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2022 Stellafane Convention Schedule

You will receive a printed Convention Bulletin with the schedule in it when you check in at the gate.
Download the 2022 Convention Bulletin (PDF File).

Thursday, July 28, 2022

 8:30am
-
 5:00pm
Seminar or Workshop

Hartness House Hosted by Tom Spirock Workshop (Separate Registration)
Noon
-
 4:00pm
Operating Hours

Entry Gate  Please don't arrive before Noon!
 3:00pm
-
10:00pm
Operating Hours

Entry Gate  Please don't arrive before 3:00!
 6:00pm
-
 9:00pm
Seminar or Workshop

Hartness House Hosted by Tom Spirock Dinner (Separate Registration)
 8:30pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing Fields Coordinated by Eileen Myers Telescopes & Binoculars
 9:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
 9:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting

Friday, July 29, 2022

 8:00am
Operating Hours

Entry Gate  Gate Opens
 9:00am
-
 6:00pm
Observing

Open, Solar Observing  Weather Permitting
 9:00am
-
 5:00pm
Observing

Simoni Observatory Solar Observing Weather Permitting
10:00am
-
 6:00pm
Operating Hours

Bus Stops  Bus Stops: Pine Island, Food Tent, Pink Clubhouse
10:00am
-
 4:00pm
Observing

Open, Solar Observing  Weather Permitting
10:00am
-
 4:00pm
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Org. by M. Hayes & R. Predmore ATM Demo Hours
10:00am
-
10:30am
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Read Predmore Intro & Rough Grinding
10:30am
-
11:00am
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Rick Hunter Fine Grinding
11:00am
-
11:30am
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by TBD Making Dental Stone Tools
11:00am
-
Noon
Intermediate Topic

Flanders Pavilion Presented by Doug Arion 
11:30am
-
Noon
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Phil Rounseville Making Pitch Laps
12:30pm
-
 1:30pm
Beginners Topic

Meet at M44 (Green Shed) behind Clubhouse Roger Williams 
 1:00pm
-
 5:00pm
Children & Teens

Bunkhouse Presented by Paul Fucile and Eimear Gallagher Teens 12-17
 1:00pm
-
 1:45pm
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Dick Parker Polishing & Figuring
 1:00pm
Children & Teens

Swap Table Area Hosted by Wayne Zuhl 16 and under / Weather Permitting
 1:00pm
-
 2:00pm
Intermediate Topic
 2:00pm
-
 3:00pm
Beginners Topic

Flanders Pavilion Presented by Dean Regas 
 2:00pm
-
 4:00pm
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales With Dave Kelly & Doug Arion Testing (Bring your own mirror)
 2:00pm
-
 3:00pm
Observing

Observing Fields  Please set up your Solar Scope and Share
 2:00pm
-
 6:00pm
Observing
 2:00pm
-
 3:00pm
Children & Teens

McGregor Observatory The Sun Ages 5-12; Limited to first 15
 3:00pm
-
 4:00pm
Intermediate Topic

Flanders Pavilion Presented by Richard Sanderson 
 4:00pm
-
 5:00pm
Intermediate Topic

Flanders Pavilion Presented by Phil Harrington 
 4:00pm
-
 6:00pm
Museum Open

Hartness House Hosted by Matt Considine, Curator 
 5:00pm
-
 8:00pm
Telescope Competition

Clubhouse  Optical and Mechanical Registration
 6:30pm
-
 7:30pm
Everyone

Flanders Pavilion  Astronomy documentaries for the whole family
 7:30pm
Major Event

Flanders Pavilion Bruce Beford, MC Short presentations by Convention Attendees
 8:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
 8:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
 8:30pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing Fields Coordinated by Eileen Myers Telescopes & Binoculars
 9:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
10:00pm
Operating Hours

Entry Gate  Gate Closes
10:00pm
Telescope Competition

Fields around Clubhouse  Optical Competition Begins

Saturday, July 30, 2022

 7:00am
-
Noon
Major Event

Swap Table Area - North of Main Camping Area  
 7:00am
Operating Hours

Entry Gate  Gate Opens
 8:00am
-
 6:00pm
Observing

Open, Solar Observing  Weather Permitting
 8:00am
-
 6:00pm
Observing

Open, Solar Observing  Weather Permitting
 8:00am
-
 5:00pm
Observing

Simoni Observatory Solar observing Weather Permitting
 8:00am
-
 9:30am
Telescope Competition

