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PRODID:-//Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
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BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Phoenix
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:MST
DTSTART:20180101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200421T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200421T213000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20200417T215114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200422T023951Z
UID:3940-1587499200-1587504600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:VIRTUAL Star Party
DESCRIPTION: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\nTAAA 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.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/virtual-star-party/
LOCATION:AZ
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200314T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200314T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190811T194336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T194407Z
UID:3445-1584212400-1584219600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Oracle State Park Stargazing
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Oracle State Park\nTucson\, AZ\nViewing Location: Kannally Ranch House\nInformation: 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.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/oracle-state-park-stargazing/
LOCATION:Oracle State Park\, 3820 E Wildlife Dr.\, Oracle\, AZ\, 85623\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200314T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200314T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190811T182717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T182717Z
UID:3430-1584212400-1584219600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Agua Caliente Park Stargazing
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Agua Caliente Park\nTucson\, AZ (Northeast)\nViewing Location:  Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking Lot\nInformation: 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/).
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/agua-caliente-park-stargazing-2/
LOCATION:Agua Caliente Park\, 12325 E Roger Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85749\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200312T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200312T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20200115T181611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200115T181612Z
UID:3677-1584039600-1584046800@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Saguaro National Park EAST Monthly Astronomy Event
DESCRIPTION:TAAA Support to the Saguaro National Park EAST monthly astronomy event. \nJoin park naturalists for an introduction to astronomy and a look at the desert night sky. Telescopes and binoculars will be available. Reservations are required. Call the Visitor Center at (520) 733-5153. Accessible Program. \nObserving and talk will be at the Visitor Center from 7 – 9 pm.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/saguaro-national-park-east-monthly-astronomy-event-2/
LOCATION:Saguaro National Park EAST\, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85730\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200312T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200312T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20200204T042919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200403T054531Z
UID:3698-1584037800-1584045000@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – March 2020
DESCRIPTION:Constellation of the Month:\nAuriga\nPresenter:  Gus Gomez\n \nGus Gomez will be presenting Auriga for the constellation of the month. \nMain Presentation: \nDiscussion on Equipment Modifications\nPresenter:\n \nOur main topic will be an open discussion on equipment modifications that members have done to enhance their viewing sessions. \n 
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/astronomy-fundamentals-meeting-march-2020/
LOCATION:Tucson City Council Ward 6\, 3202 E. 1st Street\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200306T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200306T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20200204T042529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200223T074643Z
UID:3697-1583519400-1583528400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:General Meeting – March 2020
DESCRIPTION:6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation\nTitle:  The Astronomical League and TAAA’s Astronomy Fundamentals Class\nSpeakers:  Doug Smith and JD Metzger\n \nTAAA member Doug Smith talks about The Astronomical League\, and TAAA member JD Metzger talks about  TAAA’s Astronomy Fundamentals Class. \n7:30 pm – Main Presentation\nTitle:  Using Light Echoes as Time Machines\nSpeaker:  Jennifer Andrews is an observational astronomer interested in massive stars and the violent explosions that signal the end of their lives.  She has been at Steward Observatory for the past few years\, and spends a lot of her time observing supernovae and other transients with telescopes in Southern Arizona.  Jennifer received her PhD at Louisiana State University\, and prior to moving to Tucson she worked as a postdoc at the University of Massachusetts \nThe great eruption of the massive star Eta Carinae in the mid-1800s was a spectacular astronomical event\, when it likely ejected a mass of material 10 – 20 times that of the Sun\, and was visible to the naked eye. Until recently the only observations of that eruption were historical visual estimates of Eta Carinae’s brightness and color. Thanks to our evolving ability to use light echoes (LEs) we can now re-examine the event. As some light from Eta Carinae’s eruption traveled directly toward us and was observed in the 1800s\, light directed away from us was scattered off dust\, and we are finally observing it today as a light echo. Over the past decade we have been obtaining imaging and spectroscopy of these echoes with telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere\, enabling us to reconstruct Eta Carinae’s physical state prior to and during the great eruption.  Jennifer will discuss these observations and what they reveal about one of the most enigmatic massive stars in the Milky Way
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/general-meeting-march-2020/
LOCATION:Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210)\, 933 N Cherry Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85721\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200222T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200222T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190811T192946Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T192946Z
UID:3437-1582396200-1582403400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Stargazing
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area\nTucson\, AZ (West)\nViewing Location:  Second Restroom area  approximately 3/4 of the way in on Hal Gras Road.\nInformation: 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/).
