Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – January 2019
2019-01-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Phoenix) | UA Education North Building, rm 110, 1501 E Speedway Blvd , Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the AFSIG meeting for January has moved from the USGS building on campus, to ROOM 110 in the Education North Building at 1501 E Speedway Blvd (Google Maps). Parking in the area is free after 5PM, and parking lots are available to the east and west side of the building. A parking garage is located one block north Vine Ave and Helen Street (garage may have fees). I plan on arriving early to make sure signs are available to mark the room.
*** SEE BOTTOM OF AFSIG MAIN PAGE FOR DETAILED LOCATION INSTRUCTIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION. ***
Constellation of the Month:
Scutum

Presenter: Gus Gomez

Gus Gomez will start the night with a talk about the constellation Scutum.
Main Presentation:
The Milky Way

Presenter: Stephen Ferris

For our main topic, Stephen Ferris will be discussing The Milky Way.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2019-01-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Observing: 6 – 8 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 – January 2019
2019-01-04 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
Speaker: Mary Turner, PhD

Mary Turner, TAAA’s Chief Observer, takes us on a tour of the winter and early spring night sky. Mary’s use of astronomical data, images, and mythology brings the seasonal changes in the sky to life.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Forged in Fire: The Volcanic History of Mars
Speaker: Dr. David Horvath from UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, is a planetary geophysicist investigating the interaction of processes acting on the surface and interior of terrestrial planets. His research focuses include Martian volcanism, the ancient hydrologic cycle of Mars, and the current methane-based hydrologic cycle of Titan. Dr. Horvath holds a PhD in Geophysics from the Colorado School of Mines.

Volcanism is widespread in the Martian geologic record, manifested as large shield volcanoes, extensive plains of flood basalts, and potentially global coverage of explosive volcanic ash. While most Martian volcanic activity occurred between ~3 and 4 billion years ago and has generally decreased over time, isolated, young (<500 million years old) volcanism is observed. Dr. Horvath will discuss the geologic record of volcanism on Mars, focusing on some of the youngest volcanic surfaces and their implications for observations by the recent InSight Mars lander.

AGua Caliente Park Star Party
2018-12-15 18:00 - 20:00, 2018-11-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Observing: 6 – 8 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 Fundamentals Meeting – December 2018
2018-12-13 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Constellation of the Month:
Tucana

Presenter: Stephen Ferris

Stephen Ferris will start the night with a talk about the southern constellation Tucana.
Main Presentation:
Star Atlases

Presenter: Doug Smith
For our main topic, Doug Smith will be discussing Star Atlases.

Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area Star Party
2018-12-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2018-11-17 18:00 - 20:00 | 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/).

General Meeting – December 2018
2018-12-07 18:30 - 21:00 | Lunar & Planetary Laboratory, 1629 E University Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
NOTE DIFFERENT LOCATION FOR THIS MONTHS MEETING.
THIS MONTH ONLY we will meet in the Kuiper Building of Lunar and Planetary Sciences, 1629 East University Boulevard on the U of A Campus, just east of Flandreau Science Center. Room 308/Third Floor Auditorium (there is a ramp and elevator).
See Map
ALSO THIS MONTH, no one is signed up to bring refreshments so anyone who has time, PLEASE bring finger foods to share and put them on the table outside the auditorium.
6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation
Title: Member’s Night
Speaker: Various TAAA Members

If you would like to give a presentation, contact Mae Smith, ssmith@email.arizona.edu.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: The Parker Solar Probe: NASA’s Mission to Touch the Sun
Speaker: Dr. Joe Giacalone has been a Professor at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory since 1993. He is Co-Investigator on the ISOIS (Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun) instrument on the Parker Solar Probe. This instrument will measure high-energy charged particles accelerated by magnetic fields near the Sun. Dr. Giacalone holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Kansas.
The Parker Solar Probe is truly a mission of discovery. Launched in August of 2018, this historic, seven-year mission has already flown by Venus, and made its first close pass of the Sun — closer to the Sun than any man-made object ever. It will get even closer in the years ahead; as near as 3.8 million miles from the Sun’s surface. Dr. Giacalone will discuss the mission, its goals, and what we expect to discover about the Sun.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – November 2018
2018-11-08 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Constellation of the Month:
Piscis Austrinus
Presenter: Kay Lehman

Kay Lehman will talk about the northern constellation Piscis Austrinus.
Main Presentation:
Choosing and Using Telescope Eyepieces

Presenter: Joe Jacoby

Joe Jacoby will be discussing Choosing and Using Telescope Eyepieces.

