Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Stargazing @ Saguaro NP – East
2023-04-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2023-06-23 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-09-22 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Phoenix) | Saguaro National Park EAST, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, 85730, United States
Star Party – Saguaro National Park – East
Tucson, AZ
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: (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Tucson Astronomy Festival
2023-04-29 15:00 - 21:00 | Brandi Fenton Park, 3482 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85718, United States
Tucson Astronomy Festival at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Telescopes, Exhibits, Fun!

Brandi Fenton Memorial Park (Ramada #1)

ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Safe Solar viewing of the Sun – 3 to 6:30 PM
Hands-On Interactive Exhibits for Kids – 3 to 6:00 PM
Door Prizes will be given away at 6:30 PM – winners must be present
——-Grand Prize: Small Telescope——–
Other prizes for the entire family
What’s up in the night sky talk – 7 to 7:30pm
Night Sky Viewing – 7:30 PM to 9 PM
Kid-Friendly Scope viewing throughout the evening

No charge for any activities, donations will be accepted.
Bring your own telescope for help in setting it up and operating the scope.

ONLINE ONLY – General Meeting – May 2023
2023-05-05 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE
TAAA’s next general member meeting will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023. The Main Presentation will start at 6:30 P.M. Note that this month’s meeting will be online only. TAAA members will receive a Zoom link to attend. The public may stream via the TAAA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tucsonamateurastronomyasso2702
Title: JWST: Our First Year Capturing Light from the Dawn of Time
Presentation: In this talk, University of Arizona astronomer Kevin Hainline will discuss the exciting first year of NASA’s flagship space observatory: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). He’ll share stories from his time working on the observatory, and discuss highlights from the wealth of data that JWST has brought us: awe-inspiring planets, nearby nebulae, baby stars, and the farthest galaxies humans have ever seen.
Bio: Dr. Kevin Hainline is an astronomy professor and researcher on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NIRCam science team at The University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory. His research focuses on hunting for hidden supermassive black holes, and he’s currently using JWST to find and understand the most extreme, distant galaxies in the early universe. He received his PhD from UCLA in 2012 and spent three years as a researcher and professor at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire before moving to Tucson to work on JWST. Kevin has a passion for science outreach education, and has spoken about astronomy and our relation to the stars at events around the world.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – May 2023
2023-05-11 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Main Presentation:
Telescope Collimation with a Focus on Reflectors
Presenter: Doug Smith

Doug Smith will be presenting the main topic for the night on Telescope Collimation with a focus on Reflectors.
Second Presentation:
Astronomy Related App
Presenter: Connor Justice
Afterwards, Connor Justice would like to show an astronomy related app prototype.

Virtual Stargazing - Watch at home
2023-05-12 20:00 - 22:00 | AZ
Virtual Stargazing

May 12 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a Virtual tour of the Night Sky. We will explore planets, Nebulae, Star Clusters, Galaxies, and much more using cameras connected to our telescopes with commentary about the objects from our operators.
The event will be streamed to our YouTube channel (TAAA YouTube). You can follow the event on our Facebook page for any weather and other updates and the link to our YouTube Channel. FREE.
Check out Facebook page or back here closer to the event for any updates.

Stargazing at Catalina State Park
2023-05-13 20:00 - 22:00, 2023-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States
Star Party-Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
Viewing Location: Trailhead Picnic area at end of road inside the park.
Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Catalina State Park. Star Party open to the Public. Admission cost for entrance into Catalina State Park. Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have 10 telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a wide variety of telescopes. Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).
Additional details will be posted here and on Facebook as we get closer to the event.

Solar Telescope Observing at Saguaro NP - East
2023-05-14 13:00 - 15:00 | Saguaro National Park EAST, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, 85730, United States
Solar Telescope Observing at Saguaro NP – East

May 14 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

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. 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.

Stargazing at Aqua Caliente Park
2023-05-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
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/).
FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. go to:Eventbright and search “Stargazing” and location “Tucson”. These events fill up fast so recommend registering early. Event may not show up until about two months out.

