SJAA Calendar 2012
NOTES:
Dates are subject to change, though very few of of them will actually
do so. Speakers and topics will be added as they are scheduled.
For a definition of "Dark-Sky Weekend", please see the
definition on the Calendar Hotline page.
For the coming few weeks in more detail, see the SJAA
Calendar Hotline page.
For a tabular view of the year, and links to some non-SJAA events, see
the bottom of this page.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
7 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. Alex Filippenko of
UC Berkeley. His topic: "Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe".
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
13 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:00 pm.
Topic: Winter Constellations / Highlight Objects. (outdoors)
13 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 5:12 pm, 74% moon rises 10:22 pm.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
14 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 5:13 pm, 62% moon rises 11:30 am.
21 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 5:20 pm, no moon.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
27 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 5:26 pm, 23% moon sets 10:14 pm.
February
4 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. Lynn Rothschild, on
Life at the Edge: Life in Extreme Environments on Earth and
the Search for Life in the Universe.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
17 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:00 pm.
The topic: Types of telescopes, designs, utility, practicality.
17 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 5:49 pm, 15% moon rises 4:34 am.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
18 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 5:50 pm, 8% moon rises 5:15 am.
25 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 5:57 pm, 17% moon sets 9:57 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
March
2 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:00 pm.
The topic: The Moon. (indoors and outdoors)
2 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 6:02 pm, 61% moon sets 2:25 am.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
4 -Su- Observing H-alpha flares and sunspots at Houge Park
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
10 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. Graeme Smith of Lick
Observatory; his topic "Two Views Of The Moon".
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
11 -Su DST start -- At 2 am, advance clocks to 3 am.
16 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:16 pm, 28% moon rises 4:14 am.
Star party hours: 8:15 until 11:15 pm.
17 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:17 pm, 18% moon rises 4:51 am.
23 -Fr- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:23 pm, 2% moon sets 8:47 pm.
24 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:24 pm, 6% moon sets 9:44 pm.
Annual Messier Marathon this weekend.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved for
both Friday and Saturday evenings.
30 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:29 pm, 54% moon sets 2:46 am.
Star party hours: 8:30 until 11:30 pm.
April
1 -Su- 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.
7 -Sa- Board meeting in the hall at Houge Park, 6:00 pm
8 -Su- See May 6 for the annual auction
13 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 8:30 pm.
The topic: Spring Constellations / Highlight Objects. (outdoors)
13 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:42 pm, 42% moon rises 2:52 am.
Star party hours: 8:45 until 11:45 pm.
14 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:42 pm, 30% moon rises 3:26 am.
21 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:49 pm, no moon.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
27 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:54 pm, 38% moon sets 1:22 am.
Star party hours: 9:00 until midnight.
This is part of SJAA's observation of Astronomy Day.
28 -Sa- Observing H-alpha flares and sunspots.
On the grounds the San Jose Public Library, on the King
Library Science Lawn (the University entrance to the Library).
Sun party hours: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This is the other part of SJAA's Astronomy Day.
May
5 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Marita Beard, a San Jose
high-school teacher, who is a participant in NASA/SOFIA
"Partners in Science Education" program.
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
6 -Su- Auction XXXII Noon to late afternoon
6 -Su- Observing H-alpha flares and sunspots at Houge Park
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
11 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 8:15 pm. The topic:
Star Parties - where are they, how to prepare for and enjoy them.
This will be followed by another class outdoors:
Spring Constellations & Highlight Objects.
11 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:07 pm, 58% moon rises 1:27 am.
Star party hours: 9:15 until midnight.
12 -Su- Sun-spotting at the South Bay Birdfest, noon to 3:00 pm.
See Edwards S.F. Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
12 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:07 pm, 47% moon rises 1:59 am.
19 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:13 pm, no moon.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
20 -Su- Partial Eclipse of the Sun, visible in San Jose. The moon can
can be seen covering part of the sun.
SJAA will set up sun telescopes from 5:00 to 7:40 pm. at Houge Park.
Do NOT try this by yourself; you will risk your eyesight!
See the NASA eclipse site for more information.
25 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:18 pm, 23% moon sets 11:59 pm.
Star party hours: 9:30 until midnight.
June
2 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. Peter Nugent, speaking
on supernova 2011fe.
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
3 -Su- 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.