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/tucson-mountain-park-ironwood-picnic-stargazing-2/
LOCATION:Ironwood Picnic\, 7300 W Hal gras Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85735\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200220T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200220T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20200115T181453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200115T181811Z
UID:3675-1582225200-1582232400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Saguaro National Park EAST Monthly Astronomy Event
DESCRIPTION:TAAA Support to the Saguaro National Park EAST monthly astronomy event. \nJoin park naturalists for an introduction to astronomy and a look at the desert night sky. Telescopes and binoculars will be available. Reservations are required. Call the Visitor Center at (520) 733-5153. Accessible Program. \nObserving and talk will be at the Visitor Center from 7 – 9 pm.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/saguaro-national-park-east-monthly-astronomy-event/
LOCATION:Saguaro National Park EAST\, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85730\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200215T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200215T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191108T025929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191108T025929Z
UID:3594-1581775200-1581800400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Tucson Star Party
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/tucson-star-party/
LOCATION:Pima Community College East\, 8181 E Irvington Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200213T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200213T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191220T013243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200225T085049Z
UID:3640-1581618600-1581625800@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – February 2020
DESCRIPTION:Constellation of the Month:\nAuriga\nPresenter:  Gus Gomez\n \nGus Gomez will be presenting Auriga for the constellation of the month. \nMain Presentation: \nDiscussion on Equipment Modifications\nPresenter:\n \nOur main topic will be an open discussion on equipment modifications that members have done to enhance their viewing sessions.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/astronomy-fundamentals-meeting-february-2020/
LOCATION:Tucson City Council Ward 6\, 3202 E. 1st Street\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200207T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200207T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191220T012913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200120T063624Z
UID:3639-1581100200-1581109200@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:General Meeting – February 2020
DESCRIPTION:6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation\nTitle:  Member Planet Database Update\nSpeaker:  David Rosetter\n \nTAAA member\, David Rosetter\, in charge of the TAAA Member Planet system\, (which manages the TAAA member database)\, will talk about expanded web benefits for TAAA members and provide information on the web options available. Bring any questions you have on how to best access TAAA information. \n7:30 pm – Main Presentation\nTitle:  A Tale of Two Galaxies\nSpeaker:  Dr. Knut Olsen is a staff astronomer at the National Science Foundation’s Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory\,  based in Tucson.  Born in Norway\, he moved to the U.S. at a young age and quickly developed a fascination for astronomy.  He worked on the Magellanic Clouds as part of his Ph.D. thesis\, and continued his exploration of them while living and working in La Serena\, Chile\, where the Clouds are naked eye objects.  He moved to Tucson in 2007. \nDr. Olsen will present a personal story of how a chance observing run kicked off more than a decade of exploration of and discovery in the Magellanic Clouds\, two of our most prominent neighbor galaxies.  The Magellanic Clouds have been key to establishing the extragalactic distance scale\, played a seminal role in the discovery of Dark Energy\, and are causing us to adjust our view of the Milky Way.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/general-meeting-february-2020/
LOCATION:Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210)\, 933 N Cherry Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85721\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200201T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200201T213000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190811T193610Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T193610Z
UID:3442-1580581800-1580592600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Catalina State Park Stargazing
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Catalina State Park\nTucson\, AZ\nViewing Location: Trailhead Picnic area at end of road inside the park.\nInformation: 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/).
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/catalina-state-park-stargazing/
LOCATION:Catalina State Park\, 11570 N Oracle Rd\, Catalina\, AZ\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200125T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200125T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190811T192811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T192811Z
UID:3436-1579975200-1579982400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Stargazing
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area\nTucson\, AZ (West)\nViewing Location:  Second Restroom area  approximately 3/4 of the way in on Hal Gras Road.\nInformation: 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/).
