Echelle spectrograph at the MMT on Mt. Hopkins. The next year, he began a 30-year teaching career at Pima Community College. His accomplishments there include designing the Professor Pima Portable Planetarium Program, and establishing Pima’s East Campus Observatory, the first teaching observatory in Arizona. In 1986, he received the Tucson Trade Bureau Outstanding Faculty Award. David has been a lifelong amateur astronomer and as a retiree he’s returning to his astronomy roots.

David will present an introduction to low resolution, slit-less grating spectroscopy. He’ll begin with a brief overview of the nature of light with such concepts as Wien’s Law and the Doppler Effect as they apply to spectroscopy. Spectra taken with a slit-less grating spectroscope will be shown, along with an explanation of how to interpret the data in spectra. David will talk about the equipment needed to capture spectra, and the software available to reduce a spectrum’s data for research. A brief overview of the growing international community of spectroscopists will be included.

Catalina State Park Star Party
2019-03-30 19:00 - 22:00 | 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/).

Chiricahua National Monument Astronomy Event
2019-03-23 06:30 - 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 either Echo Canyon or Faraway Ranch and will be updated as we get closer. A talk is scheduled before observing Bonita Campground Amphitheater at 6:30 pm with observing from 7:30 – 9:30 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.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – March 2019
2019-03-14 18:30 - 20:30 | UA Education North Building, rm 110, 1501 E Speedway Blvd , Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE UA EDUCATION NORTH BUILDING (ADDRESS AND MAP BELOW).

DETAILED LOCATION, PARKING AND ACCESSIBILITY INFO AVAILABLE ON THE AFSIG MAIN EVENT PAGE (FOUND ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE TAAA WEBSITE).
Constellation of the Month:
Carina

Presenter: Doug Smith

Doug Smith will be presenting Carina as the constellation of the month.
Main Presentation:
Black Holes
Presenter: Connor Justice

Connor Justice will be discussing Black Holes.

Oracle State Park Star Party
2019-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Star Party-Oracle State Park.
ORACLE
Viewing Location: Sidewalk along the Kannally Ranch House parking lot and on the Ranch House upper patio.
Information: Great dark skies in Oracle, north of Tucson. Star Party open to the Public. 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. Dress for cool nights. Recommend bringing small RED flashlights (regular flashlights restrict night vision and ability to view dim deep sky objects). Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).
Other events may also be scheduled. Check Oracle State Park Website for more detail.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2019-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Observing: 7 – 9 PM
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/).

Tucson Festival of Books
2019-03-03 08:30 - 17:00, 2019-03-02 08:30 - 17:00 | UA Mall, 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to safely view the Sun as well as interactive exhibits for families. Activities will be in the Science City Tent. Interactive activities will focus on the Moon and the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 Landing.
Activities from 8:30 am to 5 pm each day.