Clubhouse  Mechanical (and Optical if needed) Registration
 9:00am
-
 5:00pm
Operating Hours

Bus Stops  Bus Stops: Pine Island, Food Tent, Pink Clubhouse
10:00am
-
 1:00pm
Telescope Competition

Fields around Clubhouse  Mechanical Competition
10:00am
-
11:00am
Beginners Topic

Flanders Pavilion Presented by Kim & Dennis Cassia 
10:00am
-
 5:00pm
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Org. by M. Hayes & R. Predmore ATM Demo Hours
10:00am
-
10:30am
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Read Predmore Intro & Rough Grinding
10:30am
-
11:00am
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Mike Hayes Fine Grinding
11:00am
-
Noon
Advanced Topic

Flanders Pavilion Present by Clifton Ashcraft 
11:00am
-
11:30am
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by TBD Making Dental Stone Tools
11:00am
-
Noon
Children & Teens

McGregor Observatory Star Clocks and Star Finders Ages 5-12; Limited to first 15
11:30am
-
12:30pm
Beginners Topic

Meet at Front of Clubhouse Led by David McGaw 
11:30am
-
Noon
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Phil Rounseville Making Pitch Laps
12:30pm
-
 1:30pm
Beginners Topic

Meet at M44 (Green Shed) behind Clubhouse Roger Williams 
 1:00pm
-
 2:00pm
Intermediate Topic

Flanders Pavilion Presented by Peter Bealo 
 1:00pm
-
 1:45pm
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Dick Parker Polishing & Figuring
 2:00pm
-
 4:00pm
Telescope Making

Tent by T-Shirt Sales Presented by Glenn Jackson Dobsonian Basics
 2:00pm
-
 3:00pm
Children & Teens

McGregor Observatory Comets and Meteorites Ages 5-12; Limited to first 15
 2:00pm
-
 6:00pm
Observing
 2:00pm
-
 3:00pm
Observing

Observing Fields  Please set up your Solar Scope and Share
 2:00pm
-
 3:00pm
Intermediate Topic
 3:00pm
-
 4:00pm
Advanced Topic

Flanders Pavilion Present by Alexander Varakin 
 4:00pm
-
 5:30pm
Advanced Topic

Flanders Pavilion Present by Larry Mitchell 
 7:00pm
Major Event

Amphitheater (Flanders Pavilion if rain)  Includes Keynote, Shadowgram, Raffle & Awards
 8:30pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing Fields Coordinated by Eileen Myers Telescopes & Binoculars
 9:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
 9:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
 9:00pm
-
Midnight
Observing

Observing  Weather Permitting
10:00pm
Telescope Competition

Fields around Clubhouse  Optical Competition (Only if not held Friday)

Sunday, July 31, 2022

 8:00am
-
Noon
Everyone

Please clean up around your campsite  Please put trash in the dumpsters
 9:00am
-
Noon
Museum Open

Hartness House Hosted by Matt Considine, Curator 
10:30am
-
11:30am
Observing

Hillside below McGregor Coordinated by Eileen Myers Award Pins Only

— Major Convention Events —

Friday Evening Informal Talks

Fri 7:30 pm - Flanders PavilionBruce Beford, MCShort presentations by Convention Attendees

If you wish to contribute a short talk during this session, please register online. Talks are limited to 10 minutes and 20 slides. The time limit will be strictly enforced! A digital projector will be available for your use - please bring your presentation on a USB stick.

