Planets of the Month – December 2023

By Erich Karkoschka

Mercury has a modest evening visibility until December 14th. Look to the southwest around 6 pm with no star nearby to confuse it with.

Saturn transits before dark and is well visible until late evening.

Jupiter shifts its transits from 10 pm to 8 pm during the month. Its elevation is then 70 degrees and its 48 arc-second diameter is perfect for telescope viewing.

Venus comes up around 4 am and is almost 40 degrees high in the southeast by the time the sun rises.

Uranus is east of Jupiter and Neptune is east of Saturn. Both are placed well for evening observation with binoculars.

Vesta, minor planet number 4, comes into opposition on December 21st (Winter Solstice). It therefore is very close to the point where the sun is at the summer solstice, between Taurus and Gemini. Its magnitude of 6.4 is at the limit of naked eye visibility.

The Moon visits Venus on December 19th, when Venus is easily visible after sunrise and perhaps even at noon as the moon is a guide to the location of Venus. The Moon is close to Saturn on the 17th.

December 13th is one of the best times of the year to watch meteors as the Gemini’s peak that evening.

Grand Canyon Star Party

The Grand Canyon Star Party (GCSP) will be held this year from June 1 – 8 at the Grand Canyon National Park. Telescope observing typically goes from 8-11 pm at the Visitor Center of the South Rim. There will also be a GCSP at the North Rim.

We will have up to 60 telescopes each night observing planets, galaxies, multiple star systems, star clusters, nebulae, and much more.

For more information, see the TAAA GCSP webpage at: Grand Canyon Star Party or the National Park Service Grand Canyon Webpage at: NPS Grand Canyon Webpage

Star Parties

December 18, 2023 Chiricahua Astronomy Complex Telescope Observing

If you have family in town for the Holidays, whether you are a TAAA member or not, and want to participate in a telescope observing session at our Chiricahua Astronomy Complex (CAC), we are offering a two-hour observing session for a nominal fee per person. This is a perfect way to show family & visitors our dark skies and great astronomy conditions. The fee for the session is $50/adult and $25/youth under age 16.

We will be observing several planets to include Saturn and Jupiter, Galaxies millions of light years away, multiple star systems with stars orbiting around each other, star clusters, nebulae, and much more.

Observing will be Monday December 18, 2023 from 6 – 8 pm. To reserve, please make a reservation using the form at: https://tucsonastronomy.org/tsa-at-our-dark-site/ and input the December 18th date in the “Requested Date” field. We will send you an invoice to pay the required fee (fully refundable if you cancel at least 48 hours in advance or if we have weather issues the evening of the event).

Chiricahua Astronomy Complex Address: 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ (about 1.5 to 2 hours SE of Tucson near the Chiricahua Mountains). More information on CAC is available at: https://tucsonastronomy.org/taaa-member-resources/observing-sites/chiricahua-astronomy-complex/

For any questions, email the CAC Director at: cac-director[at]tucsonastronomy.org.

32 inch Cassegrain Project

Planets of the Month — November 2023

By Erich Karkoschka

Saturn transits just after dark. Its rings are tilted less than during the last 10 years.

Jupiter is at opposition on the 3rd with an almost maximum magnitude of -2.8. It transits 71 degrees high. On the 24th, Ganymede transits on Jupiter’s disk early in the evening, followed by its shadow, lasting until 9 pm.

Uranus is at opposition on the 13th. It lies 10 degrees east of Jupiter at magnitude 5.6.

Neptune is between Jupiter and Saturn.

So, there are all four giant planets in the evening sky.

Venus is just past greatest elongation and very conspicuous at the beginning of dawn.

The Moon is close to Jupiter on the 24th and 25th.

What We're About

CAC Learning Center Open House

Members, friends and relatives enjoy and evening under the dark skies of the Chiricahua Astronomy Complex to celebrate the opening of the buildings in the new Learning Center.

The buildings include a classroom, a kitchenette, 4 restrooms and 10 sleeping rooms making overnight stays at the site an ease.

Stargazing @ Canoa Ranch

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 at Agua Caliente Park

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

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 @ Picacho Peak State Park

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 Oracle State Park

Viewing Location: Kannally Ranch House
Ugly sweater night. Wear your ugliest sweater and view the stars!

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 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 Events Page: (https://www.facebook.com/TucsonAstronomy/)

Also: Check the Oracle State Park website for additional information:
Ugly Sweater Star Party | Oracle State Park (azstateparks.com)