Stellafane 2017 Convention Photos

Miscellaneous photos by The Springfield Telescope Makers

Dave Kelly's award winning master-class Dobsonian. - Photo by Ken Slater Dave Kelly's Dob	Alan Ward and friend Richard Robert, both Canadians from Sudbury, Ontario. - Photo by Patrick Dodson. A Canadian Duo	Having a relaxing time. From Left to Right: Richard Robert, Steve Dodson, Alan Stern, Eiko, Alan Ward, Alan Rifkin. - Photo by Patrick Dodson Three Guys Named Al.	The Thursday Evening STM Meeting in progress. - Photo by Patrick Dodson STM Meeting in Progress	HDR Sunset after Thursday meeting. - Photo by Patrick Dodson HDR Sunset	Thursday Night Twilight on Breezy Hill. - Photo by Patrick Dodson Twilight on Breezy Hill
From Left to Right: David Nagler, Al Nagler, Joe Rao and Dennis Cassia. - Photo by Dennis Cassia Dennis Cassia, Joe Rao and Two Naglers.	Kim, Dennis, Joe and Renate Rao. - Photo by Dennis Cassia The Cassias and The Raos	Every Stellafaner has a beginning, a first time. Every year, Kim and Dennis Cassia introduce first-timers to some of the basics. If anyone should ever be disoriented during their first time at Stellafane, this little presentation should set you on the right track. - Photo by Dennis Cassia. Got questions? They've got answers!	Kim with Stella at the Fruit Stand. Photo by Dennis Cassia. Kim and Stella at the Gate	New benches for the McGregor were made this year. This is where they were born. - Photo by Dennis Cassia. Feeling a little crooked today?	With another convention down, Kim Cassia doing post-convention inventory work. - Photo by Dennis Cassia. Inventory work? Whassat?
Jim Beaty and Dave Tiller shucking corn for the Thursday Night dinner. - Photo by Dave Tiller. Awww Shucks!	Your Obligatory Trailer Park Boys reference. - Photo by Dave Tiller. Bubbles, is that you?!	Someone's got to test the signs! - Photo by Dave Tiller. Hey! No Leaning!	Photo by Ken Slater Return of the Chafee

Photos by Chris Stewart of Scope-X, South Africa

Chris Stewart - Photo by Chris Stewart. Chris Stewart	This is what the Pavillion typically looks like during Precon - Photo by Chris Stewart. Pre-Con Pavillion	Ten astronomers and one gate. There's a joke in there somewhere... - - Photo by Chris Stewart. Ten astronomers and one gate!	Dave Tabor, Da Boss - Photo by Chris Stewart. Da Boss!	Dinner before Meeting - Photo by Chris Stewart. Dinner before Meeting	Conventional Transportation - Photo by Chris Stewart. Conventional Transportation
Inside the Food Tent - Photo by Chris Stewart Inside the Food Tent	This is what the Pavillion looks like before the crowds - Photo by Chris Stewart. Before the Crowds	Pre-Con Amphitheatre - Photo by Chris Stewart Pre-Con Amphitheatre	Unveiling of Dave Kelly's Scope - Photo by Chris Stewart Unveiling of Dave Kelly's Scope	Dave Kelly's Dob - Photo by Chris Stewart. Dave Kelly's Dob	Judges surveying the field - Photo by Chris Stewart. Judges surveying the field
Porter Turret - Photo by Chris Stewart Porter Turret	Don't worry, we've got you covered! - Photo by Chris Stewart. Don't worry, we've got you covered!	Inside the Hartness Turret Telescope - Photo by Chris Stewart. Inside the Hartness Turret Telescope	Beautiful Sunset - Photo by Chris Stewart. Beautiful Sunset

