Panoramic view showing the Porter Turret Telescope, Stellafane clubhouse and the tent protecting most of the homemade telescopes that were entered into the competition (a few were set up in the field to the left). - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Porter Turret, Clubhouse and Telescope Tent (Pano)
Panoramic view from the front of the clubhouse on Friday. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Panoramic View from Clubhouse
The Stellafane clubhouse is now 100 years old! - Photo by Richard Sanderson
The Clubhouse is 100 Years Old this Year!
Volunteer Charlotte shows off all the available Swag at the Merch Table - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Lots of Stella-Swag!
Kaitlynn, Krystyna and Don Goulette stroll through the camping area. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
The Goulettes
Bob Bartlett is a member of the Springfield (MA) STARS Club. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Bob Bartlett, Springfield STARS
Homemade telescopes and scores of people cluster under the tent as the threat of rain continues. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Telescopes Under the Tent
Jenny Powers happily enjoys her second Stellafane convention. She’s standing in front of the Porter Turret Telescope, which was built in 1930. Jenny is the director of the Springfield (MA) Science Museum. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Jenny Powers posing with the Porter Turret
Ken Slater and Dave Groski hang out in front of the Porter Turret Scope. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Hanging out with the Boys
The Porter Turret Telescope, designed to allow observers to view the heavens while protected from the elements (e.g. below-zero chill factors during winter months). This is unlike any telescope most people have ever seen. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Inside the Porter Turret
McGregor Observatory features a 13-inch f/10 Schupmann telescope and is one of several permanent observatories on the Stellafane grounds. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
McGregor Observatory
Uh Oh, here comes the rain! - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Uh Oh, here comes the rain!
The Simoni Observatory houses an old but beautifully restored spectrohelioscope. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Simoni Observatory
Francis O’Reilly keeps watch over the Simoni Observatory Spectrohelioscope. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Francis O'Reilly Keeps Watch
I am about to explain my obsession with the arcane hobby of collecting vintage astronomy books and memorabilia. Of course, being at Stellafane, I emphasized items relating to telescopes and telescope making, but I also touched upon the Revolutionary War. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
My Vintage Book Talk
Tony Costanza, Scott Tracy and Geoff Hornseth contemplate the weather at the Porter Turret Scope. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Contemplating the Weather
The ever-popular Swap Tables were up and running bright and early on Saturday morning. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Early Saturday Morning at the Swap Tables
Seek And Ye Shall Find - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Seek and Ye Shall Find
There must be something here that I need! - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Something I need here?!
I had a nice chat with my friend Al Monkowski while browsing the Swap Tables. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Dr. Al Monkowski
From left: Kerry Hurd, Kaitlynn Goulette, Krystyna Goulette, Richard Nugent and Linda Hurd. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Goulettes and Friends
Longtime astronomy buddies Al Papsun and Phil Harrington. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Astronomy Buddies
Antique-telescope expert Bart Fried (right) gave me a persuasive sales pitch for this vintage instrument. My reply: “The last thing I need is another telescope!” Joining Bart is Kevin Conod. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Persuasive Sales Pitch
Patrick Dodson is one of many dedicated volunteers who assure that Stellafane remains alive and vibrant. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Patrick Dodson
I look forward to visiting with my longtime friend Phil Harrington every year at Stellafane. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Phil and I
An Elegant Mount - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Elegant Mount
Judges inspect a giant telescope. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Inspecting a Giant
Kevin Kopchynski admires an example of superb craftsmanship. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Superb Craftsmanship
Joe Dechene proudly displays his 100mm f/4.5 binoculars. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Seeing Double
Eli Goldfine with an old 6-inch Newtonian that he restored. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Eli Golfine restored Newtonian
I was impressed by the beautifully crisp images delivered by this 2-inch f/7.4 hiking scope built by John Holleran. Imagine grinding, polishing and aluminizing a 2-inch telescope mirror! - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Demonstrating a Tiny Scope
Geoff Hornseth displays an upgraded telescope that he originally built in 1963-1964. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
An Upgraded Telescope
Al Washburn stands with a very special 10-inch Dobsonian for which he “started the mirror with John Dobson and finished it with Dick Parker.” - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Mirror Started with John Dobson, Finished with Dick Parker
Phil Harrington inspects Al Washburn’s 10-inch Dob. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Phil Harrington inspects a Dob
Fellow vintage-astronomy-book collector Steve Hubbard tries to stay one step ahead of me at the swap tables! - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Vintage Astronomy Book Collector Steve Hubbard
What a nice surprise to bump into my friend Bob Trombley at Stellafane. He and I attended a number of Stellafane conventions together back in the 1970s. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Richard and Friend
My hometown astronomy club, the Springfield (MA) STARS, was well represented at Stellafane. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Springfield STARS, Assemble!
My son Ace has joined me at Stellafane at least 7 or 8 times. - Photo by Richard Sanderson
Father and Son