Constellation of the Month:

Ara and Columba

Presenter:  Connor Justice

Connor Justice will start the night with the constellations Ara and Columba.

Main Presentation:

Atacama Large Millimeter Array

Presenter:  Vince Baker

For our main topic, Vince Baker will be discussing Atacama Large Millimeter Array.

6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation

Title:  Minor Policy Updates, Review and Training

Speaker:  Mae Smith, TAAA President

TAAA 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.

7:30 pm – Main Presentation

Title:  Remote Observatory Operation, the good, the bad, and the ugly: or what can go wrong with your observatory?

Speaker:  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.

Tim’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. “

Open to the Public!

Constellation of the Month:

Antlia

Presenter:  Connor Justice

Connor Justice will start the night with the southern constellation Antlia.

Main Presentation:

Using and Choosing Refractor Telescopes

Presenter:  John Kalas

For our main topic, John Kalas will be discussing Using and Choosing Refractor Telescopes.

6:30 pm – Introductory Presentation

Title:  Seasonal Night Sky Objects

Speaker:  Mary Turner, PhD

Mary Turner, TAAA’s appointed Chief Observer, takes us on a tour of the fall 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:  A Nightwatchman’s Journey: The Road Not Taken

Speaker:  David H. Levy. A renowned amateur astronomer, David has never taken a class in astronomy, yet has authored over three dozen books, written for three astronomy magazines, and appeared on TV programs featured on the Discovery and the Science Channels.  Among David’s accomplishments are 23 comet discoveries, the most famous being Shoemaker-Levy 9 that collided with Jupiter in 1994, a few hundred shared asteroid discoveries, an Emmy for the documentary Three Minutes to Impact, five honorary doctorates in Science and a PhD which combines astronomy and English Literature.  Currently, he is the editor of the web magazine Sky’s Up!, and has a monthly column, Skyward, in The Vail Voice newspaper.

With slides and music, David’s presentation will focus on his most recent book, A Nightwatchman’s Journey: The Road Not Taken; the autobiography of one of today’s most enthusiastic and famous amateur astronomers. David will share how his passion for astronomy began in his native Canada, and his 19-year search for comets until he found his first in 1984. (He has gone on to find 22 more.) David will also share his love for astronomy in literature, his personal struggles, and why he subtitles his autobiography, “The Road Not Taken.” Expect a fascinating lecture from a nightwatchman who continues to hunt for comets and asteroids, and lecture worldwide. Refreshments and a book signing ($35 a copy) will follow.

* Voting will be held at 7:30 meeting on two proposed TAAA bylaws changes. *