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- Solar Program: Sun-spotting 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.
24 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 7:24 pm, 6% moon sets 9:44 pm.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
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- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
7 -Sa- Possible Board meeting. Hall has been reserved.
8 -Su- Auction XXXII Noon to late afternoon
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- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park for Astronmy Day.
Sun party hours: TBA.
27 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 7:54 pm, 38% moon sets 1:22 am.
This is also SJAA's observation of Astronomy Day.
Star party hours: 9:00 until midnight.
May
6 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
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 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
11 -Fr- Astronomy Class at Houge Park. 8:15 pm. The topic:
Star Parties - where are they, how to prepare for and enjoy them.
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- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at the South Bay Birdfest, 10:30 am.
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.
21 -Mo- Transit of Venus -- the planet can be seen crossing the face
of the sun. Do NOT try this on your own; you will risk your
eyesight!
The SJAA Solar Program will be at Houge Park. Hours TBA.
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 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
3 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
5 -Tu- Partial Eclipse of the Sun, visible in San Jose. The moon can
can be seen covering part of the sun. Do NOT try this on
your own; you will risk your eyesight!
The SJAA Solar Program will be at Houge Park. Hours TBA.
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- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:32 pm, 82% moon sets 2:48 am.
Star party hours: 9:45 until midnight.
July
1 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
7 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. To B. Announced.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 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- Houge Park star party. Sset 8:19 pm, 70% moon sets 1:34 am.
Star party hours: 9:15 until midnight.
August
4 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. To B. Announced.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
5 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party 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 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
2 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party 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 Dr. To B. Announced.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 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- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
13 -Sa- Dark-Sky weekend. Sset 6:33 pm, no moon.
Henry Coe Park's "Astronomy" lot has been reserved.
19 -Fr- Houge Park star party. Sset 6:25 pm, 28% moon sets 10:14 pm.
Star party hours: 7:15 until 10:15 pm.
27 -Sa- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. To B. Announced.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
November
4 -Su- DST end -- at 2 am, retard clocks to 1 am.
4 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party 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- 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- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. To B. Announced.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
December
2 -Su- Solar Program: Sun-spotting at Houge Park.
Sun party hours: 2:00 until 4:00 pm.
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- General Meeting. Our speaker is Dr. To B. Announced.
Board meeting at 6:30; General Meeting at 8:00
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.
Print this with a M*O*N*O*S*P*A*C*E*D font for column alignment.
General Houge Park Astro Dark-sky
2012 Meeting Star Party Class Star Party
January 7 13, 27 13 14s 21c
February 4 17 17 18 25c,m
March 10 2, 16, 30 2 17 24c,m
April (7),8$ 13, 27= 13 14 21c
May 5 11, 25 11 12s 19c
June 2 15, 29 15 16 23c,m
July 7 13, 27 13 14 21c
August 4 10, 24 10 11s 18c
September 1 7, 21 7 8s 15c
September 29 Jump to month-ends
October 27 5, 19 5 x 13c
November 24, 25* 9, 23 9 10 17c
December 29 7, 21 7 8 15c,m
= AANC Astronomy Day is April 28. Use Houge Public on April 27.
$ Auction: Sunday, April 8, replaces a general meeting.
Possible Board meeting on 7th, or rehearsal for the Auction.
* Fall Swap, Nov.25, Sunday. Also: general meeting 24th.
The Swap could be on Nov.18 to avoid 3-in-a-row.
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.
OTHER dates and events --
Messier Marathon - March 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.16, Monday
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 --- Date TBA in March. For details and procedures, see
http://www.sjaa.net/yosemite.shtml.
CAL-STAR --- Mmmmmmmmm nnn- nn, new moon on nnth. 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 February 15, 1325
hours, pst
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