Photos by Sal LaRiccia

Roger Sinnott - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Roger Sinnott	Mario Motta - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Mario Motta	Group Huddle - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Group Huddle!	Dennis Di Cicco - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Dennis Di Cicco	Hanging Out at the Pink - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Hanging Out at the Pink	Houston Hollow - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Houston Hollow
Mike and Tony Costanzo - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Mike and Tony Costanzo	Husband Carrying Contest - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Husband Carrying Contest	A Loving Couple - Photo by Sal LaRiccia A Loving Couple	Site Manager John Martin - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Site Manager John Martin	Al Nagler and Joe Rao - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Al Nagler and Joe Rao	Nagler Family: (L/R) David Nagler, Al Nagler, and Wife. - Photo by Sal LaRicca. Nagler Family
Denis Di Cicco and Al Nagler - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Denis Di Cicco and Al Nagler	Here's to the Staff! (L/R): John Martin, Tony Costanzo, Mike Costanzo, Dennis Cassia, and John Gallagher - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Here's to the Staff!	Breaking for a pose. (L/R): Kim Cassia, Gary Cislak, John Gallagher, and Dennis Cassia - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Breaking for a pose	Chris Stewart of South Africa - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Chris Stewart of South Africa	Geological Survey Marker - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Geological Survey Marker

Photos by Tim, Julia and Farley Roske

Photos by Doug Arion

Photos by Eilleen Myers

Al Takeda: Imaging the Great American Solar Eclipse - Photo by Eileen Myers. Al Takeda	Alan Ward: The Foucault Test - Optical Testing in the Computer Age - Photo by Eileen Myers. Alan Ward	Allan Stern and Eiko Okazaki - Photo by Eileen Myers. Allan Stern and Eiko Okazaki	Brad Vietje: First Steps in Amateur Exoplanet Observing - Photo by Eileen Myers. Brad Vietje	Chris Stewart: Telescope Making in South Africa - Photo by Eileen Myers. Chris Stewart and Francis O'Reily	Ed Jones: Development of the Chief Telescope and Jones-Medial Refractor - Photo by Eileen Myers. Ed Jones
Francis O'Reilly, Flanders Pavillion Master of Ceremonies on Friday - Photo by Eileen Myers. Francis O'Reilly	Larry Mitchell: Advanced Observing - Photo by Eileen Myers. Larry Mitchell	Mario Motta: Observing the Great American Eclipse Safely - Photo by Eileen Myers. Mario Motta	Rich Nugent: The James Webb Space Telescope - Photo by Eileen Myers. Rich Nugent	Richard Sanderson: A Dipper Full of Stars - Photo by Eileen Myers. Richard Sanderson	Rick Hunter, Flanders Pavillion Master of Ceremonies on Saturday Rick Hunter
Stephen Lieber: International Space Law - Photo by Eileen Myers. Stephen Lieber	All-Important AV Dude All-Important AV Dude

Photos by Dick Koolish

Photos by Cecilia Detrich

Sign Making in Progress - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Sign Making in Progress	Preparing the Picnic Tables for the Thursday Night dinner/meeting. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Hooray! A place to sit!	Eileen Myers, Rick Hunter and Chris Stewart. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Eileen Myers, Rick Hunter and Chris Stewart	Jim and Peter Beaty hard at work preparing their famous cole slaw. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Jim and Peter Beaty making cole slaw	Celebrating several STMers in their 8th decade! - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Celebrating lots of birthdays!	This is what happens when you feed knowledge to Dave Kelly. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Mind Blown!
Dave Kelly excitedly unveiling his new beautiful Dob to a crowd of onlookers. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Dave Kelly unveiling his Scope.	Dave Kelly excitedly unveiling his new beautiful Dob to a crowd of onlookers. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Dave Kelly unveiling his Scope	Dave Tabor and Family at the Clubhouse preparing for the Meeting. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich President and Family	Sunset on Breezy Hill. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Sunset on Breezy Hill	A rare Ken Slater sighting, with Jay Drew. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Ken Slater and Jay Drew	Katie tells and joke and Jay has a laugh. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Having a laugh
May the Chafee be with you! - Photo by Cecilia Detrich May the Chafee be with you!	Chris Stewart from South Africa. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Chris Stewart	Katie taking registrations for the competition. - Photo by Cecilia Detrich Taking Registrations

