Star Party at St. Francis in the Foothills Church
2025-03-29 19:15 - 21:00 (America/Phoenix) | St. Francis in the Foothills Church, 4625 E. River Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85718
Join TAAA for a Star Party at St. Francis Church in the Foothills Church, Tucson AZ Located near River Rd. and Swan Rd at 4625 E. River Road, this venue is well located for many in the central Tucson and Foothills communities.

Join us as we observe Planets (Many of the planets are now available in the earlly evening sky), Nebulas, Galaxies, and more! Viewing will be from 7:15pm to 9pm at the far north end of the parking lot. (Stay to the left all the way to the end).

Solar Telescope Observing @ Saguaro NP – East
2025-03-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Saguaro National Park EAST, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, 85730, United States
Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) and Saguaro National Park – East for some Sun gazing at the park. We will observe the Sun through telescopes with appropriate filters so you will get to see sunspots, prominences, flares, and more.The Sun is nearing its peak in the sunspot cycle so there is lots of activity on its surface.

This event is FREE and open to the public, no reservations required. NPS admission fees apply.

The telescopes will be set up at the Bicycle Ramada next to the Visitors Center.This event will most likely be canceled in the event of clouds/rain.

HYBRID – General Meeting – April 2025
2025-04-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Presentation: Making Sense of Strange New Exoplanets

The number of known exoplanets (planets outside the Solar System) grows daily. Over the past few decades, dedicated missions using both ground and space telescopes have discovered over 5,000 exoplanets, many of which seem unlike anything in our own Solar System. While such discovery missions aren’t new, our ability to study these worlds in detail has only recently been enabled by the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in late 2021. Over the past four years, JWST has opened powerful new windows into the atmospheres of extra-solar worlds, yielding unexpected findings and a richer understanding of the diversity of planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. Matthew Murphy will share a few of the most exciting recent discoveries about exoplanet atmospheres by JWST, led by a world-wide team of researchers, including Murphy and others at the University of Arizona. These include what appears to be a new class of planet, nonexistent in our own Solar System. In addition to these discoveries, JWST’s unique power enables researchers to peer into exoplanet atmospheres along new dimensions, and better comprehend their complexity. Matthew will tell the exciting story of how this works, and the discovery his team made as a result on a planet (WASP-107b) considered ‘strange’ to us.

Biography:

Matthew Murphy is a PhD candidate at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory. His work is dedicated to observing and studying the atmospheres of planets beyond our Solar System. Matthew is an expert in using the largest and most powerful telescopes around the world and in space, including the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope. He has published several scientific articles making new discoveries about exoplanets. Matthew will be graduating with his PhD later this year. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University in 2020.

Caption: Artist’s illustration of exoplanet WASP-107b

Artist: Rachael Amaro/University of Arizona

Stargazing at Agua Caliente Park
2025-04-05 19:30 - 21:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking LotInformation: 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: ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook)

FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. go to: https://bit.ly/ticketsEEThese events fill up fast so recommend registering early.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – April 2025
2025-04-10 18:30 - 20:00 | AZ
Main Presentation: History of Black Holes

Presenter: Connor Justice

This month, Connor Justice will be presenting on the history of Black Holes.

Astronomer of the month: Henry Russel

Presenter: Pete Hermes

Pete Hermes will be discussing Henry Russel for our Astronomer of the month.

Stargazing at Catalina State Park
2025-04-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States
Star Party at Catalina State Park – Tucson, AZViewing Location: At the Ringtail Group Area for the Star Party. (Public parking at the Gila Monster Group Area which is a 2-minute walk from the Ringtail Group Area)Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Catalina State Park.Star Party open to the Public. Admission fee for entrance into Catalina State Park.

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have approximately 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 ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook).

Additional details will be posted here and on Facebook as we get closer to the event.

Stargazing at Saguaro National Park – East
2025-04-25 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-31 20:00 - 22:00, 2025-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Saguaro National Park EAST, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, 85730, United States
Star Party – Saguaro National Park – East3693 S Old Spanish TrailTucson, AZ 85730

Great dark skies on the East side of Tucson at Saguaro National Park – East.Star Party is open to the Public. Event is free but NPS admission fees apply.

The 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: Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook

Stargazing at Oracle State Park
2025-04-26 19:30 - 21:30 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House

Star Party telescope viewing (7:30 – 9:30pm)

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ 85623Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Oracle State Park apply.

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will be observing the Moon + Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, and Star Clusters.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 event page: TAAA Facebook Events page

Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information and activities that day:Star Party at Oracle State Park | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)

HYBRID – General Meeting – May 2025
2025-05-02 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: OSIRIS-REx: Bennu’s Secrets Unveiled

On September 2023, the OSIRIS-REx mission successfully delivered a pristine sample from asteroid Bennu to Earth, marking a significant milestone in planetary science. In this talk, Dr. Lauretta presents the latest findings from his team’s studies, including the sample’s mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic properties, which confirm Bennu’s rich organic content and evidence of significant aqueous alteration. These are the result of his team’s comprehensive analyses of the returned material, revealing new insights into the early solar system and the processes that shaped planetary bodies. The new data not only advances our understanding of Bennu’s formation and history, but also offers clues about the origins of life on Earth. Join him as he explores how this mission’s groundbreaking discoveries are reshaping our understanding of the solar system’s evolution and our place within it.