Swap Tables

Sat 7:00 am - 12:00 pmSwap Table Area - North of Main Camping Area

The Swap Tables (located at the northeast edge of the main camping/parking area) are provided to give amateurs an opportunity to trade, buy or sell their surplus astronomical and telescope related items. The Swap Table area will be open from 7:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

 

POLICY OF THE SPRINGFIELD TELESCOPE MAKERS REGARDING COMMERCIALISM
AND THE SWAP TABLES AT THE CONVENTION

The Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. has clarified its policy regarding commercialism and Swap Table sales at the Stellafane Convention. For the sake of historical continuity, to preserve the uniqueness of the Stellafane Convention and to encourage Conventioneers to build their own instruments, the Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. do not allow commercial sales, of any kind, at the Stellafane Convention. All swap table sales must comply, in concept, with the above objective but are also specifically subject to the following criteria:

  1. Only surplus astronomical, telescope and telescope making related items may be sold.
  2. Each person will be allowed 16 square feet of table or ground space.
  3. Items which have the appearance of being specifically purchased or manufactured for sale at the Swap Tables may not be sold.
  4. All sales must take place within the designated Swap Table area only between 7 a.m. and noon, the Saturday of the Stellafane Convention.

The Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. may choose to grant a limited exception to the above policies to astronomy related organizations for their fundraising. Any request for an exemption must be made, in writing, at least one month prior to the Convention. If granted, the President of the Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. will notify the requesting organization in writing.

Any member of the Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. has the authority to determine whether a party is in compliance with the established regulations. Any person who is found to be in violation of the stated policies will be required to comply. Failing compliance, the offending party will be asked to leave the Convention and may be escorted from the premises by Convention security.

The Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc. encourages those with questions regarding this policy to contact the Club via the Stellafane web page (http://Stellafane.org). During the Convention, any questions regarding this policy, the appropriateness of items being displayed, or any information being disseminated, should be directed to a member of the Springfield Telescope Makers, Inc.

Saturday Evening Program & Keynote Talk

Sat 7:00 pm - Amphitheater (Flanders Pavilion if rain)Includes Keynote, Shadowgram, Raffle & Awards

The evening program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Saturday in the hillside amphitheater. (In case of inclement weather, the program will be held inside the Flanders Pavilion). Mario Motta, of the Springfield Telescope Makers, will be master of ceremonies.

  • Greetings, announcements, Raffle Drawings
  • Stellafane Shadowgram by Dr. Kristine Larsen: Holding up Half the Sky: Women in Astronomy
  • Presentation of Telescope Competition Awards
  • Stellafane Keynote by Dava Sobel: Building the Glass Universe

— Telescope Competition —

Telescope Competition

Fri 5:00 pm - 8:00 pmClubhouseOptical and Mechanical Registration
Fri 10:00 pm - Fields around ClubhouseOptical Competition Begins
Sat 8:00 am - 9:30 amClubhouseMechanical (and Optical if needed) Registration
Sat 10:00 am - 1:00 pmFields around ClubhouseMechanical Competition
Sat 10:00 pm - Fields around ClubhouseOptical Competition (Only if not held Friday)

Details are on the Telescope Competition Page

— Telescope Making —

Telescope Making Demo

Fri 10:00 am - 4:00 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesOrg. by M. Hayes & R. PredmoreATM Demo Hours
Fri 10:00 am - 10:30 amTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Read PredmoreIntro & Rough Grinding
Fri 10:30 am - 11:00 amTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Rick HunterFine Grinding
Fri 11:00 am - 11:30 amTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by TBDMaking Dental Stone Tools
Fri 11:30 am - 12:00 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Phil RounsevilleMaking Pitch Laps
Fri 1:00 pm - 1:45 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Dick ParkerPolishing & Figuring
Fri 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesWith Dave Kelly & Doug ArionTesting (Bring your own mirror)
Sat 10:00 am - 5:00 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesOrg. by M. Hayes & R. PredmoreATM Demo Hours
Sat 10:00 am - 10:30 amTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Read PredmoreIntro & Rough Grinding
Sat 10:30 am - 11:00 amTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Mike HayesFine Grinding
Sat 11:00 am - 11:30 amTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by TBDMaking Dental Stone Tools
Sat 11:30 am - 12:00 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Phil RounsevilleMaking Pitch Laps
Sat 1:00 pm - 1:45 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Dick ParkerPolishing & Figuring
Sat 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmTent by T-Shirt SalesPresented by Glenn JacksonDobsonian Basics

This is a HANDS-ON mirror making demonstration - Gain first-hand experience working on mirrors at every stage of grinding, polishing and testing. Experienced ATMs will help explain each step of the process and answer any questions you may have.

