Desert Skies

Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association

Volume L, Number 11, November, 2004

Contents

Calendar of Events

TAAA MEETING DATE: Friday, Nov. 6 at the Steward Observatory Auditorium – Room N210

ASTRONOMY ESSENTIALS: 6:30 pm
Title: Constellations
Speaker: Dean Salman

This month Dean will talk about a method he used to learn and remember the constellations in the sky and where they are during the year. He will also cover a method he used when he was 16 on a way to remember the names of the brighter stars in those constellations.

GENERAL MEETING: 7:30 pm
Title: Member Backyard Observatories
Speaker: TAAA Members

November’s meeting will showcase several backyard observatories of TAAA member’s.

So, what is a backyard observatory? My definition of a backyard observatory is basically a place to keep your observing equipment setup and ready for use. They can range from a modified plastic storage shed on wheels, to a building with a permanent pier and control room. The main difference between a backyard observatory and an astronomical observatory is usually the size and what the observatory is used for. This definition, as with many other definitions in Astronomy, is open to interpretation.

This month the TAAA presents 4 local backyard observatories - 3 roll-off-roof observatories and 1 commercial dome observatory. The meeting is just to whet everyone’s appetite. We have on-site tours of the observatories planned, beginning the day after the monthly meeting, November 6, 2004. If you are interested in attending one of the open-observatory visits, please contact Michael Turner via the TAAA Forum on Yahoo! by sending an email to: taaaforum@yahoogroups.com. Or, send a private email to my address listed in the front of the newsletter. Just let me know that you want to attend. The preferred method of travel to the observatories is by caravan. The owners have assured us that there is plenty of parking. There is going to be a “staging area” setup so that we can gather and then proceed to the observatories as a group. There are 2 visits planned for Saturday, November 6. A visit planned for Saturday, November 13, and the last visit is still unscheduled. The advance notification of your attendance is just a planning formality. If you decide on Saturday morning to show up at the gathering point, that’s OK.

We thank Carter Smith and his mom, Mae, for bringing refreshments this month.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 6:30 pm at Steward Observatory Conference Room N305

STAR PARTIES AND EVENTS:
03 Nov - Desert View High Star Party
04 Nov - Carson Middle School Star Party
06 Nov – TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
09 Nov - White Elementary ES SP Star Party
11 Nov – Astrophoto SIG
13 Nov – TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas
15 Nov - Davis Education Center Star Party
16 Nov - Blue Chip Club Star Party
19 Nov - Donaldson Elementary Star Party
20 Nov - Silent Astronomy Star Party
23 Nov - Cragin Elementary Star Party

NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE: Deadline for articles: Sat, Nov. 20. Printing: Mon, Nov. 22. Folding Party: Tues, Nov. 23. Mailing: Wed, Nov. 24. The newsletter is mailed at least one week prior to the following month’s General Meeting.


The board of directors meeting is the second Wednesday of the month. The astrophoto SIG is the first Thursday after the monthly meeting.

 

General Information




		
             Office               Name                Phone        Email
             ------               ----                -----        -----
             President            Thom Peck          327-7825     thomas.peck@optics.arizona.edu
             Vice-President       Michael Turner     743-3437     Mrmgturner@earthlink.net
             Secretary            Steve Marten       906-0049     TAAAStarParty@aol.com
             Treasurer            Terri Lappin       579-0185     tklappin@earthlink.net
             Member-at-Large      Ed Finney          296-9266     eefinney@NetZero.net
             Member-at-Large      Bill Lofquist      297-6653     wlofquist@aol.com
             Member-at-Large      Ray Toscano        529-3074     ray_toscano@Earthlink.net
			 