HYBRID – General Meeting – June 2023
2023-06-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Annular Eclipse, October 14, 2023

Presentation: While we all look forward to totality in 2024, a great observing opportunity presents itself to amateur astronomers in the U.S. this fall. An annular eclipse (when a ring of the Sun’s disk surrounds the Moon) will touch the Pacific coast and track across eight states before moving into the Gulf of Mexico. The path of this annular eclipse isn’t that far from Tucson. Michael Bakich’s talk will cover the details about an event that won’t happen again in the 48 states until 2046.

Bio: 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. Michael continues work for the magazine as Contributing Editor. He has authored 14 books on astronomy, including Atlas of Solar Eclipses: 2020-2045.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – June 2023
2023-06-08 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Main Presentation:
Binocular Observing
Presenter: Gus Gomez

Gus Gomez will be leading with our main topic on binocular observing.
Astronomer of the Month:
Johaan Bayer and Nicolas Lacaille
Presenter: Connor Justice
Connor Justice will be presenting on Johaan Bayer and Nicolas Lacaille for our astronomer of the month.

Stargazing @ Oracle State Park
2023-06-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House
Information: 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. Check TAAA Facebook Page or here for any updates as we get closer.

HYBRID – General Meeting – July 2023
2023-07-07 18:30 - 20:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
TAAA’s next general member meeting will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023. The Main Presentation will start at 6:30 P.M. This will be a hybrid meeting (both in person and on social media). TAAA members will receive a Zoom link should they wish to attend remotely. The public may attend in person or online through our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/. It will still be posted to YouTube afterwards.
Title: The Shocking History of A Giant Lens!

Presentation: Walking though your high school or college hallways you’re likely to find tchotchkes, curios, and relics of the past. Good chance you’ve passed them every day and never given a second glance. In this presentation, Max Lipitz asks the question: what if you did take that second look? And what if that curio was a giant camera lens that for the past decade sat unassumingly on the 3rd floor, of the northwest corner, of the Rochester Institute of Technology, (RIT) Carlson Center for Imaging Science Building (CIS)? The scuttle bug around the center was that it was built in support of the U-2 (Dragon Lady) spy plane program begun in 1955. However, that is far from the truth and the reality is far more astounding…as Max’s talk will reveal.

Bio: Maxmillian (Max) Lipitz could best be described as a strange amalgamation of NASA obsession, photographic prowess, and insatiable curiosity. In his attempt to acquire empirical knowledge, he has accumulated thousands of useless facts over a period of decades. This has led him to be an oddball graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technologies Imaging Science Program; a highly interdisciplinary field that combines physics, math, computer science, and engineering. Whether it’s developing image processing algorithms to turn people into Simpsons characters or restoring a 31-year-old digital camera just because, Max puts his whole heart into everything he does. In the past he’s worked with Dr. Robert Kremens to develop next-generation probes (“Kremboxes”) to monitor wildfires in the thermal and visible spectrum, providing valuable data that could save thousands of lives. Currently Max works as a scientist at Tucson-based GEOST, developing ground and space based electro-optical systems.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – July 2023
2023-07-13 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE
Astronomical Distances
Presenter: Doug Smith
Doug Smith will be presenting on Astronomical Distances.
Astronomer of the Month: Sir Arthur Eddington
Presenter: Pete Hermes
Pete Hermes will be detailing Sir Arthur Eddington for our ongoing astronomer of the month series.

HYBRID – General Meeting – Aug 2023
2023-08-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Light Pollution and Dark Skies in Southern Arizona and Beyond

Presentation: The world at night is lighting up at an alarming rate. A host of ecological and social consequences comes with this rapid environmental change, but solving this problem is simple and cost effective. In this talk John will review what we know (and don’t know) about light pollution, how it affects us, and which mitigation strategies are most effective. From there he will describe an effort to revitalize the Southern Arizona chapter of DarkSky International (DarkSky International was formerly known as the International Dark-Sky Association) and the plans for regional advocacy and action in coming years.

