Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party
2018-02-24 18:30 - 20:30, 2018-03-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2018-04-14 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Phoenix) | 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/).

General Meeting – March 2018
2018-03-02 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: Astronomy Services Revitalization Plan
Presenter: TAAA’s Astronomy Services Redesign Team
The Astronomy Services (a.k.a. Paid Star Party) Program is critical to the on-going health and welfare of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Learn about the redesign of the program, from a single Coordinator to a Team approach and how you can help take this program into the future while securing the financial wellbeing of TAAA!
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Exoplanet Atmospheres on the Cutting Edge of Astronomy
Presenter: Joshua Lothringer, PHD Candidate at The University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Lab. Josh received his BA in Astrophysics at the University of Colorado, where he worked at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) on space missions including MAVEN and Kepler.
The discovery and characterization of exoplanets has become one of the fastest growing fields in astronomy. With thousands of planets discovered and dozens beginning to be spectroscopically characterized, we are starting to realize what makes our solar system special. Joshua will present his efforts to understand the atmospheres of exoplanets through observations with the Hubble Space Telescope of a Neptune-sized exoplanet, one of the smallest planets yet characterized. He will describe what his computer modeling has uncovered about the atmospheres of the hottest known exoplanets. And he will share how he has turned his passion for exoplanets into art.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – March 2018
2018-03-08 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. Doug Smith will tell us about the Astro League’s “Analemma Observing Club”. The “Constellation of the Month” is “Canis Minor”, presented by Gus Gomez.

Tucson Festival of Books
2018-03-10 09:00 - 17:30, 2018-03-11 09:00 - 17:30 | UA Mall, 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Join the TAAA as well as many other organizations who are taking part in the UA Science City which is part of the Tucson Festival of Books. There will be lots of hands-on science stuff for kids (and adults) to do. Admission is free.

Tucson Hebrew Academ STEM Event
2018-03-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Tucson Hebrew Academy, 3888 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85718, United States
The Tucson Hebrew Academy will host a public STEM event with many exhibitors. TAAA will support with Solar telescopes and Night Sky Network Toolkits demonstrating astronomy concepts.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2018-03-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Setup: 6:30 PM
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. 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 Star Party
2018-03-24 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.

General Meeting – April 2018
2018-04-06 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: TAAA Grand Canyon Star Party; its value and current need
Presenter: Jim O’Connor, TAAA Grand Canyon Star Party South Rim Coordinator

Learn about this year’s TAAA Grand Canyon Star Party (GCSP) on June 9-16, 2018. Thanks to planning by the GCSP South Rim Coordinator and the National Park Service Ranger Leader, and the many participants who attend, the public gains a rich education in astronomy and environmental awareness. Jim will discuss our current need for his successor as TAAA GCSP Coordinator, and share some stories that highlight the joys of participating in astronomy outreach. As he says, “you never know what life you’ll touch, or who might touch yours.” Further information about TAAA and the Grand Canyon Star Party can be found at http://tucsonastronomy.org/upcoming-events/grand-canyon-star-party/.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Volcanic Activity in the Solar System and the Frontier of Exovolcanology
Presenter: Dr. Christopher Hamilton, Assistant Professor, Lunar and Planetary Lab, University of Arizona

Volcanic activity on Earth is primarily controlled by plate tectonics, with additional Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) fed by mantle plumes. LIPs are common on terrestrial bodies throughout the Solar System, but without plate tectonics, volcanism differs vastly on extraterrestrial worlds. Dr. Hamilton’s presentation compares and contrasts styles of volcanism within our Solar System, and their implications for our detecting and understanding highly volcanic exoplanets in other solar systems.

Catalina State Park
2018-04-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States
Star Party-Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
Observing: 7 – 10 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. 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 star party on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – April 2018
2018-04-12 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Main Presentation:
Hands on German Equatorial Mount
Presenter: Conner Justice
Come join us for a presentation from the fundamentals of amateur astronomy. Conner Justice will present “Hands on German Equatorial Mount”.
Constellation of the Month:
Lupus
Presenter: Rob Hallberg

The “Constellation of the Month” is “Lupus”, presented by Rob Hallberg.

Future Innovators Night @ TCC
2018-04-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Tucson Convention Center, 260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85701, United States
Evening Telescope observing supporting SARSEF Future Innovators Night. Telescopes will be set up near the gate shack at the entrance to the south parking lot.

Chiricahua National Monument Star Party
2018-04-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Chiricahua National Monument, 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ, 85643, United States
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the Chiricahua National Monument for an exciting evening of Stargazing under some incredibly dark skies. Observing will be at either the Faraway Ranch or Echo Canyon from 7:30 – 9:30. There will also be a talk at the Campground starting about 6:45 PM. We’ll get some amazing views of planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and lot more.

International Wildlife Museum 30th Anniversary Celebration
2018-04-21 10:00 - 16:00 | International Wildlife Museum, 4800 W Gates Pass Rd., Tucson, AZ, 85745, United States
Solar Viewing and Night Sky Network Toolkit Exhibit for Annual International Wildlife Museum Outdoors Day and 30th Anniversary.

Marana Under the Stars
2018-04-21 16:00 - 21:00 | Ora Mae Harn Park, 13250 N Lon Adams Rd, Marana, AZ, 85653, United States
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) will be part of the Marana “Camping” under the Stars event. We will have solar and evening telescopes setup for participants to view some amazing deep-sky objects.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2018-04-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Setup: 6:30 PM
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. Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Astronomy Festival
2018-04-22 15:00 - 21:00 | Brandi Fenton Park, 3482 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85718, United States
Astronomy Festival at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Telescopes, Exhibits, Fun!

