The purpose of The Tonopah Astronomical Society is to promote interest in astronomy and related sciences in the Central Nevada area for the general public and the club membership. We do this through scheduling telescope viewing session, commonly referred to as "Star Parties," in the Tonopah area and throughout the Central Nevada area and in cooperation with groups having similar interests in the State of Nevada.
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Solar Events for the summer of 2012
Annular Eclipse of the Sun, May 20th, 2012
In an annular eclipse of the sun, unlike a total eclipse, the size of the moon in the sky is less than that of the sun so the moon does not completely cover the sun. The sun appears as a bright ring of light around the moon as in the picture above. The path of a total or an annular eclipse is very narrow and we are very lucky to have it pass right over Tonopah! Make sure you show up because this will not happen in Tonopah again in our lifetime. We will probably be gathering at Highland Park in Tonopah for viewing.
Transit of the planet Venus, June 5th, 2012
Join the members of the Tonopah Astronomical Society to view a transit of Venus across the face of the sun on June 5, 2012. These transits of Venus come in pairs and the last one was not visible from our location. If you miss this one it will be over a hundred years before the next pair. We will probably be gathering at Highland Park but plans could change!
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The Fifth Annual Central Nevada Star Party (CNSP V)
September 17th to September 20th, 2009 at Monte Cristo's Castle was a resounding success!
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In Memory of Lost Friends
Recently the Tonopah Astronomical Society suffered the loss of two of our charter members with the passing of Rich Logan and Kris Dean. You both were there during the formative months for the club and we will all remember your contributions. We miss both of you.
The summer of 2009 also saw the passing of another charter member, Dave Hamilton. Dave used to teach astronomy in Arizona and was the go to guy when we needed someone to give a lecture. No one in the club could match his knowledge of astronomy and things are not the same without him.
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Upcoming Events
Click on the Events tab for detailed info
January 16, 2010
Member Star Party behind the Fire Department Training site past the cemetery. Come by and get a chance to see the wonders of the winter under dark skies.
January 23rd, 2010
Our first public star party of the year will be January 23rd in the Scolari's parking lot. If the weather cooperates we will be view the glorious Orion Nebula, a beautiful first quarter moon and Mars, which is near opposition and big and bright.
February 13, 2010
Member Star Party behind the Fire Department Training Site
February 20, 2010
Public Star Party at site to be announced.
March 13, 2010
Member Star Party at site to be announced.
March 20th
Public Star Party at site to be announced.
April 7 to April 11, 2010
Once again we will be heading to Mesquite Springs Campground for a star party to catch the last views of Orion as it sets in the west soon after dark. Mars will be high in the sky and Saturn is once again visible in the evening sky. Galaxies are all over the place with Leo and Virgo well placed soon after dark. Visit Scotty's Castle and other interesting sites during the day.
April 17, 2010
Public star party in the Scolari's parking lot to view the moon, Mars and Saturn
May 15, 2010
Member Star Party at site to be announced.
May 22, 2010
Public Star Party at site to be announced.
Central Nevada Star Party VI! September 9 to September 12, 2010 at Monte Cristo's Castle!
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Pluto is no longer a Planet!
The 26th General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union has made their decision and Pluto is no longer a planet having been demoted to a "dwarf planet." Read the story here from the Sky and Telescope website.
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The moon and Venus hanging over Monte Cristo's Castle for Central Nevada Star Party III Photo by Jim Rigby |
A special thanks to the Astronomical Society of Nevada for hosting this site.