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/tucson-mountain-park-ironwood-picnic-stargazing/
LOCATION:Ironwood Picnic\, 7300 W Hal gras Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85735\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200109T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200109T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191112T053636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200107T041258Z
UID:3604-1578594600-1578601800@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – January 2020
DESCRIPTION:Constellation of the Month:\nStill To Be Determined \nPresenter:\n \nThe constellation of the month has not yet been determined. \nMain Presentation: \nTelescope Maintenance\nPresenter: Doug Smith\n \nDoug Smith will be giving the main topic on Telescope Maintenance.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/astronomy-fundamentals-meeting-january-2020/
LOCATION:Tucson City Council Ward 6\, 3202 E. 1st Street\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200103T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20200103T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191112T053418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191220T012329Z
UID:3603-1578076200-1578085200@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:General Meeting – January 2020
DESCRIPTION:6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation\nTitle:  Seasonal Night Sky Objects\nSpeaker:  Mary Turner\, PhD\n \nMary Turner\, TAAA’s appointed Chief Observer\, takes us on a tour of the winter night sky. Dr. Turner’s use of astronomical data\, images\, and mythology will bring seasonal changes in the sky to life\, as always in her popular quarterly talks. \n7:30 pm – Main Presentation\nTitle:  New Technologies to Search for Exoplanets with Space Telescopes Large and Small\nSpeaker:  Ewan Douglas joined the University of Arizona Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory in the Spring of 2019 as an assistant professor. His research focuses on space instrumentation\, wavefront sensing and control\, and high-contrast imaging of extrasolar planets and debris disks\, and small spacecraft such as CubeSats. Dr. Douglas graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelors in Physics in 2008. He worked for a year at the Hanford Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory before attending graduate school at Boston University\, where he received a PhD from the Astronomy Department in 2016 followed by a postdoc in the MIT Space\, Telecommunications\, Astronomy\, and Radiation Laboratory. \nDr. Douglas’ talk will focus on his ongoing work in the University of Arizona’s Space Astrophysics Lab (UASAL) to leverage low-cost spacecraft such as CubeSats\, sounding rockets\, and SmallSats\, so that they efficiently and effectively\, as well as relatively inexpensively\, advance the technologies needed to image Earth-sized planets and asteroid belts around other stars. With Dr. Douglas’ work in cutting edge technologies\, and ability to simplify complicated topics\, TAAA’s first main presentation of 2020 promises to be interesting to all.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/general-meeting-january-2020/
LOCATION:Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210)\, 933 N Cherry Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85721\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191228T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191228T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190422T213352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190422T213352Z
UID:3280-1577556000-1577563200@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area\nTucson\, AZ (West)\nViewing Location:  Second Restroom area  approximately 3/4 of the way in on Hal Gras Road.\nInformation: 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/).
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/tucson-mountain-park-ironwood-picnic-area-star-party-12/
LOCATION:Ironwood Picnic\, 7300 W Hal gras Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85735\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191212T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191212T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191112T053127Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191112T053127Z
UID:3602-1576175400-1576182600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – December 2019
DESCRIPTION:Topics to be determined.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/astronomy-fundamentals-meeting-december-2019/
LOCATION:U.S.G.S. Building\, 520 North Park Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191211T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191211T193000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190422T214426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T171604Z
UID:3284-1576085400-1576092600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Murphy-Wilmot Library Evening Stargazing
DESCRIPTION:Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and the Murphy-Wilmot Library for an evening of stargazing.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/murphy-wilmot-library-evening-stargazing/
LOCATION:Murphy-Wilmot Library\, 530 N Wilmot Road\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85711\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191206T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191206T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20191112T052605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191112T053209Z
UID:3601-1575657000-1575666000@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:General Meeting – December 2019