Sunday, April 22 from 3 to 9 pm
Brandi Fenton Memorial Park RamadaASTRONOMY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Hands-On Exhibits for Kids 3 to 6 P.M.
Safe Solar viewing of the Sun 3 to 6:30 P.M.
Night Sky Viewing 7:30 P.M to 9 P.M.

A Walk around the Night Sky Presentation at 8 P.M.
Kid-Friendly Scope viewing throughout the evening
Door Prizes will be given away at 7 P.M. – winners must be presentNo charge for any activities, donations will be accepted.

Autism Fair
2018-04-28 07:30 - 12:30 | Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ, 85713, United States
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have some Solar Telescopes to safely view our star The Sun. We will look for Prominences, Flares, Sunspots, and other activities happening on the Sun. The Fair will be set up on the concourse of the Kino Sports Complex. There will be lots of activities and booths supporting Autism and Science.

Intermountain Center @ Flandrau Science Center
2018-05-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Flandrau Science Center, 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Star Party supporting the Intermountain Center @ Flandrau Science Center. The event will feature a talk by Dante Lauretta, Professor of Planetary Science and Cosmochemistry at the U of A. The event will go from 5:30 – 8:30 pm with the star party on the UA Mall south of Flandrau from 7:30 – 9:30. For more information, see the Intermountain Center website: http://intermountaincenters.org/.

General Meeting – May 2018
2018-05-04 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: Seasonal Night Sky Objects
Presenter: 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 use of astronomical data, images, and mythology brings the seasonal changes in the sky to life.,
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Gravitational Waves and Things that Go Boom in the Night or The Start Of The Age of Multi-Messenger Astronomy
Presenter: Dr. David Sand. Dr. Sand received his undergraduate degree in Physics from UCLA and his PhD in Physics from Caltech. He is now an Assistant Professor in Astronomy at the University of Arizona, and an observational astrophysicist with many interests. He is particularly interested in time domain astronomy (how astronomical objects change in time), especially in the progenitors of supernova. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors with his wife Debbie and daughter Delilah .

In his presentation, Dr. Sand talks about the ‘time domain’ revolution in astronomy, and how we are finding new ways to study stars that merge, burp and explode by looking at their imprints on space-time via gravitational waves. He will highlight recent results on the gravitational wave detection of the merger of two neutron stars, and look to the future of this field. Dr. Sand’s interest in things that go bump in the night led to his team’s search for electromagnetic counterparts to gravitational waves.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – May 2018
2018-05-10 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. Bill Clarke will be discussing Home-made AltAz mounts and Gus Gomez will be showing us the constellation Corvus.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2018-05-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Setup: 7 PM
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. 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 – June 2018
2018-06-01 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: Variable Stars, the AAVSO and the Astronomical League
Speaker: Douglas Smith

Douglas Smith will present a history of Variable Star observing and discoveries, the importance of this work. A description of what a variable star is and the process that causes the variability. He will discuss the AAVSO and their purpose and look at their website. He will also discuss the Astronomical League’s three observing programs for variable stars.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Train Wrecks Across Time: A History of Galaxy Mergers
Speaker: Barry Rothberg, Ph.D., Large Binocular
Telescope Observatory

The collision and merging of galaxies is one of the most violent events in the Universe. Galaxy mergers are far from rare, and are responsible for reshaping and creating galaxies, forming millions of new stars, enriching and forging new elements, and birthing and fueling the most powerful and destructive engines in the known Universe. But galaxy mergers have not only reshaped the Universe over the last 13 billion years, but have served as a means of reshaping humanity’s understanding of astronomy and physics. In this presentation, we will start on a journey beginning several centuries earlier, and see how galactic train wrecks have helped further the development of astronomical optics, altered and remade our basic understanding of physics, and inspired astronomers to see how the Universe is both vast and ever expanding. We will also see how galaxy mergers will impact our own future. Our Milky Way galaxy and one of our galactic neighbors, the Andromeda galaxy, are hurtling towards each other, destined to collide and eventually merge. Our understanding how galaxy mergers occur and their outcome will serve as a means of seeing our own inevitable future.

Grand Canyon Star Party
2018-06-09 - 2018-06-16 | Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023, United States

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – June 2018
2018-06-14 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Main Presentation:
Jupiter and it’s Moons
Presenter: Stephen Ferris

Stephen Ferris will discuss Jupiter and it’s Moons for our main presentation.
Constellation of the Month:
Crux
Presenter: Doug Smith

Doug Smith will start the evening off with a talk on the southern constellation Crux.
About the Astronomy Fundamentals SIG
The Astronomy Fundamentals Special Interest Group, is for all TAAA members, both new and old, who want to learn about and share the multiple aspects of the hobby.
Meeting Location
The USGS Building is on the northeast corner of Park and 6th Street. Free parking is available nearby after 5pm.
Contact Connor Justice at fundamentals[at]tucsonastronomy.org

Elfriday Library
2018-06-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Elfrida Library, 10552 N Hwy 191, Elfrida, AZ, 85610, United States
Star Party-Elfrida Library
ELFRIDA, AZ
Viewing Location: Outside the Library
Estimated # Participants: 25
Come join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for some evening viewing of some exciting astronomy wonders. We will have telescopes setup outside the Library to view some planets, star clusters, multiple star systems, nebulae, and lots more.

Vail Stargazing Celebration
2018-07-01 20:00 - 21:30 | Vail Lutheran Church, 14600 E Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, AZ, 85641, United States
This will be a star gazing event that will be part of A Colossal Fourth. A Colossal Fourth is the name for a series of events taking place over the week of July 4th.
Observing: 8 – 9:30 pm
Viewing Location: Vail Lutheran Church, south of the buildings

General Meeting – July 2018
2018-07-06 18:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Topics to be determined.