			Other Officers for 2003

            School S. Party Schedule Coordinator    Steve Marten        906-0049   steve1636@aol.com
            School S. Party Volunteer Coordinator   Robert Wilson       744-0263   rasjwilson@aol.com
            Desert Skies Editor                     George Barber       822-2392   barbergj@flash.net
            AstroLeague Correspondent               Nick de Mesa        797-6614   demesan@onsetbeach.com
            Astrophotography SIG                    Dean Ketelsen       293-2855   ketelsen@as.arizona.edu
            Astrocomputing SIG                      Roger Tanner        574-3876   rtanner@seds.lpl.arizona.edu
            Chief Observer                          Wayne Johnson       586-2244   mrgalaxy@juno.com
            Webmaster                               Dean Salman         250-0407   E-Mail
			 Equipment Loan Coordinator (ELC)        Jerry Penegor       320-1872   penegor@dakotacom.net
			 Club Sales                              Ann Scott           749-4867   lbscott61@cox.net
TAAA Mission Statement

Membership in the TAAA

Desert Skies Publishing Guidelines

Desert Skies is published monthly by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, PO Box 41254, Tucson, Arizona 85717

 

President's Message

Club News

Member News

We welcome the most recent members to join the TAAA: Janis Eklund, Jerome Ernst, Pete Irish and family, Sharon Kether & John Seneca (returning members), and Rebekah Zumbrunnen. Glad to have all of you join! New members should be sure to pick up a new members pack at a meeting. Hope you’ll make it to our star parties or meetings so we can all get to know you. (Updated membership lists are available to any member at most meetings, so pick one up if you need it.)


Basha’s Thanks A Million Program

The Basha’s Thanks A Million for Friends and Neighbors program is underway now through March 31, 2005. If you shop at Basha’s, ask the cashier to link your Thank You card to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Our ID # is 23178. (Basha’s customer service also has a list of ID numbers if you forget this number.) If you participated last year, you still need to sign up at the register again. At the end of the program, provided we meet their minimum of $2500 in combined sales, the TAAA will receive a donation equal to 1% of the total purchases made by our members. So, if you shop Basha’s, remember to have your Thank You card linked to the TAAA (ID #23178).


TAAA Speaker Schedule

Below is our lecture schedule for the next 6 months. Topics we are trying to arrange are: Mars, Saturn & Titan, and Arizona weather patterns for observing. If you have a suggested topic or speaker in mind send an email to Terri at tklappin@earthlink.net or call her at 579-0185.

Astro-photo SIG Meeting
Nov 11, 7pm
China Rose, NE corner Speedway/Rosemont

We've had some great presentations lately, with CCD images, planetary webcams, and film. Come see some of the state of the imaging art over some Chinese food. Just show up and enjoy the show!


Calendars for 2005

Calendars for 2005 will be sold at regular meetings this fall at the same table where you can purchase TAAA apparel. (Ann Scott has new apparel available this fall.) The calendar we have selected is called Deep Space Mysteries and is published by the same people who bring us Astronomy magazine each month. The cost for the calendars is $10 each (~$2 off the regular selling price), or $9 each for more than one. This calendar has daily information about astronomical events, both historical and observational…plus space for adding important events you need to remember. Each month features a full-color astronomical image of a deep sky object.

Proceeds from the sale of these calendars will be used appropriately as decided by the board. Thank you to all who support the TAAA through the purchase of the yearly calendars.



TAAA Apparel

Looking for Christmas gifts, or a way to make that fashion statement? Try on something from our fine line of club apparel. We’ve got hats, T-shirts, denim shirts, and patches. Plan ahead with a new 2005 Calendar, also available at the apparel table. We take cash and checks.


Astrophoto SIG: CCD Image Processing Workshops
Preparations are underway for the remaining sessions. These workshops are intended for those imaging with dedicated astronomical CCD cameras such as SBIG and Starlight Xpress. Webcam imaging and processing require different software and techniques that will not be covered in these workshops. This next session will cover topics such as:
• The imaging Session
• Acquiring a Grayscale Image
• Basic Image processing techniques
The session will be split between lecture and hands-on lab work. You’ll need your own laptop and software to follow along. Based on feedback we’ve received so far, this session will likely use MaxIm DL and possibly Photoshop, but that could change.