Bio: John Barentine is the Principal Consultant at Dark Sky Consulting, LLC, and was formerly the Director of Public Policy for the International Dark-Sky Association. He earned a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin, and previously held staff positions at the National Solar Observatory, Apache Point Observatory, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Throughout his career, he has been involved in educating the public about science. He is a member of the American Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union, and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. The asteroid (14505) Barentine is named in his honor. His interests outside of astronomy and light pollution research include history, art and architecture, politics, law and current events.

Space Station Shot of Earth at Night. Credit: NASA

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – August 2023
2023-08-10 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Main Presentation:
Solar Eclipses
Presenter: Connor Justice
This month in preparation for the October Annular Eclipse, Connor Justice will giving an updated talk on Solar Eclipses.

HYBRID – General Meeting – September 2023
2023-09-01 18:30 - 20:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Civil Planetary Defense: The Catalina Sky Survey Needs Your Help Discovering New Asteroids

The Catalina Sky Survey (CSS) has been in operation since the late 90’s with the goal of discovering and tracking Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs). Headquartered in Tucson, with its primary telescopes on Mt. Lemmon, CSS plays a major role in Earth’s planetary defense. David Carson Fuls will present CSS’s latest project, a new citizen science initiative called “The Daily Minor Planet” which gives volunteers the opportunity to review images taken by CSS survey telescopes to discover new asteroids! This project, much like CSS nighttime operations, focuses on rapid identification of new objects, so images are uploaded the day after they are taken. Carson will cover the project in detail and present its initial discoveries since its official launch in May, ’23. For more info., visit: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/fulsdavid/the-daily-minor-planet

Bio: David Carson Fuls is the Senior Operations Scientist/Engineer for the Catalina Sky Survey. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University (MS physics), he has been with CSS since 2015, and has discovered thousands of asteroids and eight comets that bear his name. The asteroid 1999 UN24 was named in his honor. When not searching for space rocks, Carson volunteers with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association, which performs search and rescue missions in the mountains and deserts of southern Arizona.

Photo: Catalina Sky Survey from Catalina Sky Survey

Stargazing at Aqua Caliente Park
2023-09-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E Roger Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85749, United States
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/).
FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. go to: Eventbright and search “Stargazing” and location “Tucson”. These events fill up fast so recommend registering early. Event may not show up until about two months out.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – September 2023
2023-09-14 18:30 - 20:30 | ONLINE
Astronomer of the Month: Maria Mitchell
Presenter: Connor Justice
Connor Justice will be presenting on Maria Mitchell for our ongoing astronomer of the month series.
Main Presentation: James Webb Space Telescope
Presenter: Stephen Ferris
Stephen Ferris will be presenting on the James Webb Space Telescope for our main topic.

Stargazing @ Oracle State Park
2023-09-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House
Theme for this event: Lunar Discovery
Information: 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 be primarily observing the Moon but also 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 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. Check TAAA Facebook Page or here for any updates as we get closer.

HYBRID – General Meeting – October 2023
2023-10-06 18:30 - 20:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Title: Observing The Fall Sky

Mary Turner presents her popular seasonal talk about what to see in the night sky from October to December, as well as fascinating myths and facts about each object. Included is the Oct. 14th annular eclipse; perhaps the highlight of the next three months. Learn about bright planets, meteor showers, and all else accessible, to the naked eye, binoculars, and/or telescopes.

Bio: Mary Turner received her Ph.D in Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona (UA). She is currently the Technical Fellow in Optical Design for Edmund Optics, where she designs custom optical systems for a wide variety of applications, including camera systems, machine vision applications, free-space communications and other laser systems. Additionally. Dr. Turner is a lecturer for the University of California-Irvine, teaching courses in optical design. She also lectures at UA in aspects of optical design, including tolerance analysis, polarization devices and stray light analysis. Throughout her career, Dr. Turner has taught optical design fundamentals to more than 5000 students around the world. She has also authored chapters in several technical references relating to the field of optical design.

