Historic Convention Photos 1980-1999

1980 Stellafane Convention

Photos from the Stellafane Archives by Jack Welch.

1980 Stellafane Convention 8-inch Dobsonian by Thomas Collin of Trois-Rivières, Québec. 8-inch Dobsonian by Thomas Collin of Trois-Rivières, Québec.	1980 Stellafane Convention Dobsonian with a nice tube cradle. Dobsonian with a nice tube cradle.
1980 Stellafane Convention Low center of gravity fork mount. Low center of gravity fork mount.	1980 Stellafane Convention Chimney Scope on a pipe-fork mount. Chimney Scope on a pipe-fork mount.	1980 Stellafane Convention A massive fork mount. A massive fork mount.

Photos by Norm Fredrick, STM.

1980 Stellafane Convention 16-inch Dillworth style relay Cassegrain on a fork mount. 16-inch Dillworth style relay Cassegrain on a fork mount.	1980 Stellafane Convention The Porter Turret Telescope during the 1980 Convention. The Porter Turret Telescope during the 1980 Convention.	1980 Stellafane Convention A solar-powered Stirling Engine exhibited by ATMoB Fred Chellis who was a cryo-engineer, Stellafane Committee member, and mechanical judge. A solar-powered Stirling Engine exhibited by ATMoB Fred Chellis who was a cryo-engineer, Stellafane Committee member, and mechanical judge.
1980 Stellafane Convention Telescopes on display amongst a corwd of conventioneers. Telescopes on display amongst a corwd of conventioneers.	1980 Stellafane Convention Denny Medlock of Oakland, CA with her optics award winning 8-inch telescope. Denny Medlock of Oakland, CA with her optics award winning 8-inch telescope.	1980 Stellafane Convention Keven Medlock (not in photo) of Oakland, CA built this 18-inch truss-tube fork mount. Keven Medlock (not in photo) of Oakland, CA built this 18-inch truss-tube fork mount.
1980 Stellafane Convention Doug McGregor's blue 12-inch Dobsonian. The McGregor Observatory is named for Doug, a well liked club secretary who died at an early age. Doug McGregor's blue 12-inch Dobsonian. The McGregor Observatory is named for Doug, a well liked club secretary who died at an early age.	1980 Stellafane Convention Wooden Fork Mounted Telescope. Wooden Fork Mounted Telescope.	1980 Stellafane Convention Another Fork Mount, this one supporting a trss-tube scope, Another Fork Mount, this one supporting a trss-tube scope,
1980 Stellafane Convention The MMT model was built by Harvard modelmaker Hal Robinson and Ken Launie. Hal is to the left in photo. The MMT model was built by Harvard modelmaker Hal Robinson and Ken Launie. Hal is to the left in photo.		1980 Stellafane Convention The sun seen via solar projection. The sun seen via solar projection.

1981 Stellafane Convention

Photos from the Stellafane Archives by Jack Welch.

1981 Stellafane Convention A nice equitorial mounted set of scopes. A nice equitorial mounted set of scopes.	1981 Stellafane Convention Steve Dodson’s 22-inch f/7.3 telescope Steve Dodson’s 22-inch f/7.3 telescope	1981 Stellafane Convention A long refractor on a tall pier. A long refractor on a tall pier.
1981 Stellafane Convention A fisrt-generation large dob. A fisrt-generation large dob.	Photo at right by Norm Fredrick, STM.	1981 Stellafane Convention This huge 22-inch f/7.3 telescope belongs to club member Steve Dodson. This huge 22-inch f/7.3 telescope belongs to club member Steve Dodson.

Photos by John Bortle.