As of this writing a date has not been set for the next workshop, but it will likely occur before you receive the next newsletter. Further details will soon be posted to the TAAA’s Yahoo Announcement list (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tucsonastronomy). These workshops are limited to TAAA members and advance sign-up is required. For more information or to register contact Ray Toscano at ray_toscano@earthlink.net or 529-3074.

All-Arizona Star Party
By Tom Watson

In spite of cloudy weather and some wind, I decided to follow through on my plan to attend this year's All Arizona Star Party. The trip out took me north to Casa Grande, and then doubled back past Arizona City through a combination of mesquite dominated desert scrub and farm fields. I’m a fan of desert landscapes, and this one was pleasant enough, but the F1 tornado-sized dust devils did not, to me, seem to be a good omen. Since I don’t believe in omens, I drove on and eventually pulled into a wide, dusty field. There may have been all of 20 vehicles visible. The weather for this event was iffy at best, and I was not surprised to see it poorly attended - the clouds and wind seemed endless. There was no sign of life; those stalwarts still in attendance were asleep or (as I later learned) in town for lunch. It was definitely a star party though, with a variety telescopes standing watch around the cars. As the warm afternoon passed and the clouds thickened, people began to wake up and return from town. A small crowd began to gather for an even smaller swap meet. There were at least a couple other TAAA members there, but I’m sorry to admit the only one I remember by name is Andy Cooper. (Sorry guys!) Quite a few folks departed near sunset, since the weather was apparently not improving, but those of us who held on were briefly rewarded. Near sunset breaks opened in the clouds and revealed a lovely 2-day-old Moon. I had by then set up the 3-legged newt and turned it on the Moon. I’d been joking all along that if I saw anything at all through the scope at this dark (but cloudy) site, I’d call the trip worthwhile. I found it pleasantly ironic that it seemed the observation would be a quick look at the Moon, which needs no dark site to be properly appreciated.

And then something wonderful happened. As darkness fell the wind died to a whisper and the skies began to clear. At first it was just parts of the sky showing, but eventually the sky cleared almost completely for about two hours, and the 3-legged newt was under truly dark skies for the first time. The first thing I did was to find M31 to compare a dark sky view with what I knew from in town. I can honestly say I finally have some sense for the extent of the galaxy that bears Andromeda’s name - that thing is huge! I’ve also finally seen both companion galaxies, picking up M110 for the first time. There was no observing plan; I just started tracking down favorite objects. It was obvious from the darkness in the west that these clear skies would not last forever. I made that time count. I had an excellent view of M22 (oh, man!), as well as M11, M8, M24, M57, the Double Cluster and the Pleiades. It was almost disconcerting to see the Ring Nebula with so many stars in the same field of view. For the heck of it, I took a moment to look at Mizar and Alcor low in the northwest, as well as Alberio. And of course, I spent some time just standing there and looking up at the Milky Way. There is no way anyone can ever get tired of that sight.

I eventually remembered that Andy Cooper had gone off into the night to set up his scope, an 18” dob (if I remember correctly). So I wandered over there and was given a look at the planetary nebula NGC 40 and a galaxy near Beta Andromedae (the designation for which I can’t recall). All too soon the clouds were pushing back in, so I wandered around a bit to see what other people were still seeing between the clouds. Eventually it was too cloudy to do much, so I went back to my camp, battened down the hatches, and crawled into the vehicle to get some sleep. Sleep didn’t come easily, between the wind and the coyotes singing. Whenever I woke up I peered out to see if the skies had opened up again, but not until just before sunrise did I have the chance to observe anything else. Saturn was high in the sky, by then. Orion, sorry to say, was clouded over. In the brief time I had before those clouds moved over Saturn I was able to take a 200x look at Saturn and its rings, Cassini division and all. And so the observational part of my first-ever star party came to an end. As star parties go, so I’m told, this wasn’t a great one. But for me, being new to such things, it was a night to remember.

WEBSITES: TRIPS ON THE INTERNET SUPER-SKYWAY
By Rik Hill

Far out, man.

