You are invited to affix us in Tucson for a fun-filled day and night time of observing and talks by astronomy authors.
The spectacular central Milky Way, centered on Sagittarius, as imaged from the desert southwest. Credit score: Tony Hallas
For a few years now, our journal has held a beautiful public star occasion occasion in what might be termed the capital of astronomy in america, Tucson, Arizona. The general public is welcome at this all-day occasion, which options nighttime observing but additionally daytime solar observing and a number of other talks by famous astronomy fanatics. Our fantastic companions on this collaboration are the school and employees of Pima Neighborhood Faculty, in addition to the nice members of one of many largest astronomy golf equipment in america, the Tucson Beginner Astronomy Affiliation (TAAA).
The 2024 Astronomy Tucson Star Occasion is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3. It’s going to happen on the East Campus of Pima Neighborhood Faculty at 8181 East Irvington Highway in Tucson. The occasion cranks up at 1:30 p.m., with talks by enthusiastic astronomy authors. And solar observing will begin at 2 p.m. The talks will begin with Astronomy Contributing Editor Michael Bakich talking on the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses, at 1:30 PM, adopted by astronomy creator Alan Goldstein talking on the “Grand Canyon of Astronomy” at 2:30 PM. I’ll converse on Astronomy and the Civil Conflict at 3:30 p.m. The ultimate discuss will probably be by astronomy creator and comet discoverer David Levy, who will converse on “Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, 30 Years Later,” at 4:30 p.m.
Different actions will even be happening all through the occasion. The campus encompasses a planet stroll and a tour of the solar system in miniature will probably be provided. An indication of satellite radio observing will even happen. Photo voltaic observing will probably be taking place all through the day, and nighttime observing will begin round 6:30 p.m. and final till 9 p.m., with the school’s observatory and its telescopes, and in addition with a wholesome turnout of a number of scopes introduced by TAAA members. Plentiful wonders of the Winter Milky Way will make for nice targets, together with the dazzling planet Jupiter.
Admission is free and the occasion has grown to be a beautiful success, with a number of hundred individuals sometimes exhibiting up all through the day. Our thanks, as at all times, are expressed to Pima Neighborhood Faculty and to the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. Among the fantastic of us who’re making this occur are Jade Borne, Dennis Simply, Jim Knoll, David O’Brien, Bernie Stinger, Ross Waldrip, Quinn Washburn, and John Zum Brunnen.
See you in Tucson on Feb. 3!
David J. Eicher is Editor of Astronomy, creator of 26 books on science and historical past, and a board member of the Starmus Pageant and of Lowell Observatory.