1981 Stellafane Convention The crowd on Breezy Hill examining many homemade telescopes. The crowd on Breezy Hill examining many homemade telescopes.	1981 Stellafane Convention Perils of observing with a really big, long-focus, Dob! Steve Dodson's 22-inch f/7.3 trailer-mounted scope. Perils of observing with a really big, long-focus, Dob! Steve Dodson's 22-inch f/7.3 trailer-mounted scope.	1981 Stellafane Convention John Briggs (right) stands beside the huge flat mirror he brought to the meeting and originally employed in the testing of Lick Observatory's 36-inch refractor's objective. Later in the day it cracked from sitting in the sun! John Briggs (right) stands beside the huge flat mirror he brought to the meeting and originally employed in the testing of Lick Observatory's 36-inch refractor's objective. Later in the day it cracked from sitting in the sun!
1981 Stellafane Convention Bud Stanley and Dennis Cassia converse with Tonight's Asteroids editor Dr. Jay Gunter. Bud Stanley and Dennis Cassia converse with Tonight's Asteroids editor Dr. Jay Gunter.	1981 Stellafane Convention Members of Ben Mayer's (center) Problicom nova search team gather for a group photo at Stellafane. Members of Ben Mayer's (center) Problicom nova search team gather for a group photo at Stellafane.	1981 Stellafane Convention The crowd gathers in front of the Clubhouse waiting for the Twilight Talks to begin. The crowd gathers in front of the Clubhouse waiting for the Twilight Talks to begin.

1982 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Norm Fredrick, STM.

1982 Stellafane Convention Schupmann on display in front of the Stellafane clubhouse. Schupmann on display in front of the Stellafane clubhouse.

Photos by John Bortle.

1982 Stellafane Convention A seemingly endless line of ATM tents stretches into the distance in Miller's Field. A seemingly endless line of ATM tents stretches into the distance in Miller's Field.	1982 Stellafane Convention Beautiful armillary sphere built by Real Manseau. Beautiful armillary sphere built by Real Manseau.	1982 Stellafane Convention Rotating observing chair carries a 6-inch RFT with a fixed eyepiece. Rotating observing chair carries a 6-inch RFT with a fixed eyepiece.
1982 Stellafane Convention A robust all-wood big Dob. A robust all-wood big Dob.		1982 Stellafane Convention Massive trailer-mounted 12-inch. Massive trailer-mounted 12-inch.
1982 Stellafane Convention Telescope expert John Briggs (in jeans) peruses some antique instruments. Telescope expert John Briggs (in jeans) peruses some antique instruments.	1982 Stellafane Convention ...and you say you can sleep in there when you are finished observing? ...and you say you can sleep in there when you are finished observing?	1982 Stellafane Convention Impressive Schupmann. Impressive Schupmann.

1983 Stellafane Convention

Photos by John Bortle.

1983 Stellafane Convention Scotty Houston dodges Saturday afternoon showers down in the campground. Scotty Houston dodges Saturday afternoon showers down in the campground.	1983 Stellafane Convention The scramble for goodies at the Swap Tables. The scramble for goodies at the Swap Tables.	1983 Stellafane Convention A woodworking craftsman's masterpiece. A woodworking craftsman's masterpiece.
1983 Stellafane Convention Antiques telescope expert Robert Arial (left) discusses a small fork-mounted scope with Dr. Jay Gunter (center) and another unidentified ATM. Antiques telescope expert Robert Arial (left) discusses a small fork-mounted scope with Dr. Jay Gunter (center) and another unidentified ATM.	1983 Stellafane Convention ATMoB member Michael Mattei (facing camera) outlines the fine points of Schupmann telescope design with another hobbyist. ATMoB member Michael Mattei (facing camera) outlines the fine points of Schupmann telescope design with another hobbyist.	1983 Stellafane Convention Televue's Al Nagler poses beside a large compound refractor. Televue's Al Nagler poses beside a large compound refractor.
1983 Stellafane Convention A magnificently machined Newt/Cass highly reminiscent of the ones used in the original Palomar site survey (see Amateur Telescope Making, vol. ?) A magnificently machined Newt/Cass highly reminiscent of the ones used in the original Palomar site survey (see Amateur Telescope Making, vol. ?)	1983 Stellafane Convention This canary-yellow 16-inch Dob traveled all the way from The Windy City to Stellafane. This canary-yellow 16-inch Dob traveled all the way from The Windy City to Stellafane.	1983 Stellafane Convention A novel design for a 12-inch Dob is illustrated in this scope. A novel design for a 12-inch Dob is illustrated in this scope.

1984 Stellafane Convention

Photos by John Bortle.