DESCRIPTION:6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation\nTitle:  Minor Policy Updates\, Review and Training\nSpeaker:  Mae Smith\, TAAA President \nTAAA President Mae Smith will give a presentation on the group’s Minor Policy updates\, review and training. Minor Policy procedures are to be fully enacted throughout TAAA by January 1\, 2020. Mae’s talk will include updates on any changes to the policy\, reviews of responsibilities of members and leaders\, and review of the procedures for TAAA members involved in the different TAAA activities. Attendance at this meeting will count as training in the fundamental minor policy course for TAAA leaders and members and as the required annual review for leaders who previously took the training. \n7:30 pm – Main Presentation\nTitle: Remote Observatory Operation\, the good\, the bad\, and the ugly: or what can go wrong with your observatory?\nSpeaker: Tim Hunter has been an amateur astronomer since 1950\, and he is the owner of two observatories\, the 3towers Observatory and the Grasslands Observatory (http://www.3towers.com). He also considers himself “a prime example of someone whose hobby has run amok\, spending more time and money on it than common sense would dictate.” Tim has been the President of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association\, Inc. (TAAA) and a member of the TAAA since 1975. He is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Planetary Science Institute (PSI). For decades\, he has been interested in the growing problem of light pollution. In 1987\, he and Dr. David Crawford founded the International Dark-Sky Association\, Inc. (IDA). IDA is a nonprofit corporation devoted to promoting quality outdoor lighting and combatting the effects of light pollution. \nTim’s talk to TAAA will describe his experience owning and operating the Grasslands Observatory near Sonoita\, Arizona. As Tim explains: “The observatory was founded in 1987 and evolved from a mainly visual use facility to three remotely operated telescopes used for astrophotography.” He will illustrate the evolution of the observatory\, and discuss remote telescopic operations in general and how his three telescopes—a PlaneWave CDK24 24-inch f/6.5 telescope\, an ASA 20-inch f/3.6 telescope\, and a Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8 telescope—are remotely operated from Tucson and used for various astrophotographic projects. As Tim explains\, “Remote telescope operation is quite possible and offers great convenience with respect to travel and sleeping. It comes with considerable costs including monetary as well as the need for constant attention to maintain the operation. Things can and will go wrong. One must be prepared to respond to the gravest of contingencies at a remote location in the darkest hours of the night. “
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/xxx-2/
LOCATION:Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210)\, 933 N Cherry Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85721\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191114T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191114T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190911T082328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191112T050911Z
UID:3508-1573756200-1573763400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – November 2019
DESCRIPTION:Constellation of the Month:\nAra and Columba\n\nPresenter:  Connor Justice\n \nConnor Justice will start the night with the constellations Ara and Columba.  \nMain Presentation:\nAtacama Large Millimeter Array\nPresenter:  Vince Baker\n \nFor our main topic\, Vince Baker will be discussing Atacama Large Millimeter Array.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/astronomy-fundamentals-meeting-november-2019/
LOCATION:U.S.G.S. Building\, 520 North Park Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191111T073000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191111T113000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190422T214232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191007T014610Z
UID:3283-1573457400-1573471800@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Mercury Transit Across the Sun
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/mercury-transit-across-the-sun-2/
LOCATION:Brandi Fenton Park\, 3482 E River Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85718\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191106T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191106T190000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190928T215433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190930T153304Z
UID:3550-1573059600-1573066800@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Valencia Library Telescope Dedication & Star Party
DESCRIPTION:A Star Party to dedicate the Lonny Baker TAAA Telescope for Library patrons to use. A Star Party using the Orion telescope will follow a short ceremony.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/valencia-library-telescope-dedication-star-party/
LOCATION:Valencia Library\, 202 W Valencia Road\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85706\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191104T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191104T190000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190928T215124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190928T215155Z
UID:3548-1572886800-1572894000@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Golf Links Library Telescope Dedication Star Party
DESCRIPTION:A Star Party to dedicate the Horheimer TAAA Telescope for Library patrons to use. A Star Party using the Zhumell telescope will follow a short ceremony.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/golf-links-library-telescope-dedication-star-party/
LOCATION:Miller-Golf Links Library\, 9640 E Golf Links Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85730\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191102T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191102T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190422T213248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190422T213248Z
UID:3279-1572719400-1572726600@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party
DESCRIPTION:Star Party-Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area\nTucson\, AZ (West)\nViewing Location:  Second Restroom area  approximately 3/4 of the way in on Hal Gras Road.\nInformation: 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/).
