SJAA Calendar Hotline

WELCOME! to the San Jose Astronomical Association's Calendar Hot Line.

This is a list of all of the public activities of SJAA. You are invited to any and all of them! No reservations needed. We supply telescopes, or, bring your own.
Driving directions are linked here.

The SJAA telephone hotline is available 24 hours/day at (408) 559-1221. This page contains the current hotline message.

See also the complete 2010 calendar.

For status of Houge Park observing sessions, please see http://www.sjaa.net.

Mar.13 - Dark-Sky weekend at Henry Coe park. This is the annual Messier Marathon, an attempt to see "M" all in a single night. Sunset is at 6:13 pm. The 3% moon rises at 6:31 am, PDT. Watch carefully for it at about 6:00 am, due east. It'll be pretty!

Mar.14 - Sunday, 2 am -- advance clocks 1 hour, to DST.

Mar.19 - Friday - Our beginner's astronomy class meets. In the hall at Houge Park, 7:30 pm.

Also on March 19 - Friday -

Mar.19 - Friday - Public observing session on the grounds at Houge Park, featuring the crescent moon, Mars, and the show objects of the late winter sky. Star party hours: 8:15 until 11:15 pm.

Mar.20 - Saturday - Spring begins at 10:30 am PDT.

Mar.27 - Saturday- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. Constance Rockosi of UC Lick, speaking on The Structure of the Milky Way. In the hall at Houge Park, 8:00 pm.

Apr. 9 - Friday - Our beginner's astronomy class meets. In the hall at Houge Park, 7:30 pm.

Also on April 9 - Friday -

Apr. 9 - Friday - Public observing session on the grounds at Houge Park, featuring Mars, Saturn, and the show objects of the early spring sky. Star party hours: 8:30 until 11:30 pm.

Apr.10 - Saturday - Dark-sky weekend. Get away from the city lights, to enjoy the night sky. Sunset is at 7:38 pm, and a small 10% moon rises at 4:59 am. That'll be pretty!

Directions to all SJAA sites.

NOTES:

 * The Fremont Peak Observatory is the contact point for SJAA activities at Fremont Peak State Park. Check in there to find out who and where to meet.

 * The Coe star parties are lightly attended, so there may be nobody there, even when the weather is favorable.

 * What are Dark-Sky weekends?

These are weekends when the moon's rise/set time provides a dark sky for the best observing of faint objects. Take this opportunity to get away from the city lights and enjoy the night sky. SJAA is noting these dates for your convenience. SJAA does not generally schedule events on these weekends. SJAA will explicitly list any event in the calendar.

The Astronomy Connection (TAC) is an email group that local astronomers use to coordinate their observing. Their Observing Intentions Calendar will give you and idea where other astronomers are going. Check the page and the mail list shortly before leaving home. Keep in mind that subscribers can change their minds without notice.

Plans and sites are discussed on TAC's mailing list. Anyone may subscribe, but it's rather busy, so it may be best to read it on their web site. Go to http://observers.org and click on "Mailing List Activity", near the top.

All this does not mean that you must go where TAC members decide. Check the SJAA Directions page or the TAC Sites page for some suggestions on other locations. Please note any requirements to access the site.

Last updated: 2010 March 9, 0129 hours, pst