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2007 Stellafane Convention Telescope Competition
All of the Telescopes Entered in the Competition
Winners of the Optical & Mechanical Competition

Convention attendees can enter their home-made telescopes in the Optical and/or Mechanical competition. Awards are given for best Optical Performance [Small Newtonian 12.5" and under; Large Newtonian over 12.5"; Compound Optical System] and for several Mechanical Categories [mechanical design, workmanship, innovative component, junior (under 16), special (for items that are not complete telescopes)]. The optical competition was completed on Friday night; the Mechanical Judging was done on Saturday.

The optical judges for 2007 were: Rick Hunter (head judge), Junie Esslinger, Alan French*, David McGaw, Phil Rounseville and Brad Vietje. Judges in training: Don Schwarzkopf* and Glenn Becker.

The mechanical judges for 2007 were: Chris Houghton (head judge), George East*, Wayne Hilliard, Jeff Lowe, Dave Kelly, Mathew Marulla*, Mario Motta and Ken Slater.

* Judges who are not members of the Springfield Telescope Makers

Below you will see up to four pictures of each telescope entered in the competition (fewer if we have less than four available, in some cases I received no photos of some entered telescopes, especially true of some optical only entries that were not available in daylight for photography) and basic information about the telescope and maker, including any awards won. Listed in order of entry.

Photos by the Springfield Telescope Makers: Jay Drew, Dave Tabor & Ken Slater
Additional photos by Mathew Fuchs, Richard M. Koolish and Jim Podpolucha.


Entry 01 Entry 01 Entry 01 Entry 01
  • Name: Richard Versace
  • From: Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Instrument: 13.1" f/4.5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [01] Mechanical

Entry 02 Entry 02 Entry 02 Entry 04
  • Name: Michael D. Abrams
  • From: Seville, OH
  • Instrument: 12" f/5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [02] Mechanical
  • Award: 4th Place (Tie) Mechanical
  • Award: Innovative Components: Friction Clutch, Mirror Cell Adjustor & Cable Sling, Adjustable Wire Spider

      Image Not Available
  • Name: Evan & Gil Ayala
  • From: Brooklyn, NY
  • Instrument: 8" f/8.06 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [03] Optical & Mechanical

Entry 04 Entry 04 Entry 04 Entry 04
  • Name: Joseph F. Dechene
  • From: Nashua, NH
  • Instrument: 6" f/6 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [04] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place Optical Small Newtonian

Entry 05 Entry 05 Entry 05 Entry 05
  • Name: Brian E. Roth
  • From: Barker, NY
  • Instrument: 6" f/5 Newt
  • Entered: [05] Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place Craftsmanship

  Entry 06 Entry 06 Entry 06
  • Name: Michael Wolfson
  • From: Ottawa, Ontario
  • Instrument: 16" f/4.5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [06] Mechanical

      Entry 07
  • Name: Scott A. Sulham
  • From: Wells River, VT
  • Instrument: 8" f/6.89 Newt-GEM
  • Entered: [07] Optical

Entry 08 Entry 08 Entry 08 Entry 08
  • Name: Jay M. Scheuerle
  • From: Philadelphia, PA
  • Instrument: 6" f/5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [08] Mechanical
  • Award: 4th Place (Tie) Mechanical

Entry 09 Entry 09 Entry 09 Entry 09
  • Name: William Cheng
  • From: Mount Jackson, VA
  • Instrument: 4.5" f/16 Schupmann-Poncet
  • Entered: [09] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place (Tie) Optical Compound

Entry 10 Entry 10 Entry 10 Entry 10
  • Name: Ross D. Sackett
  • From: Memphis, TN
  • Instrument: 18" f/4 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [10] Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Craftsmanship
  • Some photos by Entrant

  Entry 11 Entry 11 Entry 11
  • Name: David M. Groski
  • From: Hockessin, DE
  • Instrument: 4.5" f/16.1 Schupmann-AltAz
  • Entered: [11] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Optical Compound

      Entry 12
  • Name: David M. Groski
  • From: Hockessin, DE
  • Instrument: 6" f/4 Newt-GEM
  • Entered: [12] Optical
  • Award: 3rd Place Optical Small Newtonian

Entry 13 Entry 13 Entry 13 Entry 13
  • Name: William Cheng
  • From: Mount Jackson, VA
  • Instrument: 10" f/5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [13] Optical
  • Award: 1st Place Optical Small Newtonian