Bring your own mirror for testing between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on Friday - 12½-inch Max Diameter.

The 24" mirror we have been working on for several years will be available for grinding - please sign the log book when you work on it.

The ATM demo schedule is being finalized and details will be added shortly.

— Beginners Talks —

I Want to Believe: Returning to an Age of Reason

Fri 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresented by Dean Regas

After 20 years of public speaking at the Cincinnati Observatory, Dean Regas has heard every astronomy conspiracy theory and doomsday prediction in the universe – and frankly, he’s worried. He’s worried that we are slipping into an age of growing superstition. In this rational, often humorous lecture, Dean tackles such controversial topics as: The Mayan Calendar, Moon landing, UFO sightings, Doomsday Comets, Astrology, and the Star of Bethlehem. The truth is out there and Dean shows why it is important to confront superstitions head-on and how you can champion a new age of reason.

Introduction to Stellafane

Sat 10:00 am - 11:00 amFlanders PavilionPresented by Kim & Dennis Cassia

Are you familiar with these terms: “The Pink”, “Tent Talks” or “The Turret”? If not, if this is your first time attending the Stellafane Convention, or if you are returning and want to learn more about who the Springfield Telescope Makers are, as well as what is going on during the Convention, then this presentation is for you. Topics include, but are not limited to: A short history of Stellafane, a description of our site, including the buildings and landmarks, descriptions of the scheduled talks and activities, services available at Stellafane, local services off site, etc., in addition to answering any questions you may have about the Convention.

Solar System Walk

Fri 12:30 pm - 1:30 pmMeet at M44 (Green Shed) behind ClubhouseRoger Williams
Sat 12:30 pm - 1:30 pmMeet at M44 (Green Shed) behind ClubhouseRoger Williams

To illustrate the vast size of outer space, the Springfield Telescope Makers have constructed a scale model of the solar system, based on the Sun being 12 inches in diameter. At that scale, the Earth would be approximately 1/10 of an inch in diameter and 107 feet from the Sun. Jupiter would be 1.2 inches in diameter and approximately 560 feet from the Sun.

The “Solar System Walk” begins behind the Pink Clubhouse and proceeds down the road going towards the Stellafane camping area. At the appropriate distance from the scale model of the Sun, there are stations with the appropriate planet, built to scale, and a short description of each planet. The Solar System walk can be taken on your own at any time during the Convention. However, a guided walk is available at the times mentioned above, when a docent will provide additional information about the “Solar System Walk” and each particular planet. The walk takes approximately ¾ of an hour, if you walk all the way to the planet Neptune, with a total distance of 3,232 feet or a little over ½ of a mile.

Telescope Field Walk

Sat 11:30 am - 12:30 pmMeet at Front of ClubhouseLed by David McGaw

During the “Telescope Field Walk” an experienced Amateur Telescope Maker will guide small groups through the fields around the Pink Clubhouse, where the telescopes that will be participating in the mechanical competition will be set up. They will describe the various types of optical designs and mounting configurations that will be on display, point out the subtle details that go into award winning telescopes and be available to answer your questions.

— Intermediate Talks —

The New Generation of Materials for Telescope Building: 3D Printing

Fri 11:00 am - 12:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresented by Doug Arion

Additive machining - 3D printing - represents a revolution in telescope making. Its importance ranges from the ability to make custom-fit parts to the huge cost reduction in making components that will help people afford telescopes. From mirror mounts to secondary holders, focusers, finder brackets, and electronics boxes, there is little in the structure of a telescope where 3D printing can't apply.

