2006 News (Scroll down for Events)

• 
  New Astrophotos Published
  [2006-Nov-25] The old-style Astro Images pages have been converted to the new style Astrophotos pages. and we have posted some new material which has been sitting in the webmasters mailbox for far too long. See new photos from the March Total Solar Eclipse taken by club members Kris Larsen, David McGaw and Bob Morse, and astrophotos from Tucson, AZ by Roberto Villasenor.
• Club Elects Board
  [2006-Nov-11] The Springfield Telescope Makers held their annual business meeting on Saturday, November 11 in their clubhouse on Breezy Hill. They voted to revise their bylaws to expand the Board of Directors to include the immediate past president and two members-at-large. They then elected the following board members: John Gallagher, President; Jeff Lowe, Vice President; Wayne Zuhl, Secretary; Melinda Callis, Treasurer; Dave Prowten and Ken Slater, members-at-large. Brad Vietje rounds out the new board as past president.
• New Videos: 2006 Convention Videos
  [2006-Oct-9] Thanks to secretary Wayne Zuhl, we now video online for some of the Technical Talks and most segments of the Saturday Evening Program. If you missed any of these events, or just want to refresh your memory, you can download the video for your enjoyment and education.
• New article: Restoration of the Hartness Turret Telescope
  
  
  The Hartness Equatorial Turret
  July 2004
  [2006-Oct-1] This new page in Early History section documents our club's efforts at restoring the Hartness Equatorial Turret Telescope, with special emphasis on the cleaning and discoveries of Brashear objective. Text and photos by Jim Daley.
• New article: Porter Sundial Page
  [2006-Oct-1] This new page in Early History section documents the Porter Sundial on the south wall of the Stellafane Clubhouse. Text and photos by Jay Drew.
• Moonlight Mania Open House at Stellafane on September 30
  [2006-Oct-1] The Springfield Telescope Makers held an open house at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 30th on Breezy Hill at the clubhouse and Porter Turret Telescope, with plans to view the Moon and other objects. Even though the clouds were uncooperative, the Moonlight Mania was a pleasant success with a fair number of guests making the trip out to visit and see our facilities. Good food, a warm fire, and the company of friends both old and new made for a most pleasant evening. (Thanks to Jeff Lowe for the report)
• 2006 Stellafane Convention is a Success
  [2006-Jul-30] The 2006 Stellafane Conventions was a success! The new Flanders Pavilion saw it's initial convention use and all agreed it is an excellent, roomy building for holding convention meetings and telescope making demonstrations. Although we had some afternoon rain showers, Friday evening featured a dark sky with great observing and the optical competition was completed that evening. See the 2006 Stellafane Convention page for reports, results and photos.
• Stellafane's Paul Valleli wins NERAL 2006 Walter Scott Houston Award
  
  
  Paul Valleli
  at Stellafane 2006
  [2006-Jul-29] In Recognition of:
  • his six years of Service to the League as Past NERAL Chair,
  • his Observational Work for Operation Moonwatch Cambridge in the 1950’s,
  • his Articles in Sky and Telescope and written works popularizing the design and use of focal reducers,
  • his legendary activities as Shop Chairman of the ATMoB creating training materials for optics fabrication
  • his invaluable work as a Mentor to many Amateur and Professional Opticians,
  • his Numerous Achievements as an Amateur Telescope Maker and as a Professional Optician,
  • his many years of service as both an Optical and Mechanical Judge at Stellafane and his Passing of the Torch of Knowledge to continue that time-honored tradition,
  • his many years preserving ATM & amateur astronomy history as Historian of the ATMoB,
  • his Volunteer Efforts to create a Light Pollution Video for young people for Public Access Television,
  • and his Restoration of the Dino Argentini 10-inch Ritchey-Chrétien for use as a handicapped-access scope
  we [NERAL (Northeast Region of the Astronomical League)] hereby present this Award to Paul Anthony Valleli
  Presented this day, July 29, 2006 at Stellafane In fond remembrance of Deep Sky Observer, Science Writer and ATM Historian, Walter Scott Houston.
• Redesigned Web Site Launched
  [2006-May-21] A newly redesigned web site, with easier navigation and a more modern look was launched. You are looking at right now. See About Our New Look for more details.
• Stellafane Participates in NEAF 2006
  [2006-May-21] Stellafane had a strong presence at the Northeast Astronomy Forum held May 6-7 in Suffren, New York. Several members of the club demonstrated mirror making and displayed home made telescopes. The clubs booth was well received and had good attendance.
• Grind your own Telescope Mirror in our Mirror Class
  [2006-Feb-12] The next Stellafane Mirror Class will start in October, and run once a monthly through March 2007 during the day on Saturdays. Since 1995 we have had full classes and many great mirrors made, in a casual and fun environment with expert instructors to guide you through this process. You must register to attend, and classes fill up quickly. Click for Mirror Class Registration Information.
• Please Help Finish the Flanders Pavilion
  [2006-Jan-1] The 6,000 square foot Flanders Pavilion building shell is up and weather tight! However, it still needs electric service, a floor, and audio/video equipment to be ready for the 2006 convention. The club is carrying a large mortgage on this new building. We know this new facility will make convention nicer for everyone this year; The fall rains in 2005 proved our new drainage system will prevent puddles in this area. So please consider helping us pay for this great new addition. Click for Donation Information.
• The 2006 Stellafane Convention is July 28th & 29th
  [2006-Jan-1] We will post the Convention Bulletin and Registration Information in May. In the meantime, save the dates, and plan for a great convention in 2006! Click for Convention Information.

Events Calendar (Scroll up for News)