Biography: Dante Lauretta

Dante Lauretta grew up in Arizona and received a B.S. in physics and mathematics and a B.A. in Oriental Studies with a focus in Japanese from the University of Arizona in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Earth and planetary sciences from Washington University in St. Louis in 1997. He is currently a Regents Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Lauretta is the leader of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. The spacecraft launched in September 2016 to begin its journey to Bennu, a carbon-rich, near Earth asteroid. The spacecraft rendezvoused with Bennu in 2018, and returned with a sample of the asteroid in 2023. Dr. Lauretta leads research about Bennu, and maintains an active research program in Cosmochemistry and Meteoritics. He is Director of the Arizona Astrobiology Center.

Evening Under the Stars @ Chiricahua Astronomy Complex
2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Chiricahua Astronomy Complex, 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ, 85625, United States
Semi-Annual Chiricahua Astronomy Complex Evening Under the Stars Saturday May 3, 2025. Address is: 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ. We will be observing planets, galaxies, star clusters, multiple star systems, Nebulae, and lots more. Come join us for the free event. The gate will be open at 7 pm. To register for this FREE event, please email John at euts[at]tucsonastronomy.org with name, # in your party, and # of vehicles.

Stargazing @ Picacho Peak State Park
2025-05-03 20:00 - 22:00 | Picacho Peak State Park, 15520 Picacho Peak Rd, Picacho, AZ, 85141
Truely dark skies at a scenic location – Picacho Peak State ParkStar Party is open to the Public. Event is free but park admission fees apply.

The 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 at a really dark location.

Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/events

CANCELLED – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – May 2025
2025-05-08 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
TBD

Stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park
2025-05-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ, 85640, United States
Join TAAA and the National Park Service for an evening of stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park . Address below.The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) will have several telescopes with operators for astronomical viewing in front of the Old Mission.

We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes.

Event is free, no reservations required, but NPS admission fees apply.

Weather dependent, check back here prior to event for possible updates on day of event.

Stargazing at Tucson Mountain Park – Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area
2025-05-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area, 2000 N Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Star Party @ Tucson Mountain Park – Juan Santa Cruz Picnic AreaTucson, AZ (right next to Sonoran Desert Museum)

Viewing Location: Small side loop on East side of main loop.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: TAAA Facebook Events page

Event is FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Go to this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/MayStargazingThese events may fill up early.

HYBRID – General Meeting – June 2025
2025-06-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Total Solar Eclipse from Egypt: August 2, 2027

Imagine nearly 6½ minutes of darkness in a location where clouds are almost impossible. Add to that exploring one of the greatest civilizations ever. It’s not a dream, it’s going to happen. And you can be there. The duration of totality in 2027 won’t be surpassed until 2114, so calling it the BIG ONE isn’t an exaggeration. In his talk, Michael will detail the eclipse and invite you to observe this spectacular event surrounded by the archaeological treasures of Egypt.

Biography: Michael E. Bakich

Michael E. Bakich was Senior Editor of Astronomy magazine for 17 years before retiring in 2019. He and his wife, Holley, then realized their lifelong dream and moved to Tucson. Then, in 2024, the magazine was sold and Michael began working there again, from home. Michael has traveled to 16 total solar eclipses and authored four books on solar eclipses.

Caption: Solar Eclipse at TotalityCredit: voxvine.com/nasa

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – JUNE 2025
2025-06-12 18:30 - 20:00 | AZ
Main Presentation: Variable Stars

Presenter: Connor Justice

This month, Connor Justice will be presenting on Variable Stars for our main topic.

Astronomer of the month: Halton Arp

Presenter: Stephen Ferris

Stephen Ferris will be discussing Halton Arp for our ongoing Astronomer of the Month.

Stargazing at Oracle State Park
2025-06-14 20:00 - 22:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House

Star Party telescope viewing (8:00 – 10:00pm)

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ 85623Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Oracle State Park apply.

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will be observing the Moon + Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, and Star Clusters.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 event page: TAAA Facebook Events page

Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information and activities that day:Star Party at Oracle State Park | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – July 2025
2025-07-10 18:30 - 20:00 | AZ
Main Presentation: Variable Stars

Presenter: Connor Justice

After a last-minute cancellation in June, Connor Justice will be presenting the main topic on Variable Stars.

HYBRID – General Meeting – July 2025
2025-07-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Beyond the First Look at The NSF-DOE Vera Rubin Observatory

The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory recently released a first look at a sampling of data products, and now is preparing to begin a ten-year survey of the southern skies. The Legacy Survey of Space and Time will produce unprecedented amounts of data for many different types of science.

Using the largest camera ever built, Rubin will repeatedly scan the sky from its location in Chilé and create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition, time-lapse record of our Universe. This will yield a treasure trove of discoveries: asteroids and comets, pulsating stars, and supernova explosions, as well as an immense amount of previously-undetected stars and galaxies.

