Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Stargazing at Anamax Park, Sahuarita AZ
2024-05-24 20:00 - 21:30 (America/Phoenix) | Anamax Park, Sahuarita AZ, 17501 S Camino De Las Quintas, Sahuarita, AZ, 85629, United States
Star Party – Anamax Park, Sahuarita, AZ
Viewing Location: Field 4 in the middle of the soccer field
Great dark skies just South of Tucson.
Star Party open to the Public.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have telescopes for astronomical viewing.
We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more.
Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Stargazing at Tucson Mountain Park – Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area
2024-05-11 20:00 - 22:00, 2024-04-05 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-02-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area, 2000 N Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ, 85743, United States
Star Party @ Tucson Mountain Park – Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area
Tucson, AZ (right next to Sonoran Desert Museum)
Viewing Location: Small side loop on East side of main loop.
Information: Great dark skies in Western Tucson. Star Party open to the Public. Cost: FREE.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes. Weather dependent.
For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page: TAAA Facebook Events page
FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Go to this link to register: https://bit.ly/ticketsEE
These events may fill up early.

Stargazing at Saguaro NP - East
2024-05-10 20:00 - 22:00 | 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: TAAA Facebook Events page

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – May 2024
2024-05-09 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Main Presentation: Fast Radio Bursts
Presenter: Connor Justice
Connor Justice will be presenting Fast Radio Bursts as our only topic for the month.

Stargazing at Catalina State Park
2024-05-04 20:00 - 22:00 | 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.
Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Catalina State Park.
Star Party open to the Public. Admission fee for entrance into Catalina State Park.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have approximately 10 telescopes for astronomical viewing.
We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a wide variety of telescopes.
Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).
Additional details will be posted here and on Facebook as we get closer to the event.

Stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park
2024-05-03 20:00 - 22:00 | Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E Frontage Rd, Tumacacori, AZ, 85640, United States
Join TAAA and the National Park Service for an evening of stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park . Address below.
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) will have several telescopes with operators for astronomical viewing.
We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes.
Event is free but NPS admission fees apply.
Weather dependent, check back here prior to event for possible updates on day of event.

ONLINE – General Meeting – May 2024
2024-05-03 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Zoom Only General Meeting – May 2024

TAAA’s next general member meeting will be held on Friday, May 03, 2024. The Main Presentation will start at 6:30 P.M. This will be a ZOOM ONLY meeting. TAAA members will receive a Zoom link should they wish to attend remotely. The public may attend online through our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/. It will be posted to YouTube afterwards.

Presentation: TAAA Member Image Sharing

Our May 2024 meeting features TAAA members sharing presentations of astronomy interest. Among these will be several April 8th eclipse experiences, (from the sublime to the disappointing), with visuals. If you would like to participate, please contact Jim Knoll by April 30th at jimknoll@tucsonastronomy.org. Also, contact him with any questions.

Election:

At this meeting we will also have results of our 2024 Leadership Election (online ballots to be sent out on April 26).

Credit: Voxvine.com for NASA April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Stargazing at Agua Caliente Park
2024-04-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2024-03-02 19:00 - 21:00 | 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: https://bit.ly/ticketsEE
These events fill up fast so recommend registering early.

Solar Telescope Observing @ Saguaro NP – East
2024-04-21 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.

Stargazing at Oracle State Park
2024-04-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House

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

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.
Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Oracle State Park apply.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will be observing the Moon + Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, and Star Clusters.
Great opportunity to look through a wide variety of telescopes. Weather dependent.
For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook event page: TAAA Facebook Events page
Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information and activities that day:
Star Party at Oracle State Park | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)

Evening Under the Stars (Chiricahua Astronomy Complex)
2024-04-13 19:00 - 21:30 | 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 Spring “Evening Under the Stars” will be Saturday April 13th 2024. The gate will be open at 6:30 pm with activities starting 7:00 pm. Observing will be from 7:30-9:30 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.

Stargazing at Chiricahua National Monument
2024-04-12 19:30 - 21:30 | Chiricahua National Monument, 12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd, Willcox, AZ, 85643, United States
Join TAAA for an evening of stargazing to view amazing solar system and deep sky objects from a truly Dark Sky Park. You will see planets, nebulae, star clusters, double stars, galaxies millions of light years away, and lots more. We will have several telescopes for public viewing.
Observing location will be at the Faraway Ranch parking lot just past the entrance gate about 1/2 mile. 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: https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/.
Check back here or on our Facebook page closer to the event for any updates.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – April 2024
2024-04-11 08:00 - 17:00 | ONLINE
TBD

Solar Eclipse
2024-04-08 10:00 - 12:30 | AZ
There will be a Total Solar Eclipse visible in the United States on April 8th. To see Totality, you must be within the path of totality. This path can be viewed at: https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com.
Additional information is also available on our Eclipse page: https://tucsonastronomy.org/2024-total-solar-eclipse/
A Partial Eclipse will be visible in Tucson.
We will have Solar Telescopes set up at venues around Tucson to safely view the Eclipse.
See the above TAAA Website link above for the current list of locations.
Partial Start in Tucson: 10 am
Maximum Partial: 11:19 am
Partial Ends: 12:30 pm
You must wear approved Eclipse Solar Glasses to view every portion of the partial eclipse. These glasses are available from a variety of sources. Make sure you use a reputable source.