Photos by Richard Sanderson

"There are never any shortage of smiling faces at Stellafane! Here are a few more: My friends Don and Joy Goulette and their three little princesses sporting glow-in-the-dark space pj's at the Twilight Talks." - Photo by Richard Sanderson Don and Joy Goulette and Family	"Future scientist Kaitlynn Goulette." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. A Future Scientist	"Eileen Myers chatting with Stellafaners in the Flanders Pavilion." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Eileen Myers	"Rodd Westwood, who traveled from the Stellafane antipode (i.e. Australia)" - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Rodd Westwood from Down Under	"Al Takeda teaching the fine art of Astrophotography." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Al Takeda teaching Astrophotography	If you enjoy the fabulous Stellafane web site,www.stellafane.org, you can thank this man: Stellafane Webmaster and Springfield Telescope Makers VP Ken Slater. In 2013, Ken was awarded first place in the Astronomical League's Webmaster Awards. - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Ken Slater
"More than two decades ago, Dr. Kristine Larsen, who is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Central Connecticut State University and Stellafane official, began incorporating children's and beginners' programming into the schedule of Stellafane activities. For the tenth consecutive year, I had the honor of presenting a beginners' program on Saturday morning titled, "Dipper Full of Stars: An Introduction to the Summer Night Sky." Stellafane has given me so much pleasure during the 46 conventions that I've attended since I was 16, it's gratifying to be able to give a little bit back. The audience seemed to enjoy my presentation and hopefully I was able to reinforce the inspiration that these folks were soaking up just by being at Stellafane." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Richard Sanderson	"Dan, Samantha and little Everly stroll along the dirt road that crosses the Stellafane camping area. Even though numbers were down 15% this year, there were quite a few children in attendance. Hopefully, some of them will embrace the hobby of amateur astronomy and continue enjoying Stellafane far into the future." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Danny Antonucci, Samantha Marie and future Stellafaner.	"Steve Hubbard and Scott Tracy at Stellafane, showing off attire that is reserved for astronomy events!" - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Steve Hubbard and Scott Tracy	"Phil Harrington, Dave Gallup and Jack Megas, all longtime good friends of mine, at the Stellafane swap tables early (too early!) Saturday morning." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. A reunion of longtime friends!	"Stellafane is a wonderful place to reconnect with friends each year. Here are astronomy luminaries Roger Sinnott and Dennis di Cicco surveying the swap tables on Saturday morning. Roger and Dennis both share my passion for vintage astronomy books and memorabilia." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Roger Sinnott and Dennis di Cicco	"One of the most beautiful instruments that I saw at my second Stellafane in 1972 was this 10-inch f/5 Newtonian built by high school student Mark Chaffee and machinist Mike Heleba. The scope won second prize in 1972 and Mark, its owner, got his picture in "Sky & Telescope." He used it to explore the heavens for a number of years before moving on to other interests. - Photo by Richard Sanderson (1 of 2) The Heleba Scope: 1st Place Antique Restoration
"When this instrument recently came into the possession of Tom Kiehl, it was showing signs of age, so he did a masterful job of restoring it to its original splendor. Tom decided to bring it to this past weekend's Stellafane convention in Springfield, VT, and he informed Mark that the telescope would be making a return visit to Breezy Hill. I heard this remarkable story from Tom Kiehl on Friday afternoon, and when I came back later in the day to see the telescope a second time, there was a surprise awaiting me. Standing with Tom was the scope's original owner, Mark Chaffee, who I had met in the shadow of this same instrument 45 years ago, when we were both 17 years old! That's Tom on the left shaking hands with Mark. Tom's fabulous restoration of this Stellafane classic won him 1st prize in the antique restoration category." - Photo by Richard Sanderson (2 of 2) Tom Kiehl and Mark Chaffee	"Feast your eyes on one of the most amazing telescopes ever to appear at Stellafane. Dave Kelly spent two years designing this exquisite 12.5 inch f/4.5 Dobsonian that captured two first prizes and a second prize in the Master Class at last evening's Stellafane "Twilight Talks." - Photo by Richard Sanderson (1 of 2) Dave Kelly's Award-Winning Scope	"Feast your eyes on one of the most amazing telescopes ever to appear at Stellafane. Dave Kelly spent two years designing this exquisite 12.5 inch f/4.5 Dobsonian that captured two first prizes and a second prize in the Master Class at last evening's Stellafane "Twilight Talks." - Photo by Richard Sanderson (2 of 2) Dave Kelly and his Dob

