2008 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 2008 were: Rick Hunter (head judge), Junie Esslinger, Alan French*, David McGaw, and Don Schwarzkopf.

The mechanical judges for 2008 were: Chris Houghton (head judge), Brian Lula, George East*, Mario Motta, Wayne Hilliard, Jeff Lowe, Dave Kelly, Mathew Marulla*,  and Dave Kelly.

* Judges who are not members of the Springfield Telescope Makers

The judging administrative team for 2008: Iliana Filby, Joyce Sinnot and Jay Speigal.

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: Dave Tabor & Ken Slater

				Name: Allen Hall  &  Richard Parker From: Ellington, CT  &  Tolland, CT Instruments: Two 16" f/16.5 Classical Cassegrains on GEMs Entered: [01] Optical & Mechanical Award: 1st Place Compound Optical Award: 1st Place Mechanical Design Award: 1st Place Craftsmanship Award: Innovative Component:              Novel 9" Thrust Bearing

				Name: Robert P. Horton From: Foster, RI Instrument: 6" f/6 Newt-Dob Entered: [02] Optical & Mechanical Photos by Dan Lorraine & Lloyd Merrill

				Name: Adam Miller From: East Hartford, CT Instrument: 8" f/6 Newt-Dob Entered: [03] Optical & Mechanical Award: Junior Award

				Name: Jay M. Scheuerle From: Philadelphia, PA Instrument: 6" f/5 Newt Entered: [04] Mechanical Apparently did not attend judging

				Name: Jay M. Scheuerle From: Philadelphia, PA Instrument: ? Entered: [05] Mechanical Apparently did not attend judging

				Name: John Novak From: Chiefland, FL Instrument: 32" f/3.8 Newt-Dob Entered: [06] Mechanical Award: 3rd Place Mechanical Design Award: 3rd Place Craftsmanship

				Name: Jeff A. Parenteau From: Gilsum, NH Instrument: 8" f/7 Newt-Dob Entered: [07] Optical & Mechanical Award: 1st Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian Some photos by Entrant

				Name: Doug K. Luoma From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Instrument: Binocular Chair Entered: [08] Mechanical

				Name: John J. Symborski From: Pottstown, PA Instrument: 6" f/6.4 Newt-Dob Entered: [09]  Optical & Mechanical Award: 1st Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian

				Name: David M. Groski & Tom Harding From: Hockessin, DE & Wilmington, DE Instrument: 6" f/8 Newt-Springfield Entered: [10] Optical & Mechanical Award: 1st Place Antique Restoration Award: 2nd Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian

				Name: Ross D. Sackett From: Memphis, TN Instrument: 12.5" f/5 Newt-Dob Entered: [11] Mechanical Award: 2nd Place Mechanical Design Award: 2nd Place Craftsmanship

				Name: Joseph F. Dechene From: Nashua, NH Instrument: 6" f/5 Newt-Dob Entered: [12] Optical & Mechanical Award: 3rd Place Optical Small Newtonian

				Name: Andrew Warner From: Harvard, MA Instrument: Binocular Mount Entered: [13] Mechanical

				Name: Francis J. O'Reilly From: Brewster, NY Instrument: 8" f/6 Newt-Dob Entered: [14] Optical & Mechanical

				Name: Scott A. Sulham From: Wells River, VT Instrument: 8" f/6.89 Newt-Dob Entered: [15] Optical

				Name: Julie Tabor From: Randolph Center, VT Instrument: 4.25" f/7.8 Newt-Dob Entered: [16] Optical & Mechanical

				Name: Bernard B. Kosicki From: Acton, MA Instrument: 8" f/5.3 Newt-Dob Entered: [17] Optical & Mechanical

				Name: Andrew S. Johnson From: Newton, MA Instrument: 8" f/5.45 Newt-Dob Entered: [18] Optical Award: 2nd Place Optical (Tie) Small Newtonian Some photos by Entrant (with son Ben) and Jeff Parenteau

				Name: Roger Greenwood From: Milford, MA Instrument: Binocular Chair Entered: [19] Mechanical Award: Special Award

				Name: Michael Jean From: Orange, MA Instrument: 8" f/6 Newt Entered: [20] Mechanical

				Name: Chris Greeley From: Norwell MA Instrument: Compound Telescope Entered: [21] Mechanical

Name: David Sliski From: Lincoln, ME Instrument: 5" f/18 Alvin Clark Restoration Entered: [22] Mechanical Award: 2nd Place Antique Restoration

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

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