Tag Archives: Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Chiricahua National Monument Stargazing

TAAA Stargazing to view amazing solar system and deep sky objects from a Dark Sky Park. You will see the planet Uranus, 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 Faraway Ranch just inside the entrance gate.  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 Facebook closer to the event for any updates.

Catalina State Park Stargazing

Star Party-Catalina State Park
Tucson, AZ
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 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/).

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

Agua Caliente Park Stargazing

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/).

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Eventbrite Registration

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.

32 inch Cassegrain Project, Astronomical Events, General Astronomy, Solar System

Planets of the Month: AUGUST

By Erich Karkoschka

Mercury will start its visibility at dusk, but will never get very obvious. It remains close to the Sun.

Venus is the evening star during dusk. It passes Beta Virginis on the 13th at only 7 arc minutes in distance, similar to the distance between Jupiter and Saturn during the last winter solstice. But the faintness of the star will probably require binoculars to see it.

Saturn comes to opposition on August 2nd, when it rises at sunset. Around that time, its rings are very bright as compared to the planet.

Jupiter also comes to opposition this month on August 22nd. The evening before, the Full Moon will be right next to Jupiter.

On the evening of August 18th, the Moon occults Nunki, the second brightest star of the teapot asterism in Sagittarius. In Nogales, it will last from 7:47 to 8:01 pm, but in Tucson the Moon will not quite make it, although it will get very close to the star. In between there is a grazing occupation which is rare for such a bright star to get so close to us.
August is meteor month. The Perseids will peak on the night of August 11-12 when the Moon is next to Venus which sets early. It cannot be much better than that!! Look toward the east late evening or early morning toward the constellation Perseus.
General Astronomy, Musings, Solar System

Planets of the Month: MAY

by Erich Karksochka

Mercury and Venus are visible low in the west at dusk.  Mercury is almost 10 degrees higher than Venus and easier to see.  After
mid-month. their separation decreases and Venus appears far brighter than Mercury.  Mercury is visible naked eye until the 26th.  
On the 28th, as Mercury is stationary,  Venus passes by
at only half a degree distance.  In a telescope, their two disks
match in size, but Venus is 300 times brighter and 98 %
illuminated, Mercury only
13 % illuminated.
Mars is still an early evening planet, wandering through Gemini.
Jupiter rises before 2 am and comes about 30 degrees high during dawn. It is separated from Saturn by about 18 degrees.
Saturn rises before 2 am and comes about 30 degrees high during dawn. It is separated from Jupiter by about 18 degrees.
Vesta is still 7th magnitude in Leo, an easy object for binoculars.
During the morning of the 26th, the moon has its first total
eclipse in two years.  Totality is only 18 minutes long, just barely
getting fully into the Earth’s umbra, from 4:10 to 4:28, just as
dawn starts.  The setting moon partially eclipsed around
5:25 should be beautiful.
The moon is only a degree from Venus on the evening of the 12th.
Venus is easier to find than the moon since the moon is only 1 %
illuminated, Venus is essentially full.  If it is clear in the west,
the moon will be just barely visible naked eye.  Three days later, the
moon will be almost as close to Mars.