We are well into fall now. An evening's observing begins with our friends of summer dipping into the twilight and ends with Orion peeking over the trees or mountains to the east with Sirius dancing and flashing on the southeastern horizon. These crisp, clear, cool autumnal nights give us an opportunity to leave the summer confines of the Milky Way and explore the deepest reaches of the universe.

There's a very good article in the Nov. Sky & Telescope on the dynamics inside tight galaxy clusters followed by an all-to-brief one page article on Stephan's Quintet. These are tantalizing to say the least. So what else along these lines is available to the visual amateur astronomer armed with a reasonably sized aperture? We have some nice websites to guide us here.

First, it's a good idea to get an overview of what's available. The first astronomer to make note of this clustering was George O. Abell (UCLA) back when the first Palomar Atlas was being worked on. His catalogue of "Abell Clusters" is available online at: http://adsbit.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1989ApJS...70....1A

This will give you your shopping list. In most of them you will not even be able to see the brightest member, usually a giant elliptical galaxy that just finished dining on some of the smaller members!

But if this list is a bit to daunting, try the more abbreviated one of the nearest super clusters at: http://www.anzwers.org/free/universe/supercls.html

Either of these will get you going with a checklist.

One nice site with lots of images of clusters is at: http://www.astr.ua.edu/white/mug/cluster/clusters.html

Some more images of select clusters can be seen at: http://users2.ev1.net/~earthlings/Galaxies/Galaxies_Clusters.htm
http://acs.pha.jhu.edu/~jpb/clusters/

Of course you can download images of any of these clusters you want to examine by going to the Digitized Sky Survey, which was done with the Palomar and UK Schmidt telescopes:
http://stdatu.stsci.edu/dss/

Just follow the links and use one of the lists above to give you the positions you'll need.

Want to see what to expect? Some other amateurs have put their results on the web.
http://www.bpccs.com/lcas/Articles/galclust.htm

Arizonan Ron Morales has a website and chairs a program for observing these. If you are charged by this check out his website at:
http://www.rca-omsi.org/ggc/

As Orion is rising, if you have a good southern horizon, you can explore one of the most magnificent galaxy clusters of the fall sky in Fornax. It's conveniently located just beyond the hypotenuse of a triangle of stars in Eridanus making it easy to find:
http://www.utahskies.org/deepsky/constellations/fornax.html

A listing and AAO photo of the cluster members can be found at:
http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/AAO/images/captions/uks013a.html

Steve Coe of Phoenix has descriptions of the members at:
http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/obsnotes/FORNAX.htm

How many of the cluster members can you pick out?

Now don your jacket, get out that telescope, a nice mug of hot Wilcox cider and enjoy exploring the farthest reaches of the fall galaxies!

As always, if you know of a particularly good website you would like mentioned here, drop me a line at: rhill@lpl.arizona.edu


VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Southern Arizona Section of the International Dark Sky Association (SA-IDA) is looking for volunteers to help publicize information about good out-door lighting and the effects of light pollution.

We have a poster board for viewing and pamphlets to give out. These can be brought to all types of functions including star parties, neighborhood gatherings, community meetings, school functions, youth activities, etc..

We have found this to be most rewarding, and of course, any one can help out All you need to have is an interest !!! You do not even need to own a telescope.

For more information, please contact me personally (or write).
John Polacheck
Telephone: (520)-743-1362
E-mail: jpolacheck@earthlink.net
Address: 4530 W. Camino Pintoresco
Tucson, AZ 85745


ARCHAEOASTRONOMY
Presented by the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society
Tuesday evenings, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., November 9, 16, and 23, 2004

John Fountain, Instructor
This course will cover the history of archaeoastronomy, the many forms it takes, and review major examples throughout the world. There will be special emphasis on examples of archaeoastronomy in the southwestern United States and relevant ethnography. Methods of archaeoastronomical research will be reviewed. We will discuss basic concepts of astronomy without a telescope and consider how they may be applied to studying archaeological sites. We seek to better understand how astronomy played a role in the life, society, and religious practice of early people. No background in astronomy or mathematics is required.

