General Meeting
Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting
Next (ONLINE): Thursday, March 12, 2026
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Come join us for a presentation from the fundamentals of amateur astronomy. Learn your way around the night sky to add to your observing enjoyment. Meetings are on the second Thursday of each month.
You can find our past recordings on the Club’s YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXbeCAsGDdSZlqE0IAEUBmZxvmCUJi5Tr
Contact: Connor Justice
Email: fundamentals[at]tucsonastronomy.org
HYBRID – General Meeting – April 2026
April 3 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
TBD
Ed Foley, TAAA President
ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting –April 2026
ONLINE – Astronomy Fundamentals Meeting – March 2026
March 12 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Title: Highlighting the constellation Aquila and discussing the Event Horizon Telescope.
Presenter: Connor Justice
This month, Connor Justice will be presenting highlighting the constellation Aquila and discussing the Event Horizon Telescope.
Connor Justice
Planets of the Month: March 2026
By Erich Karkoschka
On March 7th, Venus and Saturn are visible in the west at dusk, separated by only 1 degree. Saturn is lost in twilight a day or two later while Venus is slowly climbing higher.
Uranus is only 4 degrees south of the Pleiades. After April it will take 84 years before it gets that close again.
Jupiter transits around 8 pm at 81 degrees altitude, perfect for evening observations with a telescope.
Mercury begins to be visible in the morning on March 20th, the spring equinox. It rises around 5 am and is best visible at 5:30 in the east.
Comet MAPS C/2026 A1 is the first comet discovered in 2026. It is a Kreuz group comet. This means it will get extremely close to the sun: 0.001 AU. Perihelion is April 4th, by which time it may have evaporated. It may become a spectacular comet in the evening sky in late March, or it may be barely findable with binoculars. It may be visible during daylight next to the sun around April Fools day. Around March 21, it will become brighter than magnitude 6, but setting at 8:20 pm and 6 minutes earlier each following day.
Marana – Camping Under the Stars
April 11 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Astronomy event supporting Marana – Camping Under the Stars. For more information, see their website: Camping Under the Stars – Town of Marana, AZ
Bernie Stinger
612-396-8839
astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org
Solar Telescope Observing @ Saguaro NP – East
April 5 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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 at its peak in the sunspot cycle so there is LOTS of activity on its surface.
This event is FREE and open to the public, no reservations required. NPS admission fees apply.
The telescopes will be set up at the Bicycle Ramada next to, or at, the Visitors Center.
This event will most likely be canceled in the event of clouds/rain.
Bernie Stinger
612-396-8839
astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org
Stargazing @ Picacho Peak State Park
April 24 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
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 advanced amateur 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/events
Bernie Stinger
612-396-8839
astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org
Stargazing at Agua Caliente Park
April 18 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
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: ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook)
FREE but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
These events fill up fast so recommend registering early.
To Register go to: Pima County Parks and Recreation Then Log in or Create an account. Once logged in click on “Environmental Education”. You should get the Pop-up screen “Register for a Program”. Scroll down to the event on the list and click on the “Register” button. You must be logged in for the Registration screen to work.
Bernie Stinger
612-396-8839
astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org
Stargazing at Catalina State Park
April 17 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Star Party at Catalina State Park – Tucson, AZ
Viewing Location: Trailhead Picnic area at end of road inside the park.
Great dark skies just north of Tucson at Catalina State Park.
Star Party open to the Public. Admission fee for entrance into Catalina State Park.
Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association will have approximately 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 ((4) Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association | Facebook).
Additional details will be posted here and on Facebook as we get closer to the event.
Bernie Stinger
612-396-8839
astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org
Stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park
April 10 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Join TAAA and the National Park Service for an evening of stargazing at Tumacacori National Historical Park . Address below.
The Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) will have several telescopes with volunteer astronomers, for astronomical viewing, in front of the Old Mission.
We will observe Planets, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters and lots more. Great opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes.
Event is free, no reservations required, but NPS admission fees apply.
Weather dependent, follow this event on the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association Facebook event page: TAAA Facebook Events page for weather updates on day of event.
Bernie Stinger
612-396-8839
astronomy-events@tucsonastronomy.org