Armchair Astronomy: A New Twist on the Polar Equatorial Telescope

Fri 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmFlanders PavilionKevin McCarthy

In this presentation, a new approach to the venerable tradition of fixed eyepiece viewing will be described. Ease of use, no setup, and observer comfort have always been important, no less so as we age. In the "Quad-Plex, Tropical Polar Single-Mirror Siderostat-Heliostat-Spectroscope", aka, "Armchair Astronomy", any of four optical instruments index into the beam path of a 9-inch minor axis optical flat, which is mounted on a ten foot high truss tower to the south of one of our villas on the Caribbean island of St. John, USVI. The instruments are all comfortably arranged for viewing at a leather armchair in the loft of the great room, with Baader TurboFilm preventing convection through the loft shutter's aperture. During the day, solar observation and imaging is performed in white light, Hydrogen Alpha, and Calcium K, while at night, a TMB 130 mm f/6 triplet APO and Intes Micro 7-inch f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain provide wide field and high magnification viewing and imaging, respectively. This talk will also briefly touch upon some other projects here: maximizing ease of use for a commercial 24-inch Dob on a two-axis equatorial platform, building an automated "roll-under" imaging observatory, and an elegant equatorial sundial inspired by a Stellafane visit long ago.

Operation Moonwatch: Citizen Science at the Dawn of the Space Age

Fri 3:00 pm - 4:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresented by Richard Sanderson

Richard Sanderson will discuss Operation Moonwatch, a worldwide citizen-science program that was active during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Teams comprised mostly of amateur astronomers and ordinary people made critically important observations of Sputnik and other early satellites. Richard will illustrate his presentation with photos of historical items from his Operation Moonwatch collection.

Nights of Future Passed

Fri 4:00 pm - 5:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresented by Phil Harrington

This is not your grandparents’ hobby! This presentation takes a poignant, sometimes comical, look back at how far our hobby and our equipment advanced in the 20th century. We will also look at how the rise of amateur telescope making influenced the commercial telescope marketplace forever.

Introducing the AAVSO Instrument and Equipment and AAVSONet Sections

Sat 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresented by Peter Bealo

Most of AAVSO deals with observation and analysis of variable stars. The AAVSO I&E section works with people designing and manufacturing equipment to make observations easier, more reliable, more automated or that allow for observations previously difficult to achieve. We will discuss ongoing I&E projects, the I&E Forum and how I&E members can help you develop your new idea. AAVSONet is a worldwide network of automated telescopes that AAVSO members have access to for the purposes of collecting photometric observations of variable stars and exoplanets. We’ll discuss the network, some current work being produced and how to propose new observing projects.

Two Years Work on a U.N. Committee for International Cooperation on Light Pollution

Sat 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresented by Mario Motta
Dr. Mario Motta spearheaded two widely read AMA white papers on light pollution. The papers were produced by the AMA Council on Science and Public Health, and changed the way lighting companies approach street lighting. In 2020 Mario was asked to join the United Nations “Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space” (COPUOS), under the sponsorship of Spain and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), whose mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all of its aspects through international cooperation. COPUOS was to address worldwide light pollution as well as satellite proliferation, radio noise, and more. COPUOS produced a 296-page report now submitted to the U.N. General Assembly. That report is the subject of this talk. Mario will also report on the European-wide meeting “Responsible Outdoor Lighting At Night” (ROLAN 2022) held in May of 2022, at which 31 world-renowned speakers presented, including Dr. Motta.

— Advanced Talks —

Observations of Nova RS Ophiuchi by Slitless Spectroscopy

Sat 11:00 am - 12:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresent by Clifton Ashcraft

I obtained both slitless spectra and magnitude estimates during the August 8, 2021 outburst of recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi. My observations covered the period from August 13, 4 days after discovery, to October 31 when it had subsided close to pre-outburst magnitude. Magnitude estimates were made by comparison to known brightness field stars in wide field images taken with an ASI174MC camera at the focus of a 55 mm camera lens. Spectra were obtained using an ASI178MM CMOS video camera with the sensor located 74 mm behind a 100 line/mm transmission grating and at the f/11 focus of a 14” Celestron SCT. Initial spectra were dominated by Hydrogen emission lines, with Helium, Oxygen and Iron emission lines becoming more prominent as the nova decreased in brightness. These changes in both spectra and magnitudes were very similar to those of the previous outburst in 2006.

Building a CNC Router and Using It for Telescope Making

Sat 3:00 pm - 4:00 pmFlanders PavilionPresent by Alexander Varakin

You will learn how to build a CNC router with 28"x34"x5" work envelope for less than $1000 and use it for various telescope making projects. The projects presented will be a 15-inch hexapod Dobsonian and rough grinding of a telescope mirror.

