We will be doing a Virtual Solar Observing session with the Lunar & Planetary Laboratory. To view the event, register at: https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/art/2020.
ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – November 2020
Constellation of the Month:
None
Presenter: none
We do not have a constellation of the month for this meeting.
Main Presentation:
Venus
Presenter: Doug Smith
Our only presentation this month will be Doug Smith discussing the planet Venus .
ONLINE – General Meeting – November 2020
TAAA’s first Friday monthly meeting will be held online. The November meeting will have a 6:30 P.M. presentation open to the general public. This will be followed at approximately 7:15 P.M. by a members-only meeting. To view the next meeting, please visit https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy
6:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: From Tucson to Tokyo: Building a Global Movement for Dark Sky Protection
Speaker: Ruskin Hartley joined the International Dark-Sky Association in February 2019. He brings 20 years of conservation experience to IDA’s work to protect the night from light pollution. Ruskin’s passion is protecting precious natural resources. He served as Executive Director of Save the Redwoods League, a non-profit dedicated to protecting and restoring the redwood forest; as CEO of Heal the Bay in Los Angeles; and as Vice President of Resource Development at Fair Trade USA. Originally from the United Kingdom, Ruskin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cambridge and a master’s degree from the University of East Anglia. Ruskin loves to head out on the trail with his wife and kids or cook-out under the stars..
On October 23, 1987, two Tucson Doctors—one M.D. and one PH.D.—incorporated the International Dark-Sky Association devoted to the “protection and restoration of dark nighttime skies through application and promotion of proper lighting practices.” What started as an astronomical-driven venture in Tucson is now a broad movement active on all continents. While light pollution has increased in the intervening years, Tucson continues to lead the way and show what is possible. Ruskin will explore emerging themes in dark sky conservation, discuss the global perspective, and share IDA’s strategy for accelerating dark sky protection worldwide.
7:15 pm (Approx) – Second Presentation
Title: Members-only Meeting
Speaker: none
The main presentation will be followed by a members-only meeting.
ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – October 2020
Constellation of the Month:
Aries
Presenter: Connor Justice
Connor Justice will be opening the meeting with a presentation on the northern constellation Aries.
Main Presentation:
Mars
Presenter: Stephen Ferris
Afterwards, Stephen Ferris will discuss the planet Mars, which is approaching Opposition later this month.
ONLINE – General Meeting – October 2020
TAAA’s first Friday monthly meeting will be held online on Friday, Oct. 2. We will have two presentations, starting at 6:30 P.M. and open to the general public. To view the meeting, please visit https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy
6:30 pm – Main Presentation
Title: Highlights in the Next Quarter Century of Solar Eclipses
Speaker: 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 eight books on astronomy, including Atlas of Solar Eclipses: 2020-2045.
No less than 56 solar eclipses will occur in the next 25 years. But which ones should an eclipse chaser target? The longest? The closest? In this illustrated talk, former Astronomy magazine Senior Editor Michael Bakich will describe highlights to expect from the next quarter-century run of nature’s most fantastic spectacle.
7:15 pm (Approx) – Second Presentation
Title: Fall Night Sky Objects
Speaker: Mary Turner, PhD, TAAA’s appointed Chief Observer.
Dr. Turner takes us on a tour of the fall night sky. Her use of astronomical data, images, and mythology will bring seasonal changes in the sky to life, as always in her popular quarterly talks.
Planets of the Month: SEPTEMBER
by Erich Karkoschka
During early dusk, Mercury can be spotted in the southwest after the 12th, but only if you are experienced in finding it. On the 21st, Spica is only 1 degree from Mercury, seen in binoculars.
Venus is brilliant and rises before 3 am so that it is 40 degrees
high by sunrise. It races through Gemini, Cancer, and Leo, as the winter constellations take the stage nearby.
Finally, there is a special occultation of Acrab by the moon on
the 21st. Tucson is located in the middle of the visibility area.
Is it special because Acrab is a bright star, second magnitude and it is a binary separated by 14 arc-seconds. So in a telescope one can watch the events for both components happening within seconds. Disappearance will be at 6:20 pm local Tucson, which is at sunset, when Acrab is easily visible in a telescope. Reappearance will be at7:36 pm.
Full Moon: September (1); Last Quarter (10); New (17); and First Quarter (23).
Mars rises at 9 pm at the beginning of the month but already at
7 pm at the end, when it is even brighter than Jupiter. It is even
more outstanding considering that no other bright star is anywhere close to Mars. At mid month it becomes stationary and starts its opposition retrograde motion. Its diameter increases from 19″ to 22″, perfect for viewing in a telescope. After October, we will have to wait 15 years before it gets such good again. On the 5th, the moon will pass within half a degrees of Mars around 9pm.
Jupiter and Saturn are well up all evening, still setting aftermidnight. Saturn is 8 degrees east of Jupiter all month.
They are stationary mid month. Saturn’s ring is 23 degrees open this month, the last time it is so open that far for the next 10 years. Callisto’s shadow transits over Jupiter’s disk on the 13th after 11pm. Ganymede’s shadow does the same 
on the 26th from 7:30 to 11pm.
Neptune comes into opposition on the 11th. So it can be seen all night through binoculars in Aquarius. Uranus rises further east around 9pm.
ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – September 2020
Constellation of the Month:
Lacerta and Vulpecula
Presenter: Connor Justice
Connor Justice will be opening up the meeting with a presentation on the constellations Lacerta and Vulpecula.
Main Presentation:
Astronomer Johannes Kepler
Presenter: Doug Smith
Afterwards, Doug Smith will be following up with our main topic on the astronomer Johannes Kepler.
Oracle State Park Stargazing
Star Party-Oracle State Park
Tucson, AZ
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.
Virtual Star Party Stargazing
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a Virtual tour of the Night Sky. We will explore planets, Nebulae, Star Clusters, Galaxies, and much more. The event will be streamed from our Facebook Page (TAAA Facebook)
Desert Skies Virtual Star Party Stargazing
Join Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a Virtual tour of the Night Sky using three telescopes. We will explore planets Jupiter and Saturn, Nebulae, Star Clusters, Galaxies, and much more. The event will be streamed live to our Facebook Page (TAAA Facebook). You can follow our Facebook event for any weather and other updates. FREE.