The SJAA telephone hotline is available 24 hours/day at (408) 559-1221.
This page contains the current hotline message. For status of Houge Park
observing sessions, please see
SJAA's home page.
Jun 14 - Friday - Public observing session on the grounds at Houge
Park, featuring the crescent moon, splendid Saturn, the Ring Nebula,
colorful double star Albireo, and a curious star cluster called
the Coathanger. Star party hours: 9:30 until midnight.
Jun 21 - Friday. Imaging SIG in the hall at Houge Park.
Meeting hours: 7:30 until 9:00 pm.
Jun 22 - Saturday - General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. Dana Backman,
SOFIA; his topic: NASA's stratospheric Observatory for Infrared
Astronomy: Science from 41,000 Feet.
General Meeting at 7:30, speaker at 8:00.
Jun 28 - Friday - Board of Directors meeting at 7:00 pm, in the hall
at Houge Park.
Also on June 28, Friday --
Jun 28 - Friday - Beginner's astronomy class at Houge Park. 8:45 pm.
Topic: Tonight's constellations and highlights (indoors & outdoors).
Also also on June 28, Friday --
Jun 28 - Friday - Public observing session on the grounds at Houge
Park, featuring the splendid planet Saturn, the Ring Nebula,
the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules, and the "Flight of Ducks"
cluster. The moon is absent. Star party hours: 9:45 until midnight.
Jun 29 - Saturday- "Starry Nights", a public star party at Rancho Canada Del Oro.
July 6 - Saturday - Dark-sky weekend. Tonight's sunset comes at
8:31 pm. The moon is not visible tonight.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
July 7 - Sunday - Observing H-alpha flares and sunspots at Houge Park.
Also: our Telescope Tune-up Time.
Sun party and tune-up hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
July 12 - Friday - Public observing session on the grounds at Houge
Park, featuring the crescent moons setting early, Saturn, the rich
globular in Sagittarius, the Teapot asterism, and the Milky Way.
Star party hours: 9:30 until midnight.
July 20 - Saturday - General Meeting. It's movie night!
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, movie at 8:00.
Title to be voted on.
Aug 2 - Friday - Beginner's astronomy class at Houge Park. 8:15 pm.
Topic: Tonight's constellations and highlights (indoors & outdoors).
Also on August 2, Friday --
Aug 2 - Friday - Public observing session on the grounds at Houge
Park, featuring the splendid planet Saturn, star clusters such as
the "Flight of Ducks", pretty double star Albireo, the Ring Nebula.
The moon is absent. Star party hours: 9:15 until midnight.
* 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.
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 an 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 plans 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.