Photos by Philip Levine

A Fine Day on Breezy Hill. - Photo taken by Phil Levine A Fine Day on Breezy Hill	Ed Los and Dick Koolish discuss a Breezy Hill Entry - Photo by Phil Levine Ed Los and Dick Koolish in discussion	James Synge and Son with their Panoptes Project - Photo by Phil Levine James Synge and Son	Al Takeda teaching an Astrophoto Seminar - Photo by Phil Levine Al Takeda's Astrophoto Seminar	Stella Kafka of AAVSO - Photo by Phil Levine Stella Kafka of AAVSO	Alan Ward and his Masterful Entry - Photo by Phil Levine Alan Ward and his Masterful Entry
Al Nagler Setting Up - Photo by Phil Levine. Al Nagler Setting Up	Phill Harrington and Jack Megas at the Swap Tables on Saturday morning - Photon by Phil Levine. Phil Harrington and Jack Megas	Steve Clougherty Setting Up - Photo by Phil Levine Steve Clougherty	Stella asking where you will be for the Total Solar Eclipse. - Photo by Phil Levine Stella asks: Where will you be?	Chase Green at the Food Tent - Photo by Phil Levine. Chase Green at the Food Tent	A Tired Welcome Crew - Photo by Phil Levine. A Tired Welcome Crew

Cook Spectrohelioscope/Simoni Observatory Photos by Various Stellafaners

The newly finished Andrew E. Simoni Observatory. - Photo by Ken Slater Andrew E. Simoni Observatory	"Participants at last weekend's Stellafane convention in Springfield, VT had an opportunity to see the new Simoni Observatory, which houses a refurbished 1930's era spectrohelioscope donated by Matt Considine. This type of instrument, invented by George Ellery Hale, allows an observer to view the sun at any visual wavelength. The formal dedication will take place during the 2018 convention." - Photo by Richard Sanderson. Simoni Observatory	Photo by Richard Sanderson. Coelostat	Photo by Richard Sanderson Dave Groski looking through the glass.	Photo by Dick Koolish. Inside the Simoni	Beautiful turn-of-the-century electronics work by Ken Slater. - Photo by Dick Koolish. It's Aliiiive!!!
Dave Prowten and Matt Considine having a chat. - Photo by Dennis Cassia. Dave Prowten and Matt Considine	Bert Willard and Jim Daley, Champions of the Old Guard. - Photo by Jim Beaty. Champions of the Old Guard	Simoni Observatory with Onlookers - Photo by Sal LaRiccia Simoni Observatory with Onlookers	Matt Considine and Coelostat - Photo by Sal LaRiccia Matt Considine and Coelostat	Champions Part Deux - Photo by Sal LaRiccia Champions Part Deux	Another look at the Coelostat - Photo by Chris Stewart. Another look at the Coelostat
Dave Groski looking through the Glass - Photo by Chris Stewart Looking through the glass

Astrophotography by Various Stellafaners

Saturn by The Stellafane Telescope Makers /w 13-Inch Schuppmann

Saturn, 2017 Jul 18, 0252 UT
Camera, ZWO ASI120MC
Telescope, 13 inch Schupmann, 260 focal length (2x Barlow), stopped to 9 inch
Image scale 0.15 arc-sec per pixel
Images, 75 mSec 1,024 of 3,191 images
Disk is 18.0 arc-sec in diameter, CMI=338.7° CMIII=51.3°, North is up

