SaddleBrooke SkyGazers

Rita Fletcher

October 8, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Dr. Tom Fleming, U of A, will present Making Relativity Simple in HOA One activity center.

Dr. Fleming received his A.B. in Physics from Cornell University and his Ph.D. in Astronomy from the U of A. He has worked with NASA in the field of x-ray astronomy. He serves as host of the Steward Observatory Public Evening Lecture Series. He has received the U of A’s Provost General Education Teaching Award for his innovative techniques in teaching science and astronomy to students not majoring in science. He received an Excellence in Academic Advising Award from the U of A as the Outstanding Faculty Advisor. He has written The Cosmic Perspective, edited the textbook Stars, and appeared in the TV series Naked Science episode “The Birth of the Earth” on the National Geographic Channel and the BBS documentary “Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk.”

October 20, 3:45-8:45 p.m., trip to the U of A Science SkyCenter Observatory on Mt. Lemmon; members $60; 24 person limit.

October 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Star Party at the softball field parking lot near the back gate.

See the planet Saturn, the asterism the Great Square of Pegasus, an open cluster, the Double Cluster in Perseus and the Andromeda Galaxy.

November 10 at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Lockwood Carlson at the MountainView Clubhouse West Ballroom; Topic: “Gravitational Waves”

November 12 at 7:00 p.m. William Hartman, Planetary Science Institute, HOA One Activity Center; Topic: “Latest News about Lunar Origin and Martian Climate Changes”

William Hartman’s work has been divided among three areas: scientific research at PSI, paintings and writing. He is currently on the imaging team of NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor mission. His paintings include astronomical scenes (used for magazine and book covers) and his writing includes popular science books and two recent novels.

November 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Star Party at the softball field parking lot near the back gate. See Moon, possibly Saturn, Northern Cross, Ring Nebula in Lyra, Andromeda Galaxy and the double star Albiereo.

The SkyGazers Astronomy Club invites all residents of SaddleBrooke and the Ranch to these free events!

To learn more about the benefits (discounted trips and socials) support and join the club, call Sam Miller at 520-468-2525 or email [email protected] or write a $10 check to SkyGazers and mail to Sam Miller at 62930 E. Silkwood Way, Tucson, AZ 85739.

The Eclipse of the Sun was a wondrous experience! SaddleBrooke resident Don Holder shares his. “Upon reaching our destination of Glendo, WY, we saw it was so mobbed that we decided to move to the next exit. We found a nice rest area already filled with eclipse fans camping out. People poured into the area as morning broke. Besides eclipse glasses we had a small 50mm spotting scope and 10×30 binos, which worked well when we removed the filters during our two minutes and 26 seconds of totality. The feelings beneath the eclipsed sun are difficult to express, but it seemed everyone was genuinely moved with emotion. We left after totality though it took us six hours to get through traffic back to CO. It was well worth the effort.”