John Fountain is retired from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the U of A. During his 25 years there he studied the moon and planets by earth-based observation and with the NASA Ranger, Pioneer, and Voyager programs. He is co-author of the Consolidated Lunar Atlas, used by the Apollo astronauts, and co-discoverer of two satellites of Saturn. For the past 12 years he has done research in archaeoastronomy.
His co-edited volume, Current Studies in Archaeoastronomy: Conversations Across Time and Space (with Rolf M. Sinclair) is due out this fall.

*Suggested reading:* There are no good comprehensive texts on archaeoastronomy. Prehistoric Astronomy in the Southwest by Malville and Putnam has a good introduction to astronomy relevant to archaeoastronomy and some examples of its application. Living the Sky by Ray Williamson gives more examples of archaeoastronomy and related ethnography. While not required for the course, both could be useful to class participants.

Cost is $30 for AAHS members and $40 for non-members; $10 discount available for students and K-12 teachers. Pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Laurie Webster at (520) 325-5435 or Lwebster1@mindspring.com <mailto:lwebster1@mindspring.com> (please note the 1).

*******************************************************************************
By Alex Cook:

About 4 - 5 years ago, my wife and I took one of these short courses (3 or 4 evenings, once a week) from Ray White, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy. He went over all the prehistoric sites in Europe and the Americas and discussed measurement issues and what could have been observed from those locations. He had a particular interest in Machu Pichu and had spent several years measuring and detailing everything there was to know about the "observatory" located there. He is a really interesting lecturer and could probably be approached by TAAA to give a talk about Machu Pichu. An interesting aside, did you know the Incans of Peru defined constellations not by the stars, but by the black area between star groupings? Their major constellation is the Great Mother Llama - or, as Ray White called it, the Mama Llama.

 

 

Star Parties and Events

Desert View High Star Party Southeast
Wednesday, 11/03/2004 No. of Scopes: 5

Desert View High will be hosting “Desert Sky View” at 4101 E. Valencia Road. From Speedway and Alvernon, proceed south and continue past I-10 and Benson Hwy. At Valencia turn left (east) and continue about 1/2mile to school on left (north) side of street (on Valencia between Alvernon and I-10. Viewing will be in the grassy field north of the school. Enter through the east parking lot and drive north past the dumpsters and mobile home on the east end of the building. Contact person David Bunch can be reached at 545.5210 or email jimt@susd12.org. Set-Up Time: 6:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Sunset: 6:17pm, Dark Sky: 7:39pm Moon Phase: Crescent.

Carson Middle School Star Party East
Thursday, 11/4/2004 No. of Scopes: 7

Carson Middle School preparing for “Starry Night” at 7777 E Stella Rd. From the corner of Golf Links and Pantano, head south on Pantano 0.5 mi to Stella Rd and turn right (west). The school is about a tenth of a mile down Stella Rd on the left. Viewing will be on the basketball court east side. Contact person Julie Hoggard can be reached at 584.4730 or email julie.hoggard@tusd.k12.az.us. Set-Up Time: 6:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm. Sunset: 5:31pm, Dark Sky: 6:54pm Moon Phase: Last Quarter.


TAAA Star Party at TIMPA
Saturday, 06 Nov., 2004

Come on out and enjoy the autumn skies! TIMPA star parties are great for both beginners and experienced observers. Our novice members can get help with observing issues or equipment problems, as there are many experienced members there who would be happy to help. If you don’t own a telescope, come anyways, because there are lots of telescopes set up and everyone is invited to look through them. This is a great way to check out different telescope designs before you make that all-important decision to buy. There is no scheduled talk for this activity, just come out and enjoy. We’ll do our best to get you the answers you need. If you have friends or relatives who are curious about amateur astronomy, feel free to bring them along. The TIMPA site features a large parking area, and full restroom facilities. Be prepared for cold temperatures after sunset. Directions to the TIMPA site are located on the outside flap of this newsletter.