1984 Stellafane Convention Running the Mud Gauntlet down in Miller's Field after some heavy rains! Running the Mud Gauntlet down in Miller's Field after some heavy rains!	1984 Stellafane Convention Threatening skies over Stellafane. Threatening skies over Stellafane.	1984 Stellafane Convention Big Guns - a standard focal-length 8-inch and its RFT little brother are co-mounted with a big 12-inch Newt. Big Guns - a standard focal-length 8-inch and its RFT little brother are co-mounted with a big 12-inch Newt.
1984 Stellafane Convention Classic 19th century refractor on display in front of the Clubhouse. Classic 19th century refractor on display in front of the Clubhouse.	1984 Stellafane Convention Massive truly observatory-class Cassegrain. Massive truly observatory-class Cassegrain.	1984 Stellafane Convention Big wooden Dob. Big wooden Dob.
1984 Stellafane Convention Canadian amateur Dr. George Fortier (in cap) looks over a big Dob. Canadian amateur Dr. George Fortier (in cap) looks over a big Dob.	1984 Stellafane Convention An absolutely massive wooden cross-axis mounted 8-inch Newt. An absolutely massive wooden cross-axis mounted 8-inch Newt.	1984 Stellafane Convention ATMs gather in the growing darkness for the evening's Twilight Talks. ATMs gather in the growing darkness for the evening's Twilight Talks.

Photo courtesy of Martin Rochette.

19?? Stellafane Convention Martin Rochette of Quebec, Canada with his Dobsonian telescope. He won the Most Innovative Component Award for devising a tracking mechanism for this Dob. Martin Rochette of Quebec, Canada with his Dobsonian telescope. He won the Most Innovative Component Award for devising a tracking mechanism for this Dob.

1986 Stellafane Convention

Photos courtesy of Nick Oshana.

1986 Stellafane Convention

1986 Stellafane Convention

1986 Stellafane Convention

1987 Stellafane Convention

Video courtesy of John Dilsaver of Sparta, MO; Video created by Alan Levin.
(Alan Levin and Steve Cariddi produced "The Starry Messenger" astronomy classified ad publication)

John Dobson Stellafane 1987 Keynote Presentation  First 13:48 black screen audio only except  an occassional photoflash illuminates Dobson.  Slides visible from 13:48 to 26:50. Then a minute  of black screen audio before the recording ends.

1988 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Michael J. O'Connell.

1988 Stellafane Convention Michael J. O'Connell with his first homemade telescope, at (most likely) the 1988 covention. Michael J. O'Connell with his first homemade telescope, at (most likely) the 1988 covention.

1988 Stellafane Convention Convention badge and signatures of Clyde W. Tombaugh and Walter Scott Houston. Convention badge and signatures of Clyde W. Tombaugh and Walter Scott Houston.

1988 Stellafane Convention Michael J. O'Connell and Walter Scott Houston, at (most likely) the 1988 covention. Michael J. O'Connell and Walter Scott Houston, at (most likely) the 1988 covention.

Photo by Francis J. O'Reilly.	Photo by Bert willard.	Photo by Nick Oshama.
1988 Stellafane Convention Clyde Tombaugh signs a card for Vincent O’Reilly on August 13, 1988. Clyde Tombaugh signs a card for Vincent O’Reilly on August 13, 1988.	1988 Stellafane Convention Clyde Tombaugh signs a card for Vincent O’Reilly on August 13, 1988. Clyde Tombaugh signs a card for Vincent O’Reilly on August 13, 1988.	1988 Stellafane Convention Looking into a portable observatory with integrated telescope. Looking into a portable observatory with integrated telescope.

1989 Stellafane Convention

Photo courtesy of Franklin Morgan.

1991 Stellafane Convention Franklin Morgan's large binoculars in front of the club house. Franklin won 3rd place in deign inginuity and craftsmanship; He is in black holding a cup. Franklin Morgan's large binoculars in front of the club house. Franklin won 3rd place in deign inginuity and craftsmanship; He is in black holding a cup.

1991 Stellafane Convention

Photos courtesy of Peter Cook, first four taken by Lisa Jo Rudy (Peter's wife), last photo by Bob Summerfield.