5 -Tu- Transit of Venus -- the planet can be seen crossing the face
of the sun. Do NOT try this yourself; you will risk your eyesight!
Sun&Venus Party at Houge Park, 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
15 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 8:45 pm.
Topic: Eyepieces, filters, finders and accessories. (outdoors)
15 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:30 pm, 10% moon rises 3:38 am.
Star party hours: 9:45 until midnight.
16 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:30 pm, 5% moon rises 4:20 am.
23 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:32 pm, 20% moon sets 11:09 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
29 -Fr- NEW! SJAA's Imaging SIG (Special Interest Group) meets.
In the hall at Houge Park, 7:30 to 9:00 pm.
29 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:32 pm, 82% moon sets 2:48 am.
Star party hours: 9:45 until midnight.
July
1 -Su- 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.
7 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Bob Jardine, speaking on
Astronomical League observing programs.
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
13 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 9:15 pm.
Topic: Summer Constellations / Highlight Objects. (outdoors)
13 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:29 pm, 22% moon rises 2:17 am.
Star party hours: 9:30 until midnight.
14 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:28 pm, 15% moon rises 3:01 am.
21 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:24 pm, 10% moon sets 9:44 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
27 -Fr- No event. The Houge Park star party has been cancelled
due to erratic irrigation that has watered the telescopes,
astronomers, and guests.
August
4 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Tim DeBenedictis,
Founder/Owner of Southern Stars software, maker of
the Sky Safari app and SkyFi WiFi controller. His topic:
"Astronomy on your Mobile Device: Going where no smartphone
has gone before".
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
5 -Su- 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.
10 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 8:00 pm.
The topic: Star charts and planetarium programs.
10 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:05 pm, 37% moon rises 12:56 am.
Star party hours: 9:00 until midnight.
11 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 8:04 pm, 28% moon rises 1:42 am.
18 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:55 pm, 3% moon sets 8:18 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
24 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:47 pm, 57% moon sets 12:25 am.
Star party hours: 8:45 until 11:45 pm.
September
1 -Sa- General Meeting. Slide and Equipment night
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
2 -Su- 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.
7 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:30 pm.
The topic: Deep sky observing - galaxies, nebulae, clusters, etc..
7 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:27 pm, 53% moon rises 11:36 pm.
Star party hours: 8:30 until 11:30 pm.
8 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:25 pm, 44% moon rises 12:25 am.
15 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:14 pm, no moon.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
21 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:05 pm, 43% moon sets 11:20 pm.
Star party hours: 8:00 until 11:00 pm.
29 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Steve Gottlieb, speaking on
Lord Rosse's Discovery of Spiral Nebulae.
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
October
5 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:30 pm.
The topic: Fall Constellations / Highlight Objects. (outdoors)
5 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 6:44 pm, 70% moon rises 10:18 pm.
Star party hours: 7:45 until 10:45 pm.
7 -Su- 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.
13 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sunset is at 6:33 pm. No moon.
A group star party called the Half-Marathon will be run
at Henry Coe Park. See the sign-up page for details.
19 -Fr- The public star party at Houge Park has been cancelled
due to work being done on the parking lot.
An alternate site is Rancho Canada del Oro, southeast of San Jose.
Directions are at the bottom of that page.
26 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:16, 93% moon. This is part of a
Bay Area Science Festival. Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
27 -Sa- General Meeting. Triple treat:
1) Potluck at 7:30;
2) SJAA member Michael Packer will speak on globular clusters;
3) Mina Wagner on SJAA plans for aquiring property for observing.
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speakers 8:00
November
4 -Su- DST end -- at 2 am, retard clocks to 1 am.
4 -Su- 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.
9 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:00 pm.
The topic: Amateur telescope making, why, how and where.
9 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 5:02 pm, 19% moon rises 2:58 am.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
10 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 5:01 pm, 10% moon rises 4:07 am.
17 -Sa- Imaging SIG at Houge Park, 7:30 -9:00 pm
17 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 4:56 pm, 24% moon sets 9:12 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
23 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 4:53 pm, 83% moon sets 3:22 am.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
24 -Sa- No general meeting; moved to Dec.1
25 -Su- No swap meet; moved to Dec.2
December
1 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Peter Platzer; his topic:
"Making Space Exploration Affordable for everyone".