White Elementary ES SP Star Party Southwest
Tuesday, 11/9/2004 No. of Scopes: 6

White Elementary ES SP will be holding “Salsa III” at 2315 W. Canada St. Get on I-10 TO I-19 south. Exit onto Irvington westbound (exit #89) to S. Mission Rd., and turn left (south). Go 1/2 mile to W Canada St., turn right (west). School is on left side of street. The viewing area is on the south field near portable LRC 90B. Use the gate on Canada St. that is just east of the first parking lot; take the dirt road to the south field. Contact person Anne Peralta can be reached at 908.5377 or email anne.peralta@tusd.k12.az.us. Set-Up Time: 6:30pm. Observing will be from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Sunset: 5:31pm, Dark Sky: 6:54pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).


TAAA Star Party at Las Cienegas (Empire Ranch)
Saturday, 13 Nov., 2004

Las Cienegas (formerly Empire Ranch) has been our normal dark-sky observing site for quite a number of years. Please try to arrive before sunset. Stay as long as you like, but let everyone know when you are ready to leave; someone may be taking astrophotos. Bring a telescope if you have one, but you don’t need one to attend. Any member would be glad to let you look through their telescope. There are no restroom facilities at the site, so be prepared. Las Cienegas is at 4000 feet, and fall is here, so be prepared for cold temperatures after sunset. Attendees should park their vehicles either perpendicular to the airstrip facing toward the center of the strip, or parallel to the airstrip along either side facing west. That way, when you are ready to leave, you will not have to back up and turn on your bright white backup lights. See the directions to Las Cienegas on the outside flap of this newsletter.


Davis Education Center Star Party South-Central
Tuesday, 11/15/2004 No. of Scopes: 4

Davis Education Center will be planning for “MoonScope on a Starry Night” at 5660 S. 12th Ave. Take Irvington to 12th Ave., turn south then continue past the light at Nebraska until the La Princessa shopping plaza on the right (and before Drexel). Turn right at street on south side of shopping plaza; school is behind shopping center. Contact person Ms. Heather Hilliard can be reached at 722-8130 or email hhilliard@deccs.org. Set-Up Time: 5:45pm. Observing will be from 6:15pm to 7:30pm. Sunset: 5:24pm, Dark Sky: 6:48pm Moon Phase: Crescent.

Blue Chip Club Star Party Northwest
Tuesday, 11/16/2004 No. of Scopes: 2

Blue Chip Club will be conducting Nature Appreciation Night at Catalina State Park. Head north on Oracle, past Ina, Magee and 1st Ave. Catalina Park entrance is past Shurgard Storage (lighthouse structure- can’t miss it) about ¾ mile on right, after wash. Viewing will be held at the trailhead at the end of the asphalt road (proceed straight to very end of road- no turns). Contact person Kevin Truitt can be reached at 626-7070 or email ktruitt@email.arizona.edu. Set-Up Time: 6:00pm. Observing will be from 6:30 pm to 8:00pm. Sunset: 5:23pm, Dark Sky: 6:48pm Moon Phase: Late Crescent.

Donaldson Elementary Star Party Northwest
Friday, 11/19/2004 No. of Scopes: 5

Donaldson Elementary will be celebrating “Exploring the Night Sky” at 240 W Omar Drive. Take La Cholla Blvd North from River Road. Go right (east) on Omar Drive (Omar is the next traffic light North of Orange Grove Road). The school is on the North side of the street, immediately after turning onto Omar. To enter the playground, turn into the last parking lot entrance (someone will be there to direct you to the exact observing position). Contact person Samuel Cox can be reached at 794-1663 or email kljohnsonmk@email.msn.com. Set-Up Time: 6:30 pm. Observing will be from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm. Sunset: 5:22pm, Dark Sky: 6:47pm Moon Phase: First Quarter.

Silent Astronomy Star Party Northwest
Saturday, 11/20/2004 No. of Scopes: 2

Silent Astronomy, a group of deaf and hard-of-hearing students and parents, will be holding “Silent Astronomy Star Party” at Catalina State Park. Head north on Oracle, past Ina, Magee and 1st Ave. Catalina Park entrance is past Shurgard Storage (lighthouse structure- can’t miss it) about ¾ mile on right, after wash. Viewing will be held at the trailhead at the end of the asphalt road (proceed straight to very end of road- no turns). Contact person Letty can be reached by email at silentdinnerclub@yahoo.com. Barbecue will be available for TAAA volunteers! Set-Up Time: 5:30pm. Observing will be from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. Sunset: 5:21pm, Dark Sky: 65:47pm Moon Phase: First Quarter.