General Meeting – November 2018
2018-11-02 19:30 - 21:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
6:30 pm – NO Introductory Presentation
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Hayabusa2: Exploring Asteroid Ryugu and Implications for the Future
Speaker: Adriana Mitchell is an undergraduate senior majoring in Optical Sciences and Engineering at the University of Arizona. She works with Professor Vishnu Reddy at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and Dr. Lucille Le Corre at the Planetary Science Institute, on the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s Hayabusa2 mission.

Visiting Near Earth Asteroids helps scientists understand conditions during the formation of the solar system and might help uncover where Earth’s water and organic materials originated. Adriana will discuss the large strides being made in asteroid exploration with the current asteroid sample-return missions; NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission to Bennu and JAXA’s Hayabusa2 mission to the asteroid Ryugu. She will explain the implications for these cutting edge missions and her involvement in the creation of imaging products critical for characterizing potential landing sites on Ryugu for JAXA.

Chiricahua National Monument Stargazing Event
2018-10-26 18:00 - 20:30 | Chiricahua National Monument, 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ, 85643, United States
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 Faraway Ranch (just inside the entrance gate) or Echo Canyon Overlook (about 5 miles past the visitor center). Please try to use red light flashlights and minimize white light (to include cell phones) that will hinder your night vision.
A talk on astronomy will be at the campground Amphitheater just past the visitor center starting at 6 PM.
The Star Party will go from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at either Faraway Ranch or Echo Canyon overlook.
Follow the event on Facebook for real-time updates.

International Observe the Moon
2018-10-20 17:00 - 22:00 | UA Mall, 1601 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
A star party supporting International Observe the Moon. TAAA along with other astronomy organizations will be on the University of Arizona Mall near Flandrau Planetarium. Telescopes will be set up from 5 – 10 PM to view the Moon and other Solar System and Deep-Sky objects. We will also have a telescope dedicated to “Sky Souvenirs” for you to use your smart phone and our adapter to take a picture of the Moon. Flandrau Planetarium will be open for the event.

Catalina State Park Star Party
2018-10-13 18:30 - 21:30 | 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/).

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2018-10-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
Star Party-Agua Caliente Park
Tucson, AZ (Northeast)
Observing: 6:30 – 8:30 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/).

Elfrida, AZ Library Solar Observing
2018-10-12 10:30 - 12:00 | Elfrida Library, 10552 N Hwy 191, Elfrida, AZ, 85610, United States
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association at the Library in Elfrida, AZ for some daytime safe solar observing of the Sun. We will look for Sunspots and Prominences coming off the edge of the Sun. Weather Dependent.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – October 2018
2018-10-11 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Stephen Ferris will talk about the northern constellation Perseus. Followed by Ralph Means who will be doing a show and tell on
the equipment he uses for observing.

General Meeting – October 2018
2018-10-05 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: Financial Report
Speaker: Mike McDowell, TAAA Treasurer

TAAA Treasurer Mike McDowell will present the annual TAAA financial report, and an update on Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (CAC).
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Dark Clouds and Prestellar Cores – The Beginning Stage of Star and Planet Formation
Speaker: UA Associate Professor Dr. Yancy Shirley is a Hoosier who received his B.S. in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Arizona, and his Ph.D. at the University of Texas (Austin). He worked at the Very Large Array (radio telescopes) in New Mexico before returning to Arizona and joining the UA faculty in 2008. Dr. Shirley’s main studies are in the earliest phases of star formation, astrochemistry, and astrobiology using observations from infrared and radio telescopes.

In the early 1900s, American astronomer Edward Emerson (E.E.) Barnard photographed dark nebula and realized that these regions were not “vacancies” in the sky, but instead clouds of obscuring material. They contain the raw material—solid particles we call dust and a very rich molecular chemistry—from which stars and planets form today. In his talk, Dr. Shirley will describe how stars and planets form and show how we can observe these earliest phases across the Galaxy.

Agua Caliente Park Star Party
2018-09-15 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. Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – September 2018
2018-09-13 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.
Kay Lehman will talk about the northern constellation Cetus.
Followed by Doug Smith who will be giving a break down on The Mechanics of Clock Drives for our main presentation.
Email: fundamentals[at]tucsonastronomy.org

Elfrida, AZ Library Astronomy Event
2018-09-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Elfrida Library, 10552 N Hwy 191, Elfrida, AZ, 85610, United States
Stargazing event supporting Elfrida, AZ Library in SE Arizona. Come join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for an evening of observing some astronomy wonders in the night sky. We will view some planets, star clusters, multiple star systems, nebulae, and lots more.