With Rubin data we will come to understand our Universe better, chronicle its evolution, delve into the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter, and reveal answers to questions we have yet to imagine. Ardis Herrold’s presentation will offer information on the telescope, its science, and the ways everyone can explore the Rubin data itself. Learn what is happening right now, during commissioning (between first photons and the start of the survey), as well as how educators and citizen scientist projects

Biography: Ardis Herrold

Ardis Herrold is the Senior Education Specialist for the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Formerly a high school teacher, Ardis was hired to design and lead the education program for Rubin. In this role, she works on designing and testing data-based classroom investigations, and provides teacher training and support. Ardis is an amateur astronomer and has been a member of TAAA since 2017.

Image credit Hernan Stockebrand.

Caption: Rubin Observatory stands on Cerro Pachón in Chile against a sky full of star trails in this long exposure night sky image.

HYBRID – General Meeting – August 2025
2025-08-01 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: TAAA Outreach, Inspiring Future Generations

Bernie Stinger, Jim Knoll, and Terri Lappin will share the TAAA Outreach program and how you can become involved to educate our youth and community residents about the astronomical wonders of the universe. The team will then outline a new volunteer outreach award program.

Biographies: Bernie Stinger, Jim Knoll, and Terri Lappin

Bernie Stinger manages the TAAA School and Public program, leading a team of over 60 volunteers and averaging 15-20 events/month. Jim Knoll manages the Tucson Stargazing Adventures private event program with a team of around 15 and averaging around 10 events/month. Terri Lappin leads the Starry Messenger Special Interest Group (SMSIG) supporting TAAA involvement in the Tucson Festival of Books and hosting the TAAA Astronomy Festival. Her team of about 10 volunteers also provides Night Sky Network Toolkits for an average of 3 school events/month during the school year.

Caption: Tucson Astronomy Festival 2025

Credit: Jim Knoll

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – August 2025
2025-08-14 18:30 - 20:00 | AZ
Title: Astronomer tools before the Telescope

Presenter: Connor Justice

Connor Justice will be presenting on Astronomer tools before the Telescope.

Title: Astronomer of the Month Sara Seager

Presenter: Pete Hermes

Pete Hermes will be highlighting Sara Seager for our Astronomer of the Month.

HYBRID – General Meeting – September 2025
2025-09-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – September 2025
2025-09-11 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Title: Open floor topic

Presenter: Connor Justice

This month will be an open floor topic. Attendees are suggested to bring an Astronomy related current event new article. The intent being that you can either share an article about something you found learned (or otherwise found interesting. Alternatively, you can bring an article that you had difficulty understanding and the group will try and help explain it.

If you do intend to bring an article, please be prepared to share a link to it as well within the zoom meeting so that others can read it at their own pace and I can include the articles in the YouTube video description.

Stargazing at Agua Caliente Park
2025-09-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking LotInformation: 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: ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook)

FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. These events fill up fast so recommend registering early.

To 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.

Stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park
2025-09-19 19:15 - 21:15 | Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ, 85640, United States
Join TAAA and the National Park Service for an evening of stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park . Address below.The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) will have several telescopes with operators for astronomical viewing in front of the Old Mission.

We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes.

Event is free, no reservations required, but NPS admission fees apply.

Weather dependent, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook event page: TAAA Facebook Events page for weather updates on day of event.

Stargazing at Oracle State Park
2025-09-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House

Acoustic guitar and American folk songs (6pm – 7pm)

Star Party telescope viewing (7:00 – 9:00pm)

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ 85623Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Oracle State Park apply.

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will be observing the Moon + Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, and Star Clusters.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 event page: TAAA Facebook Events page

Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information and activities that day:Star Party at Oracle State Park | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)

HYBRID – General Meeting – October 2025
2025-10-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: “The Search for Life on Exoplanets”

Telescopic facilities capable of searching for signs of life on exoplanets orbiting other stars are coming online just as experiments simulating the emergence of life on Earth are making revolutionary discoveries. Dr. Sukrit Ranjan will discuss recent progress towards both goals, with emphasis on new opportunities unveiled by the James Webb Space Telescope and the future planned Habitable Worlds Observatory, NASA’s proposed infrared/optic/ultraviolet space telescope to primarily search for exoplanets in the habitable zones of stars.

Biography:

Sukrit is a planetary scientist focused on questions related to the origin of life on Earth and the search for life on other worlds. These questions are coupled: efforts to understand the origin of life on Earth helps guide our search for it elsewhere in the cosmos, while observations of other planets help us test our theories of the prebiotic environment and of abiogenesis. To understand abiogenesis, he works to constrain the palette of environmental conditions from which life arose on Earth, to guide experimental studies of the origin of life. To search for life elsewhere, he works to determine observational tests by which life on other worlds may be remotely discriminated. Sukrit completed his PhD in Astronomy & Astrophysics at Harvard University, followed by a SCOL postdoctoral fellowship at MIT EAPS and a CIERA postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern. He completed his undergraduate work at MIT in physics. More information about Sukrit is available at his faculty profile here: https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/faculty/sukrit-ranjan

Dr. Sukrit Ranjan