1991 Stellafane Convention Scott Manning & Peter Cook admire their Watermelon Scope, including the 'decomposition drive' (Scope moves as it decomposes). Scott Manning & Peter Cook admire their Watermelon Scope, including the 'decomposition drive' (Scope moves as it decomposes).	1991 Stellafane Convention Peter Cook enlarges the optical tube. They bought local before it was fashionable, picking up the watermelon and cucumber in Springfield. Peter Cook enlarges the optical tube. They bought local before it was fashionable, picking up the watermelon and cucumber in Springfield.	1991 Stellafane Convention Scott Manning gesturing and probably exclaiming "What, dew problems again?". Note the cucumber finder scope. Scott Manning gesturing and probably exclaiming "What, dew problems again?". Note the cucumber finder scope.
1991 Stellafane Convention Peter Cook: "We couldn't believe it when we got the award - we were shocked." Peter Cook: "We couldn't believe it when we got the award - we were shocked."	The telescope parts for the watermelon telescope were donated by Derrick Pitts, Director of the Franklin Institute Fels Planetarium in Philadelphia. Peter and Scott had to disassemble an Edmunds telescope to get them and then clean them off and reassemble it when they were done.	1991 Stellafane Convention Peter Cook and Scott Manning with their award winning Watermelon Scope. Peter Cook and Scott Manning with their award winning Watermelon Scope.

Video courtesy of Peter Cook, taken by Lee Shelp. (25 seconds, 1 Mb streaming)

1993 Stellafane Convention

Photos courtesy of Nick Oshama.

1993 Stellafane Convention	1993 Stellafane Convention	1993 Stellafane Convention
1993 Stellafane Convention		1993 Stellafane Convention

Photos courtesy of Ron Abey.

This 12½-inch Newtonian on a German Equitorial Mount by Ron Abey of Red Lion, PA won First Place Craftsmanship and Third Place Mechanical Design at the 1993 Stellafane Convention. The scope has since been passed along to his son Mathew and is being modified for GoTo operation.	1993 Stellafane Convention Jim Flood and Rob Abey with Ron's 12½ scope. Jim Flood and Rob Abey with Ron's 12½ scope.	1993 Stellafane Convention Ron Abey with is award winning scope. Ron Abey with is award winning scope.
	1993 Stellafane Convention Mount detail of Ron Abey's scope. Mount detail of Ron Abey's scope.	1993 Stellafane Convention Conventioneers admiring the scope. Conventioneers admiring the scope.

1995 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Ken Slater, STM.

1995 Stellafane Convention Telescopes on display, many awaiting the arrival of the mechanical judges. Telescopes on display, many awaiting the arrival of the mechanical judges.

1995 Stellafane Convention Behind the clubhouse, a large equitorial mounted Newtonian. Behind the clubhouse, a large equitorial mounted Newtonian.

1995 Stellafane Convention Behind the clubhouse, with conventioneers on the rocks. Behind the clubhouse, with conventioneers on the rocks.

Photos courtesy of Nick Oshama.

1995 Stellafane Convention	1995 Stellafane Convention
	1995 Stellafane Convention	1995 Stellafane Convention

1996 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Ken Slater, STM.

1996 Stellafane Convention John Dobson grinds a mirror on a bench under the tent. Junie Esslinger is behind him to the right. Ken Slater in cap with nametag far rear right. John Dobson grinds a mirror on a bench under the tent. Junie Esslinger is behind him to the right. Ken Slater in cap with nametag far rear right.	1996 Stellafane Convention Scopes on display on Breezy Hill with a large crowd to appreciate the creativity and cleverness of their designs. Scopes on display on Breezy Hill with a large crowd to appreciate the creativity and cleverness of their designs.	1996 Stellafane Convention A big crowd of bargain seekers gathers at the swap tables. A big crowd of bargain seekers gathers at the swap tables.
1996 Stellafane Convention The Dino Argentini scope, now housed in the domed observatory, which Dino won 1st place in 1968 for both optical and mechanical. Dino gifted the scope to paul Paul Valleli (seated), who then donated to Stellafane. The Dino Argentini scope, now housed in the domed observatory, which Dino won 1st place in 1968 for both optical and mechanical. Dino gifted the scope to paul Paul Valleli (seated), who then donated to Stellafane.	1996 Stellafane Convention Huge Refracor from Arunah Hill attracted a lot of attention this year out back behind the clubhouse. Huge Refracor from Arunah Hill attracted a lot of attention this year out back behind the clubhouse.	1996 Stellafane Convention Big Dobs get ready for nightfall. Big Dobs get ready for nightfall.