Hartness House Workshop Photos by Various Stellafaners

Hartness House Keynote Presentation by Jason Dittmann. - Hartness House Worshop series by Richard Sanderson (2 of 5) Keynote Presentation	Rodd Westwood, who traveled from Australia to the USA for the eclipse a month early in order to attend Stellafane. - Hartness House Worhshop series by Richard Sanderson (3 of 5) A New Australian Friend	Workshop organizer Dan Lorraine and friends relax prior to the keynote address. - Hartness House Workshop series by Richard Sanderson (4 of 5) Dan Lorraine and Friends	AAVSO Director Stella Kofka in the telescope museum. - Hartness House Workshop series by Richard Anderson (5 of 5) Stella Kofka	Exoplanet Panel. From left to right: Dan Lorraine (Far Left), Dr. Sam Quinn, Dr. Jason Dittman, Dr. Song-Hu Wang, Dr. Jennifer Burt, Dr. Paul Benni, Dr. Stella Kafka, and Brad Vietje. - Photo by Ken Spencer. Exoplanet Panel	Hartness House Group Portrait by Ken Spencer. Speakers at this year's exceptional Hartness House Workshop on exoplanets were, from left, Dr. Stella Kafka, Dr. Paul Benni, Dr. Song-Hu Wang, Dr. Jennifer Burt, Dr. Sam Quinn, Dr. Jason Dittmann and Brad Vietje. The Workshop was organized by Dan Lorraine and Dr. Tom Spirock Hartness House Workshop Group Portrait
The 2017 Hartness House Workshop is now history - one last look at the remarkable Hartness Turret Telescope. - Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (1 of 7). Hartness Turret Telescope	The Hartness Turret Telescope, a 10-inch Brashear refractor with a very unusual mount dating from 1910, is on display today during the pre-Stellafane Hartness House Workshop on exoplanets. - Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (2 of 7) Hartness Turret Telescope	Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (3 of 7) Tunnel to Hartness Turret Telescope	The man standing in the underground tunnel connecting the observatory to the Hartness House Inn is Bert Willard, an optical engineer who wrote the biography of Stellafane founder Russell W. Porter. - Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (4 of 7) Bert Willard in Tunnel	Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (5 of 7) Hartness Turret Telescope	Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (6 of 7) Hartness Turret Telescope
Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (7 of 7) Hartness Turret Telescope	Some scenes from today's Hartness House astronomy workshop in Springfield, VT: - Optical engineers Jim Daley and Bert Willard in the subterranean Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making. - Hartness House Workshop series by Richard Sanderson (1 of 5) Bert Willard and Jim Daley	"This panoramic photo shows the main gallery of the Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making, located at the Hartness House Inn in Springfield, VT. An underground passageway connects the museum to the inn as well as to the Hartness Turret Telescope, which features a 10-inch Brashear objective lens." - Hartness Turret series by Richard Sanderson (2 of 7) Panorama: Hartness-Porter ATM Museum

Saturday Evening Twilight Talk Photos by Various Stellafaners

Early birds getting their first dibs on seats before everyone descends in on the Amphitheatre - Photo by Doug Arion Early birds get the best seats!	A View from the top. - Photo by Doug Arion Twilight Talks are Underway	Kim Cassia working the raffle during the Twilight Talks. - Photo by Dennis Cassia Kim Cassia handing out winning tickets	STMers sit in on the Twilight Talks. - Photo by Francis O'Reilly A View from the STMers	Chris Stewart during the Twilight Talks. Chris came all the way from South Africa to be at Stellafane, 50 years in the making. - Photo by Francis O'Reilly Chris Stewart gives a little speech	John Gallagher preparing to MC the evening program. - Photo by Ken Slater John Gallagher preparing to MC the evening program
Dennis and Kim posing with Nagin Cox - Photo by Dennis Cassia The Cassias with Nagin Cox	Keynote Speaker Nagin Cox of JPL's Mars Rover program. - Photo by Ken Slater Keynote Speaker Nagin Cox	Keynote Speaker Nagin Cox of JPL's Mars Rover program. - Photo by Ken Slater Keynote Speaker Nagin Cox	Looking on towards the STMers - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Looking On towards the STMers	Nagin Cox and the Winning Ticket - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Nagin Cox and the Winning Ticket	Rifkin in Twilight - Photo by Sal LaRiccia. Rifkin in Twilight
From the rafters: A panoramic view of the natural amphitheatre. - Photo by Alan Rifkin. [FULL SIZE VERSION: 3.0MB, 5853x1865] Panorama: A view from the rafters. (3.0MB)