Cragin Elementary Star Party Central
Tuesday, 11/23/2004 No. of Scopes: 8

Cragin Elementary will be preparing for “MoonScope” at 2945 N. Tucson Blvd. From Grant and Campbell: take Grant west to Tucson Blvd, turn left (north); School is on corner of Tucson Blvd and Blacklidge. (Between Glenn and Ft. Lowell). Viewing will be Field near Ramada on West side of school. Contact person Tina Zadro can be reached at 232-6700 or email tzadro@earthlink.net. Set-Up Time: 7:00 pm. Observing will be from 7:30 pm to 9:00pm. Sunset: 5:22pm, Dark Sky: 6:47pm Moon Phase: (no moon during viewing).

Dark Skies for November 
 
DARK SKIES (no twilight, no moonlight) for Tucson in 24-hour MST: 18=6pm, 20=8pm, 22=10pm, 0=12am
RISE, SET, VISIBILITY for sun and bright planets: rise for morning object, set for evening object


Su/Mo 31/ 1  18:57 - 19:58         Th/Fr  11/12  18:50 -  5:26        Su/Mo  21/22   3:00 -  5:34
Mo/Tu  1/ 2  18:56 - 20:48         Fr/Sa  12/13  18:49 -  5:27        Mo/Tu  22/23   4:00 -  5:35
Tu/We  2/ 3  18:55 - 21:42         Sa/Su  13/14  18:49 -  5:28        Tu/We  23/24   4:59 -  5:36
We/Th  3/ 4  18:55 - 22:39                                            We/Th  24/25    -   -   -  
Th/Fr  4/ 5  18:54 - 23:37         Su/Mo  14/15  19:16 -  5:29        Th/Fr  25/26    -   -   -  
Fr/Sa  5/ 6  18:53 -  0:36         Mo/Tu  15/16  20:21 -  5:29        Fr/Sa  26/27    Full Moon  
Sa/Su  6/ 7  18:53 -  1:36         Tu/We  16/17  21:32 -  5:30        Sa/Su  27/28    -   -   -  
                                   We/Th  17/18  22:43 -  5:31                                   
Su/Mo  7/ 8  18:52 -  2:35         Th/Fr  18/19  23:52 -  5:32        Su/Mo  28/29    -   -   -  
Mo/Tu  8/ 9  18:52 -  3:36         Fr/Sa  19/20   0:58 -  5:32        Mo/Tu  29/30  18:45 - 19:34
Tu/We  9/10  18:51 -  4:40         Sa/Su  20/21   2:00 -  5:33        Tu/We  30/ 1  18:45 - 20:30
We/Th 10/11  18:50 -  5:26                                            We/Th   1/ 2  18:45 - 21:27


Weekend    Sun   Sun      Mercury     Venus      Mars     Jupiter    Saturn                       
Sa/Su      Set   Rise     Set  Vi    Rise Vi   Rise Vi    Rise Vi   Rise Vi    Vi=Visibility      
                                                                                                  
30/31     17:33  6:38     18:15 8    3:52 -3   5:26  6    4:14 -1   22:42 0    -3 brilliant       
 6/ 7     17:27  6:44     18:21 6    4:04 -3   5:20  5    3:53 -1   22:15 0     0 conspicuous     
13/14     17:23  6:51     18:28 5    4:16 -3   5:14  5    3:31 -1   21:47 0     3 moderate        
20/21     17:19  6:57     18:34 4    4:29 -3   5:09  4    3:10 -1   21:19 0     6 naked eye limit 
27/28     17:17  7:03     18:30 5    4:42 -3   5:04  4    2:48 -2   20:51 0     9 binoculars limit

By Erich Karkoschka
Meeting Minutes

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