Kevin Medlock with the Chabot Telescope Makers

A Telescope on the Telescope Field

Norman James' Spherical Telescope

Frank (left) and Tom Milsheimerwith their 6" F/4 camera and cassegrain guide scope

Attendance: Approximately 200:

This was an important year for the RTMC as it moves from the San Jacinto Mountains to Camp Oakes in the San Bernardino Mountains. This move was made necessary by increasing costs at Camp Isomata in Idyllwild.

Camp Oakes seemed ideally suited for the RTMC. A reasonable drive from the Southern California basin, it boasted dark skies, warm weather, large expanses of land to set up tents and telescopes on, a large Dining Hall, a pool and a lake. In addition, it had a large open field which many telescopes could be set up on.

As was their tradition in recent years, the Chabot Telescope Makers showed up en masse with many new and interesting telescopes. Sadly this was one of the last years they brought telescopes decroated with silver foiled tubes with names in the Star Trek tradition.

Fifty Telescopes including the 24" of the San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers were set up. A tour of the Big Bear Solar Observatory was also held.

Speakers:

• Dr. Frank Melsheimer, "Beginning Astrophotography with Fast Optical Systems"
• Jon van Gelder, "Digital Setting Circles"
• Clyde Tichenor, "Binocular Observing"
• James Brooks, "Engineering Aspects of Telescope Making"
• Malcolm Browne, "Fabricating Steel Tools for Grinding Mirrors"
• Joseph Hobart, "An Accurate and Versatile Invertor for Telescope Drives"
• Bill Hornaday and Bill Lancaster, "Construction of Juniper Park Observatory"
• Don Shricker, "Construction of a 10-Foot Domed Shelter"

Merit Awards (partial):

• David Erickson, 5" F/4 Wright-Schmidt

The Telescope Field