General Meeting – September 2018
2018-09-07 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
Speaker: Mary Turner, PhD

Mary Turner, TAAA’s appointed Chief Observer, takes us on an early tour of the upcoming winter 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: Are We Alone: Extraterrestrial Technological Life in Our Galaxy
Speaker: Dr. Robert Strom is Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona. Retired after 36 years of teaching and research at UA, Dr. Strom remains active in research; his main interest is the planets, global warming, and exoplanet life. Dr. Strom holds numerous awards, including six from NASA, as well as the Career Distinguished Teaching Award from UA. He’s been part of many Imaging and other Science Teams for space missions, and brings us a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom.

In Dr. Strom’s talk, he evaluates the number of technological civilizations likely to currently be in the Milky Way Galaxy, and presents a thought-provoking argument for why we are almost surely not alone. He begins with our current estimated number of Earth-like planets in the habitable region of Sun-like stars; about 6.6 billion. Using a modified Drake Equation and six constraints, he gives estimates that are “optimistic”, “pessimistic” and “unlikely.” Even “unlikely” values give over 600 technological civilizations in the Milky Way. Furthermore, almost all of their extra-solar system technologies are probably much more advanced than ours. For a lively talk and discussion, join us on September 7th.

Oracle State Park Star Party
2018-09-01 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.

Tumacácori National Historical Park Star Party & Dark Sky Celebration
2018-08-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ, 85640, United States
Join the staff of Tumacácori National Historical Park, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and the Sonora Astronomical Society for a celebration of astronomy and the Park’s designation of an International Dark Sky Park. We will have several telescopes to view some amazing astronomical objects under some incredibly dark skies.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – August 2018
2018-08-09 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Gus Gomez will start the evening off with a talk on defunct constellation Argo Navis, followed by Rob Halberg who will be discussing the astronomer Copernicus for our main presentation.

General Meeting – August 2018
2018-08-03 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: Member’s Night
Speaker: various TAAA members

Reports by several TAAA members on a variety of topics.
7:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: The night sky of planet Vulcan: Exozodiacal light observations with the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)
Speaker: Dr. Steve Ertel is a German astronomer now working at Steward Observatory. He studies planetary systems through observations of their dust similar to that in our Solar System’s Kuiper Belt, Asteroid Belt, and zodiacal dust. He also studies the fate of planetary systems as their host stars evolve into giant stars and white dwarfs. Steve received his Ph.D. from the University of Kiel, Germany. He has worked as an observational astronomer at the University of Grenoble, France, and at the European Southern Observatory, Chile. As the instrument scientist of the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer at Mt. Graham, AZ, he leads the NASA-funded HOSTS survey for exozodiacal dust around nearby stars

Zodiacal light is one of the most elusive features of our night sky; visible in the West after dusk and in the East before dawn as a large cone of faint light stretching from the horizon along the ecliptic. Arizona’s dark skies make it ideal for observing its cause; sunlight scattered from zodiacal dust particles near Earth’s orbit. Surely, the night skies of many Earth-like exoplanets must show a similar feature. Studying exozodiacal dust can give us insights into their architecture, specifically for those exoplanets in the habitable zone. At the same time, the dust poses an obstacle to imaging habitable exoplanets with a large space telescope, one of NASA’s primary future goals. Dr. Ertel will present the efforts using the LBT to detect and study exozodiacal dust. He will also talk more broadly about how the LBT’s interferometer makes it the first 30-meter class telescope on Earth.

Desert Museum Cool Summer Nights (Astronomy)
2018-07-14 19:00 - 22:00 | Desert Museum, 2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Join TAAA and the Sonoran Desert Museum for the Cool Summer Nights Astronomy Event. TAAA will have several telescopes set up around the Museum to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky objects. Museum entrance fee required.

Elfriday Library (Solar)
2018-07-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Elfrida Library, 10552 N Hwy 191, Elfrida, AZ, 85610, United States
Star Party-Elfrida Library
ELFRIDA, AZ (Near CAC)
Viewing Location: Outside the Library
Come join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for some safe daytime viewing of our closest star the Sun. We will have a solar telescope setup outside the Elfrida Library. We will look for Solar Prominences & Flares, Sunspots, and other activity on the Sun.

Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – July 2018
2018-07-12 18:30 - 20:30 | U.S.G.S. Building, 520 North Park Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719, United States
Come join us for a presentation from the fundamentals of amateur astronomy. Connor Justice will be discussing the constellation Virgo, followed by Doug Smith who will talk about the History of Astrophotography for our main presentation.

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.
