Astronomy Day Celebration! The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will host a free family Astronomy Festival on Saturday April 29, 2017 from Noon to 9 pm at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E River Road (River & Alvernon) Ramada A. We will have safe solar viewing of the Sun and interactive astronomy exhibits for the kids, including building an eclipse viewer, throughout the afternoon. During the evening, there will be about 10 telescopes for observing such celestial wonders as: Jupiter, Mars, and a small crescent Moon; Double Stars and Star Clusters; Nebulae; Galaxies; and more. Plus, at 8 pm, we will have a “Walk Around the Night Sky” presentation about constellations and astronomy folk lore. At dusk, there will be a free raffle of a 50mm telescope (must be present to win) + other cool prizes. Participants can bring their personal telescopes if you want any help using it. There will also be a food truck throughout the afternoon for purchasing food.
For real-time updates (weather and changing events, check back here or follow the event on our Facebook page (link under Media on our home page).
Schedule:
Noon – 6:30 pm Safe Solar viewing of the Sun
Noon – 6:00 pm Interactive Astronomy Exhibits
– Learn about the upcoming solar eclipse by making an eclipse viewer
– Other interactive projects for kids to have fun with astronomy
7:00 pm Door Prize (free) – 50mm refractor telescope (must be present to win) + other prizes
7:30 – 9:00 pm Night Sky Viewing through TAAA telescopes
– TAAA will have a couple “kid friendly” telescopes for kids to find and
view celestial objects
8:00 pm Walk Around The Night Sky Presentation
– Learn about constellations, celestial objects, and Folk Lore
All Day / Evening Bring personal telescopes for assistance in using if desired
No charge for any activities, donations will be accepted.
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Agua Caliente Park
NORTHEAST TUCSON
Setup: 7 pm
Observing: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Viewing Location: Bus Lanes @ North end of Parking Lot
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.
Star Party-Pima County NRPR @ Tucson Mountain Park (Ironwood Picnic)
WEST TUCSON
Setup: 7 pm
Observing: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Viewing Location: Ironwood Picnic area near restroom facilities.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have several telescopes to view some amazing solar system and deep-sky celestial objects.
Star Party-Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
Setup: 6:30 PM
Observing: 7 – 10 PM
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 also have a talk about what is up in the night sky and how it relates to ancient times.
Tucson Festival of Books @ UA Mall.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will be located in Science City with hands-on Astronomy projects and telescopes to observe the Sun.
For TAAA Volunteers:
Volunteers needed for Solar Observing and Night Sky Network Toolkits
CENTRAL TUCSON
Morning Shift:
Solar Setup: 7:30 am. Start: 8:30 am. End: 1 pm
Afternoon Shift:
Solar Setup: 12 (noon). Start: 1 pm. End: 5:30 pm
Viewing Location: UA Mall (specific location TBD)
Estimated # Participants: 1500
Age/Grade: All Ages.
# Scopes Required: 6 (3 am and 3 pm shifts) or all day if you prefer. Specify date and shift when volunteering.
Other Activities: Festival of Books.
TAAA POCs: Terri Lappin, Jim Knoll
Tucson Festival of Books @ UA Mall.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will be located in Science City with hands-on Astronomy projects and telescopes to observe the Sun.
For TAAA Volunteers:
Volunteers needed for Solar Observing and Night Sky Network Toolkits
CENTRAL TUCSON
Morning Shift:
Solar Setup: 7:30 am. Start: 8:30 am. End: 1 pm
Afternoon Shift:
Solar Setup: 12 (noon). Start: 1 pm. End: 5:30 pm
Viewing Location: UA Mall (specific location TBD)
Estimated # Participants: 1500
Age/Grade: All Ages.
# Scopes Required: 6 (3 am and 3 pm shifts) or all day if you prefer. Specify date and shift when volunteering.
Other Activities: Festival of Books.
TAAA POCs: Terri Lappin, Jim Knoll
Solar Viewing-International Wildlife Museum.
FAR WEST TUCSON
Setup: 9:30 am
Observing: 10 am – 2 pm
Viewing Location: Courtyard in front of main entrance.
Estimated # Participants: 500
Age/Grade: All Ages
# Scopes Required: 2 (SOLAR Scopes)
# NSN Toolkit Volunteers: 2
Other Activities: Museum Wildlife Activities
TAAA POC: Jim Knoll
Jim O’Connor will discuss “What is a Star”.
The “Constellation of the Month” is Cancer, presented by Allen Klus.
Solar & Star Party-TAAA, in conjunction with Astronomy Magazine at Pima Community College (PCC) EAST Campus
SOUTHEAST TUCSON
Solar Observing: 10 am to Sunset (6 pm)
Evening Star Observing: 6 – 9 pm
Viewing Location: PCC Astronomy Domes on south side of campus
TAAA will have several solar telescopes during the day to safely view the Sun to include sun spots, solar prominence, and other solar activity. During the evening we will have telescopes to observe some amazing solar system and deep-sky objects, to include: the Planets Venus, Mars, & Uranus; Orion’s Nebula (a star nursery) & other gas clouds; Andromeda Galaxy (2.5 million light years away); double star systems; star clusters; and other celestial highlights. Observing will take place near the PCC Observatories on the south side of the campus. The PCC observatories will also be open for viewing. This is a free event open to the public.
UPDATE (February 15, 2017). Weather may be an issue. If overcast or raining, we will likely cancel event. Follow Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association events on Facebook for real-time update.