1997 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Ken Slater, STM.

1997 Stellafane Convention Conventioneers and Telescopes surround the Stellafane Clubhouse. Conventioneers and Telescopes surround the Stellafane Clubhouse.	1997 Stellafane Convention Scopes on disply in front of the clubhouse. The Porter Turret is open, probably for solar viewing. Scopes on disply in front of the clubhouse. The Porter Turret is open, probably for solar viewing.	1997 Stellafane Convention Staring into a Big Dob set up behind the clubhouse. Staring into a Big Dob set up behind the clubhouse.
1997 Stellafane Convention Trailer mounted dual scopes attract a small crowd. Trailer mounted dual scopes attract a small crowd.	1997 Stellafane Convention These big binouclars, set up behind the clubhouse, had a constant stream of visitors all day long. These big binouclars, set up behind the clubhouse, had a constant stream of visitors all day long.	1997 Stellafane Convention This transparent scope,fully functional, could show the light path in a Newtonian after smoke was added and a bright light shown in. This transparent scope,fully functional, could show the light path in a Newtonian after smoke was added and a bright light shown in.

Photos by Al Rifkin, STM.

1997 Stellafane Convention Swap Tables, must be early, not a big crowd. Swap Tables, must be early, not a big crowd.	1997 Stellafane Convention Swap Tables, now with a normal crowd. Swap Tables, now with a normal crowd.	1997 Stellafane Convention Louie's Chiken Barbeque. Louie's Chiken Barbeque.
1997 Stellafane Convention Al Nagler in his spot on Stellfane East. Al Nagler in his spot on Stellfane East.	1997 Stellafane Convention Scott Tracy, ASGH, with a convention hat. Scott Tracy, ASGH, with a convention hat.	1997 Stellafane Convention Giant Binoculars behind the clubhouse. Giant Binoculars behind the clubhouse.

1998 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Ken Slater, STM.

1998 Stellafane Convention Conventioneers and Telescopes in front of the clubhouse. Conventioneers and Telescopes in front of the clubhouse.	1998 Stellafane Convention Ken Slater grinds the 27-inch mirror under the tent in the ATM demo area. Ken Slater grinds the 27-inch mirror under the tent in the ATM demo area.	1998 Stellafane Convention Wayne Zuhl's scotch mount. Left to Right: (likely) Linda Ide, Wayne Zuhl, Steve Jenner, unknown. Wayne Zuhl's scotch mount. Left to Right: (likely) Linda Ide, Wayne Zuhl, Steve Jenner, unknown.
1998 Stellafane Convention Bowling Ball mount and 5-gallon plastic buckets for tube ends, this scope shows a lot of ATM creativity. Bowling Ball mount and 5-gallon plastic buckets for tube ends, this scope shows a lot of ATM creativity.	1998 Stellafane Convention Mount Ascutney in the distance looms up over Breezy Hill at Convention 1998. Mount Ascutney in the distance looms up over Breezy Hill at Convention 1998.	1998 Stellafane Convention The Polar Cassegrain built into the south wall of the clubhouse, with mirrors in place. The Polar Cassegrain built into the south wall of the clubhouse, with mirrors in place.

Photos by Al Rifkin, STM.

