Stargazing at Chiricahua National Monument

December 20, 2025 @ 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

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.  The event is free of charge, no reservations are required. 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.

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Stargazing @ Picacho Peak State Park

December 20, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 8:30 pm

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 advanced amateur 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/events

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Stargazing at Saguaro National Park – East Side – Venue change.

December 19, 2025 @ 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

Star Party – Saguaro National Park – East Side
Now at their Desert Learning Center

12661 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85730
Map Coordinates: 32.22239965337127, -110.72231843802784
Drive to the end of Broadway Blvd, parking is limited along roadside. Guides will give directions, short walk to site.

Great dark skies on the East side of Tucson at Saguaro National Park – East Side’s Desert Learning Center. Please do not go to the National Park entrance, it will be closed due to construction.
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: Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Stargazing at Catalina State Park

December 13, 2025 @ 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

Star Party at 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 ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook).

Additional details will be posted here and on Facebook as we get closer to the event.

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Stargazing at Tucson Mountain Park – Juan Santa Cruz Picnic Area

December 12, 2025 @ 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

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

Event is FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Go to this link to register: https://www.explore.pima.gov/pima/programs and click on the “Environmental Education” square to select. Once open, type in “stargazing” for the keyword and then scroll down for the event.
These events may fill up early.

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Cancelled/Rescheduled – Stargazing at Chiricahua National Monument

November 22, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 8:30 pm

This Star Party has been rescheduled for Dec. 20th.

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.  The event is free of charge, no reservations are required. 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.

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Stargazing at Agua Caliente Park

November 21, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 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.

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: ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook)

FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
These events fill up fast so recommend registering early.

To Register go to: Pima County Parks and Recreation Then Log in or Create an account. Once logged in click on “Environmental Education”. You should get the Pop-up screen “Register for a Program”. Scroll down to the event on the list and click on the “Register” button. You must be logged in for the Registration screen to work.

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Cancelled/Rescheduled – Stargazing at Saguaro National Park – East

November 15, 2025 @ 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

This Star Party has been cancelled and rescheduled for Dec. 19th.

Star Party – Saguaro National Park – East
3693 S Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730

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: Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Stargazing at Oracle State Park

November 1, 2025 @ 6:30 pm 8:30 pm

Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House 

  • Typically a music event prior, check the park’s website below.
  • Star Party telescope viewing (6:30 – 8:30pm)

Information: Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Oracle State Park.
3820 E Wildlife Dr., Oracle, AZ 85623
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)

Bernie Stinger

612-396-8839

Chiricahua National Monument

12856 E Rhyolite Creek Rd
Willcox, AZ 85643 United States
View Venue Website

Planets of the Month: October 2025

By Erich Karkoschka

Mars is just visible at dusk during the first half of October.

Mercury is visible during the second half of October, a little better than Mars. It passes Mars two degrees south on the 20th.

Saturn transits 55 degrees high during late evening. Its rings are thin, and thinning further. The ring tilt decreases from 1.5 to .6 degrees. On the 5th, a transit of Titan occurs across Saturn’s disk, starting at 6:25 pm. Titan’s shadow moves near Saturn’s North Pole from 9:26 to 11:44 pm.

Neptune is 3 degrees to the northeast of Saturn.

Uranus is up during late evening, 4 degrees south of the Pleiades.

Jupiter rises around midnight and is high up by dawn.

Venus rises around 5 am and is 20 degrees high by sunrise.

The moon moves across the Pleiades on the 9th from 8 to 10 pm.