Cancelled - General Meeting – April 2024
2024-04-05 18:30 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
The General Meeting, normally held on the first Friday of the month, has been cancelled for April due to the Eclipse of the Sun on April 8th, since many of the club members will be traveling out of state for the event.

Tucson Astronomy Festival
2024-03-30 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)
3482 E River Rd

ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Safe Solar viewing of the Sun – 3 PM to 6:30 PM
Hands-On Interactive Exhibits for Kids – 3 PM to 6 PM
Door Prizes will be given away at 6:30 PM– winners must be present to win
——- Grand Prize: Small Telescope ——–

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.

+ GOOGLE CALENDAR+ ICAL EXPORT

Stargazing @ Canoa Ranch
2024-03-29 19:30 - 21:30 | 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: https://bit.ly/ticketsEE
These events fill up quickly, so recommend registering as early as possible.

Stargazing @ Picacho Peak State Park
2024-03-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Picacho Peak State Park, 15520 Picacho Peak Rd, Picacho, AZ, 85141
Truely dark skies at a scenic location – Picacho Peak State Park
Star Party is open to the Public. Event is free but park admission fees apply.
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more.
Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes at a really dark location.
Weather dependent. For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook Events Page: (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/).

Stargazing at Catalina State Park
2024-03-15 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.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – March 2024
2024-03-14 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Astronomer of the Month: Vesto Slipher
Presenter: Connor Justice
Connor Justice will be presenting Vesto Slipher for our astronomer of the month.
Main Presentation: Asteroids and Minor Planets
Presenter: Pete Hermes
Pete Hermes will be giving our main topic on Asteroids and Minor Planets.

Stargazing at Oracle State Park
2024-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House

Star Party telescope viewing (7 – 9pm)

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.
Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Oracle State Park apply.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will be observing the Moon + Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, and Star Clusters.
Great opportunity to look through a wide variety of telescopes. Weather dependent.
For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook event page: TAAA Facebook Events page
Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information:
Star Party at Oracle State Park | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)

HYBRID – General Meeting – March 2024
2024-03-01 18:30 - 20:00 | Steward Observatory Lecture Hall (Room N210), 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States
Presentation: From Planet to Pictures

We all have seen images of each planet in our solar system until they’re ingrained in our culture’s collective psyche, but how did we get those images? In “From Planet to Pictures,” Max Lipitz will take the audience on a grand tour of the solar system, and do far more than just repeat the usual statistics about the planets, moons, asteroids, and whatever Pluto is now. Max’s presentation will be about the robotic emissaries we sent to learn about these celestial objects, the journey they undertook and the discoveries they made.

Biography: Maxmilian (Max) Lipitz could best be described as a strange amalgamation of NASA obsession, photographic prowess, and insatiable curiosity. He’s a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technologies Imaging Science Program; a highly interdisciplinary field that combines physics, math, computer science, and engineering. And whether he’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.

Desert Skies Virtual Star Party
2024-02-29 19:00 - 21:00 | AZ
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for our quarterly Desert Skies Virtual Star Party. It will be streamed live to our Facebook Page and will be available a few days later on our YouTube Channel. We will observe Galaxies, millions of light years away, Star systems, star clusters, star forming nebulae, star death nebulae, and lots more.
TAAA Facebook
TAAA YouTube

Stargazing at Saguaro NP – East
2024-02-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Saguaro National Park EAST, 3693 S Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, 85730, United States

Stargazing at Oracle State Park
2024-02-10 18:30 - 21:00 | Oracle State Park, 3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ, 85623, United States
Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House

NOTICE: This star party have been cancelled due to bad weather on site

Star Party telescope viewing (7 – 9pm)

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.
Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Oracle State Park apply.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes for astronomical viewing. We will be observing the Moon + Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, and Star Clusters.
Great opportunity to look through a wide variety of telescopes. Weather dependent.
For real-time updates, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook event page: TAAA Facebook Events page
Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information:
Star Party at Oracle State Park | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)

Solar and Night Stargazing at Catalina State Park
2024-02-09 14:00 - 21:00 | Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Catalina, AZ, United States
Star Party @ Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
Viewing Location: Parking lot for Bridle Trailhead at end of State Park road inside the park.
Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Catalina State Park. Star Party open to the Public. Admission fees for entrance into Catalina State Park apply.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have Solar telescopes for daytime Solar viewing and later Standard telescopes (10 or more) for nighttime astronomical viewing.
Solar viewing from 2pm to 4pm (Same Trailhead location)
Nighttime viewing from 7pm to 9pm (Same Trailhead location)
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:
TAAA Facebook Events page
Additional details will be posted here and on our Facebook page as we get closer to the event.

ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – February 2024
2024-02-08 18:30 - 20:00 | ONLINE
Astronomer of the Month: Carl Sagan
Presenter: Stephen Ferris
This month Stephen Ferris will be presenting Carl Sagan for our astronomer of the month.
Main Presentation: Dark Matter
Presenter: Doug Smith
Doug Smith will be presenting Dark Matter for our main topic.