1998 Stellafane Convention An empty swap table area waits for the crowds to arrive. An empty swap table area waits for the crowds to arrive.	1998 Stellafane Convention No longer empty, the swap table area is filled with bargain seekers. No longer empty, the swap table area is filled with bargain seekers.	1998 Stellafane Convention The lettering on the red blanket says "The Couch-Potato Telescope" The lettering on the red blanket says "The Couch-Potato Telescope"
1998 Stellafane Convention Coffee Can Telescope. Coffee Can Telescope.	1998 Stellafane Convention A 10-inch f/5.6 by Claudio "Clu" Fabi of Springfield, VT. Won innovative componnet for the open lattice ball. A 10-inch f/5.6 by Claudio "Clu" Fabi of Springfield, VT. Won innovative componnet for the open lattice ball.	1998 Stellafane Convention Conventioneers in front of the clubhouse on a beautiful day. Conventioneers in front of the clubhouse on a beautiful day.
1998 Stellafane Convention A very nice painting on this small Dobsonian, along with a nice fabric tube covering. A very nice painting on this small Dobsonian, along with a nice fabric tube covering.	1998 Stellafane Convention A conventioneer dressed as the Stellfane Little Man takes a lunch break. A conventioneer dressed as the Stellfane Little Man takes a lunch break.	1998 Stellafane Convention At the evening program, Bob Morse, MC, Al Monkowski and David Levy, Shadowgram Speaker. At the evening program, Bob Morse, MC, Al Monkowski and David Levy, Shadowgram Speaker.

Photos courtesy of Nick Oshama.

1998 Stellafane Convention

1998 Stellafane Convention

1998 Stellafane Convention

1999 Stellafane Convention

Photos by Ken Slater, STM.

1999 Stellafane Convention At the ATM demoes under the tent, Ken Slater discusses grinding techniques with a sub-diamter tool. He is holding the 18" tool for the 27" mirror it is resting on. At the ATM demoes under the tent, Ken Slater discusses grinding techniques with a sub-diamter tool. He is holding the 18" tool for the 27" mirror it is resting on.

1999 Stellafane Convention Foucault testing demo in the ATM demo area. Brad Vietje with penlight, John Gallagher right of Brad, Ken Slater with Coude mask. Foucault testing demo in the ATM demo area. Brad Vietje with penlight, John Gallagher right of Brad, Ken Slater with Coude mask.

1999 Stellafane Convention Hosting conventioneers in the clubhouse. Ken Slater, white cap left rear, Maryann Arrien center. Hosting conventioneers in the clubhouse. Ken Slater, white cap left rear, Maryann Arrien center.

Photos by Al Rifkin, STM.

1999 Stellafane Convention Scott Milligan, Brad Vietje, Sher Malik's son, Sher Malik (back to us), Unknown (Green Cap), Al Stern. Scott Milligan, Brad Vietje, Sher Malik's son, Sher Malik (back to us), Unknown (Green Cap), Al Stern.	1999 Stellafane Convention An interesting conduit frame scope set up by a campsite. An interesting conduit frame scope set up by a campsite.	1999 Stellafane Convention The Swap Tables, crowded as always. The Swap Tables, crowded as always.
1999 Stellafane Convention Breezy Hill, Saturday Morning. Al Rifkin's Lego Scope (fully functional) at center. Breezy Hill, Saturday Morning. Al Rifkin's Lego Scope (fully functional) at center.	1999 Stellafane Convention A crowd gathers under the tent for the evening program. A crowd gathers under the tent for the evening program.	1999 Stellafane Convention Remember, you can never buy too many raffle tickets! Remember, you can never buy too many raffle tickets!
1999 Stellafane Convention John Dobson address the crowd. Gary Cislak in the wings, Bob Morse (MC) Al Stern (seated) John Dobson address the crowd. Gary Cislak in the wings, Bob Morse (MC) Al Stern (seated)	1999 Stellafane Convention Gary Cislak presents Al Nagler with a club designed "Nagler Type 5". Al was surprised anyone could design eyepieces bigger than he could. Gary Cislak presents Al Nagler with a club designed "Nagler Type 5". Al was surprised anyone could design eyepieces bigger than he could.	1999 Stellafane Convention What? Rain at Stellafane? Very Unusual! What? Rain at Stellafane? Very Unusual!

Photos courtesy of Nick Oshama.

1999 Stellafane Convention	1999 Stellafane Convention	1999 Stellafane Convention
1999 Stellafane Convention		1999 Stellafane Convention

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