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/tucson-mountain-park-ironwood-picnic-area-star-party-11/
LOCATION:Ironwood Picnic\, 7300 W Hal gras Rd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85735\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191102T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191102T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190811T164904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190811T164904Z
UID:3425-1572688800-1572710400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/empire-ranch-cowboy-festival/
LOCATION:Empire Ranch\, E Empire Ranch Road\, Sonoita\, AZ\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191101T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191101T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190911T081033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191112T050711Z
UID:3507-1572633000-1572642000@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:General Meeting – November 2019
DESCRIPTION:6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation\nTitle:  Minor Policy Updates\, Review and Training\nSpeaker:  Mae Smith\, TAAA President\n \nTAAA President Mae Smith will give a presentation on the group’s Minor Policy updates\, review and training. Minor Policy procedures are to be fully enacted throughout TAAA by January 1\, 2020. Mae’s talk will include updates on any changes to the policy\, reviews of responsibilities of members and leaders\, and review of the procedures for TAAA members involved in the different TAAA activities.  Attendance at this meeting will count as training in the fundamental minor policy course for TAAA leaders and members and as the required annual review for leaders who previously took the training. \n7:30 pm – Main Presentation\nTitle:  Remote Observatory Operation\, the good\, the bad\, and the ugly: or what can go wrong with your observatory?\nSpeaker:  Tim Hunter has been an amateur astronomer since 1950\, and he is the owner of two observatories\, the 3towers Observatory and the Grasslands Observatory (http://www.3towers.com).  He also considers himself “a prime example of someone whose hobby has run amok\, spending more time and money on it than common sense would dictate.”  Tim has been the President of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association\, Inc. (TAAA) and a member of the TAAA since 1975.  He is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Planetary Science Institute (PSI). For decades\, he has been interested in the growing problem of light pollution. In 1987\, he and Dr. David Crawford founded the International Dark-Sky Association\, Inc. (IDA).  IDA is a nonprofit corporation devoted to promoting quality outdoor lighting and combatting the effects of light pollution. \nTim’s talk to TAAA will describe his experience owning and operating the Grasslands Observatory near Sonoita\, Arizona.  As Tim explains: “The observatory was founded in 1987 and evolved from a mainly visual use facility to three remotely operated telescopes used for astrophotography.” He will illustrate the evolution of the observatory\, and discuss remote telescopic operations in general and how his three telescopes—a PlaneWave CDK24 24-inch f/6.5 telescope\, an ASA 20-inch f/3.6 telescope\, and a Takahashi Epsilon 180 f/2.8 telescope—are remotely operated from Tucson and used for various astrophotographic projects. As Tim explains\,  “Remote telescope operation is quite possible and offers great convenience with respect to travel and sleeping.  It comes with considerable costs including monetary as well as the need for constant attention to maintain the operation.  Things can and will go wrong.  One must be prepared to respond to the gravest of contingencies at a remote location in the darkest hours of the night. “
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/general-meeting-november-2019/
LOCATION:Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210)\, 933 N Cherry Ave\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85721\, United States
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191019T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191019T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190422T213822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190422T213822Z
UID:3282-1571511600-1571518800@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Chiricahua National Monument Astronomy Event
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/chiricahua-national-monument-astronomy-event-2/
LOCATION:Chiricahua National Monument\, 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd\, Willcox\, AZ\, 85643\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191019T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191019T220000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190821T201922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190821T201922Z
UID:3456-1571506200-1571522400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Evening Under the Stars
DESCRIPTION: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. \nOur 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. \nThe 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
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/evening-under-the-stars/
LOCATION:Chiricahua Astronomy Complex\, 9315 E Perseus Way\, Pearce\, AZ\, 85625\, United States
CATEGORIES:Star Parties
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191010T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191010T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190827T081134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20191003T064313Z
UID:3474-1570732200-1570739400@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – October 2019
DESCRIPTION:Open to the Public!\nConstellation of the Month:\nAntlia\n\nPresenter:  Connor Justice\n \nConnor Justice will start the night with the southern constellation Antlia. \nMain Presentation:\nUsing and Choosing Refractor Telescopes\nPresenter:  John Kalas\n \nFor our main topic\, John Kalas will be discussing Using and Choosing Refractor Telescopes.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/astronomy-fundamentals-meeting-october-2019/
LOCATION:Tucson City Council Ward 6\, 3202 E. 1st Street\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191005T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Phoenix:20191005T210000
DTSTAMP:20260505T223909
CREATED:20190928T215916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20190928T224248Z
UID:3552-1570302000-1570309200@tucsonastronomy.org
SUMMARY:International Observe the Moon
DESCRIPTION:A star party to support the International Observe the Moon and Flandrau Science Center. Several telescopes will be set up on the University of Arizona Mall just south of Flandrau Science Center.
URL:https://tucsonastronomy.org/event/international-observe-the-moon-2/
LOCATION:Flandrau Science Center\, 1601 E University Blvd\, Tucson\, AZ\, 85719\, United States
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END:VCALENDAR