October’s meeting will also include information on how to support TAAA’s Outreach missions. Without robust volunteer support, this mission cannot be accomplished. Bernie Stinger, School/Public Star Party Manager will discuss the Star Party program, its process, how you can become involved, the rewards of doing outreach, and what equipment you need. And Jim Knoll will talk about the Tucson Stargazing Adventures (paid star parties), a similar process to the School program, and how you can help accomplish this portion of the TAAA mission.

Evening Under the Stars
2023-10-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Chiricahua Astronomy Complex, 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ, 85625, United States
Evening Under the Stars Observing at the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) Chiricahua Astronomy Complex. Want to stargaze from a dark site where the band of the Milky Way is clearly visible across the sky? You see so many stars it is hard to pick out the constellations. Twice per year, we open our TAAA Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (Turkey Creek area near Chiricahua National Monument) to the public for an observing session. You can observe through a telescope with a 40″ mirror and see galaxies over 100 million light years away. We will have several large telescopes to observe with.
Our Fall “Evening Under the Stars” will be Saturday October 7th 2023. The gate will be open at 6:00 pm with activities starting 7:00 pm. Observing will be from 7:00-9:00 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 euts[at]tucsonastronomy.org for reservations and directions. Please include number of people & vehicles in your group, and email address.

Solar Telescope Observing @ Saguaro NP – East
2023-10-08 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. 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.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – October 2023
2023-10-12 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
TBD

Annular Eclipse of the Sun
2023-10-14 09:00 - 10:00 | AZ
An Annular Eclipse of the Sun will occur in the late morning traveling from Oregon to Texas.
It will pass over Utah and the Four Corners area, then central New Mexico before entering Texas.

Star Hopping Workshop - Oct 19
2023-10-19 17:30 - 22:00 | TIMPA
It will teach Star Hopping. The students will be taught the proper star hopping technique and equipment usage. Each student will use the supplied equipment to locate at least 2 targets (maybe more if time permits). By the end of the workshop the student will know what equipment to use and how to use it in order to locate targets using star hopping.

Stargazing @ Canoa Ranch
2023-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Canoa Ranch, 5375 S I-19 Frontage Road, Green Valley, AZ, 85622, United States
Join the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) and Pima County Natural Resources Parks and Recreation for some stargazing at Historic Canoa Ranch. We will observe planets, star clusters, multiple star systems, nebulae, galaxies, and lots more.
FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Go to Eventbright and search for stargazing Canoa Ranch. May fill up quickly, so recommend registering as early as possible (event may not show up in Eventbright until about two months before).

HYBRID – General Meeting – November 2023
2023-11-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
TAAA’s next general member meeting will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023. The Main Presentation will start at 6:30 P.M. This will be a hybrid meeting (both in person and on social media). TAAA members will receive a Zoom link should they wish to attend remotely. The public may attend in person or public streaming is available at: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/. It will be posted to YouTube afterwards.
Presentation: The Chinese/Japanese Supernova of 1181 AD Is Weird!
In 1181 A.D., Chinese and Japanese observers reported a bright Guest Star in the constellation Cassiopeia that was unmoving and visible for 185 days. What was it? If confirmed as a supernova, it would be the fifth historical supernova to be known. In 2013, amateur astronomer Dana Patchick discovered a unique nebula surrounding a unique star, named Pa30, that was possibly the supernova remnant (SNR) of the Supernova (SN) 1181. Dr. Bradley Schaefer will talk about his research, using historical evidence, and current astronomical tools to connect SN1181 and PA30.
Bio: Dr. Bradley Schaefer received his Ph.D in 1983 from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Louisiana State University. His wide range of interests include many areas of astrophysics, as well as many aspects of astronomical events in history (e.g. the Crucifixion and the Star of Bethlehem) and in literature. Dr. Schaefer was a member of the Supernova Cosmology Project which led to the discovery of Dark Energy. The paper for the project won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for its leader, Saul Perlmutter. And, as one of the prize-winning paper’s co-authors, Dr. Schaefer received a share of the 2007 Gruber Cosmology Prize, and the 2015 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.

Photo: Is nebula PA30 a remnant of SN 1181?
Credit: Astronomer Ron Fessen (observing at MDM on Kitt Peak)