The Hidden Gems of Stellafane

Sat 4:00 pm - 5:30 pmFlanders PavilionPresent by Larry Mitchell

Larry will talk about the objects on the 2022 Stellafane Observing Olympics list, and will present some of the latest published technical information that has resulted in contradictory theories.

Details are on the Observing Olympics Page

— Workshops & Seminars —

Hartness House Workshop

Thu 8:30 am - 5:00 pmHartness HouseHosted by Tom SpirockWorkshop (Separate Registration)
Thu 6:00 pm - 9:00 pmHartness HouseHosted by Tom SpirockDinner (Separate Registration)
Workshop and Dinner information is here. Separate registration and fees apply.

— Children & Teen Events —

Astronomy Activities for Children

Fri 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmMcGregor ObservatoryThe SunAges 5-12; Limited to first 15
Sat 11:00 am - 12:00 pmMcGregor ObservatoryStar Clocks and Star FindersAges 5-12; Limited to first 15
Sat 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmMcGregor ObservatoryComets and MeteoritesAges 5-12; Limited to first 15

There will be three 1-hour astronomy workshops for children; each session has a different activity. These astronomy workshops have been held at the Stellafane Convention since 1995. Led by Dr. Kristine Larsen, Professor of Astronomy at Central Connecticut State University and a member of the Springfield Telescope Makers, each of the three 1-hour workshops includes several activities geared for children ages 5 - 12.Younger children are welcome but will need help from a parent.

Due to space limitations, each workshop is limited to 15 children on a first-come basis. Late-comers may be turned away.

Teen Robotics Program

Fri 1:00 pm - 5:00 pmBunkhousePresented by Paul Fucile and Eimear GallagherTeens 12-17

The Stellafane Teen program participants this year will learn about the mission and technology behind the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Launched on the morning of December 25, 2021, the spacecraft coasted successfully into a stable orbit around Lagrange Point 2. Present operations involve precisely aligning the 18 mirror segments with the first Science images scheduled to appear this summer. Designed to perform infrared astronomy, a multi-layer heatshield will keep the instruments cool permitting a view deeper into space than before.

This will be a hands-on class where the group will work in teams to construct a JWST inspired technology that will be demonstrated at the Convention. Attendance will be first-come first-served. If you are 100% sure your teen will attend convention and will want to attend this event, then you’ll need to get them on the list. Please email us directly at robots@stellafane.org. Special note: There will be a lot of specialized instruction so you will need to be on time!

Horseshoe Pitching Contest

Fri 1:00 pm - Swap Table AreaHosted by Wayne Zuhl16 and under / Weather Permitting

Held in the Swap Table Area on Friday starting at 1:00 PM (Weather Permitting) for children age 16 and under. The overall winner of the event will win a telescope that they will assemble with 'Stargazer' Steve Dodson in the Pavilion Saturday morning. This year the kit is being donated by Peter Bealo. Complete information and rules (pdf)

— Observing —

Solar Observing Hour

Fri 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmObserving FieldsPlease set up your Solar Scope and Share
Sat 2:00 pm - 3:00 pmObserving FieldsPlease set up your Solar Scope and Share
All attendees with solar filters or projection set-ups are encouraged to share the Sun with other attendees. The Simoni and Porter Turret observatories will be set up for solar observing as well.

Observing Olympics

Thu 8:30 pm - 12:00 amObserving FieldsCoordinated by Eileen MyersTelescopes & Binoculars
Fri 8:30 pm - 12:00 amObserving FieldsCoordinated by Eileen MyersTelescopes & Binoculars
Sat 8:30 pm - 12:00 amObserving FieldsCoordinated by Eileen MyersTelescopes & Binoculars
Sun 10:30 am - 11:30 amHillside below McGregorCoordinated by Eileen MyersAward Pins Only
Observing Olympics: Dusk to Midnight or later depending on observing conditions.
See the Observing Olympics Page for details and observing lists.