Entry 14 Entry 14 Entry 14 Entry 14
  • Name: Douglas N. Arion
  • From: Pleasant Prarie, WI
  • Instrument: 6" f/4.5 Newt-Ball
  • Entered: [14] Optical & Mechanical

Entry 15 Entry 15 Entry 15 Entry 15
  • Name: Tim Hogle
  • From: Duarte, CA
  • Instrument: 6" f/4 Newt-GEM
  • Entered: [15] Optical & Mechanical

Entry 16 Entry 16 Entry 16 Entry 16
  • Name: Avner Butnaru
  • From: Needham, MA
  • Instrument: 15" f/4.2 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [16] Mechanical
  • Award: 4th Place Craftsmanship
  • Some photos by Entrant

Entry 17 Entry 17 Entry 17 Entry 17
  • Name: Samantha Ann Tabor
  • From: Randolph, VT
  • Instrument: 4.25" f/3.88 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [17] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Junior Mechanical
  • Award: 1st Place Junior Optical

Entry 18 Entry 18 Entry 18 Entry 18
  • Name: Adirondack Public Observatory /
    Mark Staves
  • From: Tupper Lake, NY
  • Instrument: 12.3" f/10 Newt-GEM
  • Entered: [18] Mechanical
  • Award: Excellence in Antique Restoration

  Entry 19 Entry 19 Entry 19
  • Name: Gary L. Fuchs
  • From: Easton, PA
  • Instrument: 4.25" f/27 Schiefspiegler
  • Entered: [19] Optical & Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place (Tie) Optical Compound

Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20 Entry 20
  • Name: Michael J. Jean
  • From: Orange, MA
  • Instrument: Binocular Mount
  • Entered: [20] Mechanical

Entry 21 Entry 21 Entry 21 Entry 21
  • Name: Terry J. Hubbert
  • From: Oxford, OH
  • Instrument: 14.5" f/4.3 Newt-Ball
  • Entered: [21] Mechanical
  • Award: 2nd Place Mechanical
  • Award: 3rd Place Craftsmanship

  Entry 22 Entry 22 Entry 22
  • Name: George Krantz
  • From: Killington, VT
  • Instrument: 8" f/5.9 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [22] Optical & Mechanical

Entry 23 Entry 23 Entry 23 Entry 23
  • Name: Allen Hall & Richard Parker
  • From: Ellington, CT
  • Instrument: Reproduction Alvin Clark Fly Ball Governor
  • Entered: [23] Mechanical
  • Award: Special Award

Entry 24 Entry 24 Entry 24 Entry 24
  • Name: Heather Weyers
  • From: Santa Cruz, CA
  • Instrument: Solar Filter & Folding Dob Base
  • Entered: [24] Mechanical
  • Awards: Innovative Component: Collapsible "Z" Base

Entry 25 Entry 25 Entry 25 Entry 25
  • Name: Jack Heinzman
  • From: Rockport, MA
  • Instrument: Modified Meade for Springfield Mount
  • Entered: [25] Mechanical
  • Award: Special Award for Modification
  • Award: Innovative Component: Remote Diagonal Adjustment

Entry 26 Entry 26 Entry 26 Entry 26
  • Name: Real Manseau
  • From: Drummondville, Quebec
  • Instrument: 2.36" f/4.5 Replica of 1671 Newtonians on ball mount
  • Entered: [26] Mechanical

Entry 27 Entry 27 Entry 27 Entry 27
  • Name: Peter A Serrada
  • From: Rome, ME
  • Instrument: 4" f/4.5
  • Entered: [27] Mechanical

Entry 28 Entry 28 Entry 28 Entry 28
  • Name: Allan Rahill
  • From: Laval, Quebec
  • Instrument: 28" f/4.1 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [28] Mechanical
  • Awards: 3rd Place Mechanical

    Entry 29 Entry 29
  • Name: Bill Bogardus
  • From: Greenport, NY
  • Instrument: 12.5" f/5 Newt-Dob
  • Entered: [29] Mechanical

Newt = Newtonian Reflector; Dob = Dobsonian Mount;
GEM = German Equatorial Mount; Ball = Ball or Hemispherical Mount

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Page last revised on Thursday, 2017-Sep-07 10:10:01 -0400