Public Star Parties, Lectures and Events

Interested in planets around other stars? On April 4, Dr. Gilda Ballester of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory will speak to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association about "Space Telescope Observations of the Atmospheres of Hot-Jupiter Extrasolar Planets&." She is the University of Arizona scientist who discovered the "layer cake" structure of a hot-Jupiter planet, among many other achievements, and is a fascinating and lively speaker.

More information on TAAA meetings.

Dr. Yancy Shirley, Bok Fellow at Steward Observatory, will speak on "The Earliest Phases of Star Formation."

More information on Steward Observatory's Spring 2008 Evening Talks.

Dr. Jeffrey Bennett of the University of Colorado will speak about "Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future."

More information on Steward Observatory's Spring 2008 Evening Talks.

It's Member's Night! Come and hear Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association members talk about their projects, observing experiences, and even observatories that they've built!

More information on TAAA meetings.

Apollo astronaut Frank Borman will be a keynote speaker at the University of Arizona's 2008 Spring Commencement, just 10 days before the Tucson-based Phoenix lander touches down on Mars!

NASA's Phoenix lander touches down on Mars in the north polar region of the Red Planet. This mission is based at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. UA planetary scientist Peter Smith is the Principal Investigator. A visitor center at the Phoenix facility at 6th Avenue and Drachmann in Tucson is planned.

More information: Phoenix home page

Want a Phoenix mission shirt? Order on line.

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory researcher Dr. Randy Jokipii will speak about the "Solar Heliopause and Voyager" at the June TAAA meeting. The two Voyager spacecraft, which were launched in the 1970's, are now over 90 AUs from the Sun (ninety times the distance from the Earth to the Sun). Have they reached the limit of the Sun's influence on space, the heliopause? These amazing spacecraft are still working and teaching us about the far reaches of the Solar System.

More information on TAAA meetings.

Bring your telescope and join in! If you don't have one, come and look through the many that will be there. TAAA members and amateur astronomers from all over the country will be set up on the South Rim so that visitors to our marvelous canyon can also see the wonders of the heavens. Check out the Grand Canyon Star Party home page for more information. The Grand Canyon Star Party is free and open to the public! Early reservations for lodging and RSVPs to Dean for the star party are highly recommended.

The Grand Canyon Star Party is organized by Dean Ketelson and sponsored by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.

The 25th Annual Okie-Tex Star Party will be held at Camp Billy Joe in the far northwest corner of the Oklahoma Panhandle. This nationally recognized star party caters to dark sky observers. Dark skies, great food, vendors and guest speakers make this an event a great one for amateur astronomers. Several hundred amateur astronomers attend this large regional star party yearly from Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona as well as other states. Sponsored by the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club.

For information contact Larry Beatty by phone at (405) 691-2544 or by e-mail at starpartyinfo@okie-tex.com

Okie-Tex Star Party home page