Cook Spectrohelioscope

Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pmSimoni ObservatorySolar ObservingWeather Permitting
Sat 8:00 am - 5:00 pmSimoni ObservatorySolar observingWeather Permitting
The circa 1930 Cook Spectrohelioscope will be observing solar prominences and sunspots in hydrogen-alpha light. The Simoni Observatory is northwest of the Stellafane Clubhouse on Breezy Hill.

Porter Turret Telescope

Thu 9:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
Fri 9:00 am - 6:00 pmOpen, Solar ObservingWeather Permitting
Fri 8:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
Sat 8:00 am - 6:00 pmOpen, Solar ObservingWeather Permitting
Sat 9:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
The 1930 Porter Turret Telescope is located just north of the clubhouse on Breezy Hill.

McGregor Observatory

Thu 9:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
Fri 10:00 am - 4:00 pmOpen, Solar ObservingWeather Permitting
Fri 8:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
Sat 8:00 am - 6:00 pmOpen, Solar ObservingWeather Permitting
Sat 9:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
The McGregor Observatory, home of the 13-inch Schupmann Refractor, is located on a hilltop in the northwest corner of Stellafane East.

Breuning Observatory (Domed Observatory)

Fri 2:00 pm - 6:00 pmOpen
Fri 9:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
Sat 2:00 pm - 6:00 pmOpen
Sat 9:00 pm - 12:00 amObservingWeather Permitting
The domed Breuning Observatory is located just south of and downhill from the McGregor Observatory.

— Events for Everyone —

Friday Evening Videos

Fri 6:30 pm - 7:30 pmFlanders PavilionAstronomy documentaries for the whole family

Short astronomy documentaries for the whole family.

Convention Cleanup

Sun 8:00 am - 12:00 pmPlease clean up around your campsitePlease put trash in the dumpsters

Please clean up around your campsite and parking area. All trash should be deposited in one of the large dumpsters by the Food Tent or Exit Lane. Please make sure there are no obstacles to grass mowing in the fields - any rocks, stakes, or other hazards should be returned to the woods or taken to the dumpsters. If you would like to take down rebar and string, we would appreciate that. Pile rebar and string on the side of the road, where it will be easy for us to find and pick up. Thank you very much for making Convention cleanup easier on all of us.

— Museum Open —

Hartness-Porter ATM Museum Open

Fri 4:00 pm - 6:00 pmHartness HouseHosted by Matt Considine, Curator
Sun 9:00 am - 12:00 pmHartness HouseHosted by Matt Considine, Curator
The Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making is located in the underground rooms at the Hartness House Inn. Admission is free. Follow the signs in town to the Hartness House at 30 Orchard Street of VT-143 (Map). Many of the items on display are by or about Russell W. Porter, including the Springfield and Garden telescopes. His artwork traces his arctic exploration years to his work on the 200" Palomar telescope, culminating in his famous cutaway drawings. Other items of interest include early telescopes and mirror making parts.

— Operating Hours —

Large RV Permit Holders must arrive

Thu 12:00 pm - 4:00 pmEntry GatePlease don't arrive before Noon!
Large RVs have to be pre-registered, and must arrive between Noon and 4PM on Thursday. Do not arrive early. We have large trucks making food deliveries and installing sanitation facilities before then.

Early Entry Permit Holders can arrive

Thu 3:00 pm - 10:00 pmEntry GatePlease don't arrive before 3:00!
Please do not arrive before 3:00 PM and do not park on Jordan Road. The large RV's come in before you, starting at noon. You will not be admitted before 3:00 PM, and our gate staff is busy getting the RV's safely in place.

Registration Gate

Fri 8:00 am - Entry GateGate Opens
Fri 10:00 pm - Entry GateGate Closes
Sat 7:00 am - Entry GateGate Opens
The hours of operation of the Registration Gate.

Shuttle Bus Operates

Fri 10:00 am - 6:00 pmBus StopsBus Stops: Pine Island, Food Tent, Pink Clubhouse
Sat 9:00 am - 5:00 pmBus StopsBus Stops: Pine Island, Food Tent, Pink Clubhouse
The Shuttle Bus makes two stops in Stellafane East, one by the Food Tent and one by the main Camping Area (See Stellafane East Site Map (pdf)). It makes one stop on Breezy Hill near the Clubhouse.

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