2008 News (Scroll down for Events)

• The Date of the 2009 Stellafane Convention has Changed
  [2008-Oct-06] The 2009 Stellafane Convention has been moved one week earlier to begin Thursday, August 13 through Sunday, August 16. It had previously been set begin on August 20. The letter below from our president explains the reason for this change:

  Dear Friends of Stellafane,
  
  The 2009 Annual Stellafane Convention will be held on Breezy Hill from August 13-16. Because this represents a departure from our usual pattern, an explanation is in order. The July Solar Eclipse was expected to present considerable competition, including the absence of several members with key convention roles. Other dates in July were inauspicious. The next new moon on August 20th conflicts with early school openings and the weather often turns brisk. More importantly, it coincides with Agricultural Fairs so food vendors are unavailable. The Springfield Telescope Makers recognize that the rising of the waning crescent will impact deep sky observing after midnight. We hope that our loyal Stellafane attendees will understand the unusual circumstances that have forced this compromise.
  
  Sincerely,
  John Gallagher
  President, Springfield Telescope Makers

• Star Party was a Success!
  [2008-Sep-23] The Stellafane Open House and Up All Night Star Party was blessed with two nights of good weather and we had a strong turnout on both nights. Besides having the Porter Turret Telescope and McGregor Observatory operating, many members brought their own telescopes so visitors had a good selection of instruments to look through. While many objects were viewed, Jupiter was well positioned and proved to be a favorite with many guests who had not seen a planet through telescope before. Thanks to all the many members who organized and helped out with this fine event.
• Up All Night Star Party Saturday September 19 & 20
  
  
  Star Party Flier
  [2008-Aug-17] Stellafane will be holding a public Open House and "Up All Night" Star Party (viewing through telescopes) on September 19 & 20 from 7:00 PM on into the night. Admission is free. If you have ever wanted to look at stars, planets, nebula and galaxies through a telescope, please join us on Breezy Hill for as long or short a time as you would like.
  
  In the event of inclement weather occurs on the evening of the event, we will have a message on (603)863-3975 of a Go/No Go. We hope to see everyone on on September 19th or 20th.
  
  Get Directions to Stellafane by clicking this link.
  
  [2008-Sep-09] The flier for this star party is now available online; click the image at right to see a large version.
• Mike Mattei wins Walter Scott Houston Award
  
  
  Mike Mattei
  [2008-Jul-03] It is my great pleasure to announce that, by unanimous vote of the NERAL Executive Committee, this year's Walter Scott Houston Award of the North East Region of the Astronomical League (NERAL) is being awarded to Mike Mattei of Littleton, MA at this year's Stellafane Convention in Springfield, Vermont on Saturday evening, August 2, 2008.
  
  Mike Mattei has been an active observer for many decades and a member of ALPO and AAVSO. He worked at Harvard Observatory's Agassiz Station (now Oak Ridge Obs.), and met his future wife (Dr. Janet Akyuz Mattei 1943 -2004) at AAVSO. He became very active in optics and amateur telescope making, and later went professional, specializing in the fabrication of aspherical optics at Space Optics Research Labs, and Optical Systems and Technology Inc (O.S.T.I.). There he worked on optics for space exploration such as an Ultraviolet Telescope for Goddard Space Flight Center. Eventually Mike was asked to join the staff at Lincoln Labs to work on special Government 'Star Wars' projects using Laser Imaging Optical Radar Systems. He also worked at MIT's Wallace Astrophysical Observatory. He taught courses at University of Hawaii and spoke at local club events Mike is possibly best known for his hundreds of nights teaching beginners the art and craft of mirror making at the ATMoB workshop in Westford, Massachusetts. He still works full time at Lincoln Labs, and continues to spend his nights searching for Novae for the AAVSO in his home-built observatory.
  
  We are very pleased to give this award to this innovative, self-educated man who took the time to pass on his knowledge to so many amateurs, while he worked alongside many professionals and researchers in astronomy.
  
  
  
  
  Congratulations, Mike!
  
  Very sincerely,
  Maryann Arrien, Chair: NERAL
  The North East Region of the Astronomical League
  845-528-7420   www.neral.org (recently updated!)
  
  NERAL Regional Representative Paul Valleli
  NERAL Vice Chairman: Jack Heinzmann
  NERAL Secretary Alan Rifkin
  NERAL Treasurer: Richard Roberts
  
• Joseph LaVigne memorial service at Stellafane
  
  
  Family & Friends honor
  Joseph LaVigne at Stellafane
  [2008-May-29] On Sunday May 25, 2008, the Springfield Telescope Makers hosted a memorial service for amateur telescope maker Joseph LaVigne, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 44. Before family and friends, Joe’s request was honored as his ashes were spread on Stellafane’s Observing Field. As a teen and young adult, Joe was a regular attendee at the Annual Convention and displayed his homemade reflector. He moved to Montana where he pursued astrophotography from his Weasel Creek Observatory. He authored the chapter “Imaging the Moon with an Astro-Video Camera” in Peter Wlasuk’s “Observing the Moon, A Practical Guide”, one of Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series.
  
• Stellafane Convention in Smithsonian Magazine
  [2008-May-15] The Stellafane Convention gets national exposure in the the June 2008 issue of Smithsonian magazine. In the regular short feature section "Points of Interest: Notable American Destinations and Happenings" the convention gets a quarter page write-up and is accompanied by a panoramic photo of the clubhouse area taken by long-time Stellafaner Phil Harrington. Check out our coverage on page 25.
• 2008 Convention Registration is now Open
  [2008-May-15] The 2008 Stellafane Convention, to be held July 31 to Aug 3 this year, is drawing ever closer. You can now browse program information and register online for this years convention. See the 2008 Stellafane Convention Page.
• Pavilion Fund now Accepting Monthly Donations
  [2008-Mar-11]
  
  The Pavilion in use at the 2006 Convention.
  The Springfield Telescope Makers are announcing a renewed fundraising drive for the Flanders Pavilion. Three years ago, the club took a big risk to take out a mortgage to get the construction of this important new convention facility underway. Clearly the pavilion has been great success, providing dry open space for convention activities that can be easily darkened for daytime presentations for the last two years.
  
  We currently have an $80,000 mortgage on the building, and to date have raised $15,000 in funds to pay it off, so we have a long way to go. We are certainly happy to accept donations of any size or amount, every dollar helps. We are now offering a monthly payment option - consider giving $10 per month to help cover the cost of this great new building. If 120 people gave $10 a month for 5 years, we would be able to pay of the mortgage. Many club members have already signed up for this option, please consider it yourself (some didn't want to have to deal with a monthly payment, so they made the equivalent one time payment of $120).
  
  Please see the main Flanders Pavilion fundraising page for more information about larger donations or pavers ($25 each with a plaque in the pavilion) or the new Monthly Fundraising page for details about this new way to give. Thank you very much for your support of the Flanders Pavilion and the Stellafane Convention.

Events Calendar (Scroll up for News)