Board meeting at 6:00; General Meeting 7:30, speaker 8:00
2 -Su- Astronomical Swap Meet, noon to late afternoon, in the
hall at Houge Park.
Also:
2 -Su- Observing H-alpha flares and sunspots at Houge Park
Sun party hours: 11:00 am until 12:00 noon.
Telescope Tune-up Time: cancelled. Please come on Jan. 6.
7 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 7:00 pm.
The topic: The Sun, planets and minor solar system objects.
7 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 4:50 pm, 34% moon rises 1:46 am.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
8 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 4:50 pm, 24% moon rises 2:53 am.
15 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 4:52 pm, 11% moon sets 7:59 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
21 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 4:54 pm, 69% moon sets 2:12 am.
Star party hours: 7:00 until 10:00 pm.
29 -Sa- No general meeting, moved to Dec.1
Calendar for 2013
Tabular format:
Calendar for 2012
Status: 080808 - Sent to Rob only.
Status: 080810 - Rob's reply, 3 of 4 accepted.
Status: 080811 - JVN and Rob in agreement
Preliminary discussion simplified to match
the final preliminary calendar (080811).
Status: 080816 - Board approved the Houge Park dates.
Status: 110719 - Expand to full format, insert classes,
deep-sky star parties, set start and end times.
Ever since ----- add speakers, move times for board and general
meetings, add solar program, tinker with format, etc.
Print this with a M*O*N*O*S*P*A*C*E*D font for column alignment.
General Houge Park Astro Sun Dark-sky
2012 Meeting Star Party Class Scope Star Party
January 7 13, 27 13 14s 21c
February 4 17 17 18 25c,m
March 10 2, 16, 30 2 4 17 24c,m
April (8)$ 13, 27= 13 1 14 21c
May 5,6$ 11, 25 11 6 12s 19c
June 2 15, 29 15 6 16 23c,m
July 7 13, 27 13 1 14 21c
August 4 10, 24 10 5 11s 18c
September 1 7, 21 7 3 8s 15c
September 29 General meetings jump to month-ends
October 27 5, 19 5 1 x 13c
November 25 9, 23 9 4 10 17c
December 1* 7, 21 7 2 8 15c,m
= AANC Astronomy Day is April 28. Use Houge Public on April 27.
$ Auction: Sunday, May 6; moved from April 8 due to conflict.
It usually replaces a general meeting, but not this year.
Possible Board meeting on 7th, or rehearsal for the Auction.
* Fall Swap, Dec. 2, Sunday.
Dark-Sky notations --
s Short -- at least 3 hours, but less than 5. (Zeiders' Rule)
m Moony (1Q). Moon sets not more than 2.5 hours after twilight
(3Q) Shorter than 5 hours. (Zeiders' Rule)
c SJAA will reserve the Coe parking lot as a service to the local
astronomy community. No SJAA event is planned unless one is
specifically listed in the calendar.
ASTRONOMY CLASS - Moonless Houge star party dates except the
March 2 for the moon class. The class starts 1 hour before
the matching star party, but not ealier than 7:00. Exception:
the Constellation talks (Apr, July, October) start 15 minutes
before the star party.
SOLAR OBSERVING - First Sunday of each month. The club's H-alpha
telescope will be joined by various sun-equipped scopes.
TELESCOPE TUNE-UP TIME - same time as the solar program. Anyone
with a telescope may bring it to get help with adjustments,
and to get help learning to use the scope.
OTHER dates and events --
Messier Marathon - March 23 & 24, no alternate. Per Don Machholz.
DST start -- Mar.11 at 2 am, advance to 3 am.
Easter ----- Apr. 8 (school vacations week before or after)
TAX day ---- Apr.17, Tuesday (Monday is a holiday in Washington DC.)
RTMC ------- May 23-28, 2012 (new moon May 20)
http://www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org/index.html.
Star-B-Q --? Mmmm nn at Fremont Peak State Park
GSSP ------- July 18 - 22, new moon on 18th. See
http://www.goldenstatestarparty.org.
Yosemite --- August 10-11, 2012. For details and procedures, see
http://www.sjaa.net/yosemite.shtml.
CAL-STAR --- Sepember 13 - 15, new moon on 15th. See
http://www.observers.org/CalStar/.
DST end -- Nov. 4 at 2 am, retard to 1 am.
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Mail to Jim Van Nuland.
Last updated:
2012 November 24, 2325
hours, pst
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