David Gedahlia stands behind his computer controlled 10" Dobsonian for which he
received a Merit Award

Robert Pfaff's received a Merit Award
for his fork mounted 17" Newtonian

Luis Ashelford received an Honorable
Mention for his restored 4" Clark Refractor

Dr. Janet Mattei speaking on the AAVSO

David Trott received an Honorable Mention
for his modified Poncet platform

Ron Hill with part of his Observing System

Ron Hill received a Merit Award for his 17.5" Newtonian and Observing Table

Leonard McVicker received a Merit Award
for his ball-socket 10"
- mounted in a terrarium!

David Wile with his light weight uniquely conceived 16" single fork alt-az mount

Chris Schur with his Merit Award receiving 17.5" Newtonian

Attendance: Approximately 2,340

With the New Moon, this was the largest year we have ever had (and likely ever will have). The facilities at Camp Oakes were somewhat exceeded and future limits on attendance would be put in place.

Part of the reason for the large crowd was also the visit of Clyde Tombaugh. He autographed books in front of the Meeting Hall on Saturday and Sunday Afternoons and gave a talk on Sunday morning.

Our Keynote Speaker this year was Dr. Janet Mattei, the Director of the AAVSO who spoke about the contributions of amateur astronomers to science.

On a sad note, this year's conference was dedicated to the memory of Pat Michaud, the former Merit Awards Committee Chairman, who passed away in March 1987 and Don Rohe of the IAPPP who passed away in September 1986.

With the availability of home computers, computerization began to take root on the telescope field. One of the most impressive telescopes with David Gedahlia's compute- controlled 10" F/4.5 Dobsonian which was controlled by an Atari 800XL computer. This was one of the first GOTO amateur mounts using stepper motors to drive the telescope to its objects. All this for under $200.

Jeff Schroeder had remounted his giant 11" refractor on an altazimuth carriage on the top of his station wagon. It can only rise to an altitude of 63 degrees, but he has gotten more use out of it in 2 years than the previous ten years combined.

Speakers:

• Dr. Robert Chambers, "The 40 Inch Telescope at Table Mountain"
• Tom Dorff, "Lockwood Valley Observing Site of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society"
• Bob Schalck, "What! Another Newtonian Design"
• Ken Morris, "There is More to Binoculars than Meets the Eye"
• Art Leonard, "The Solano Telescope, a New Unobstructed Reflector"
• Denni Medlock, "Fremont Peak Observatory"
• Richard Hill, "The Construction of a 10-1/2 Inch Telescope"
• Marvin Vann, "That Comet in Mexico"
• John Griese III, "Observations of Super Nova 1987A From the South Pacific"
• Leo Vanderbyl, "Techniques for Large Optics for the Amateur"
• Dr. Janet Mattei, "Contributions of Amateur Astronomers of Space Research"
• Dr. Clyde Tombaugh, "The Discovery of the Planet Pluto"
• Gene Lucas, "Dewing, What it is and What to do About it"
• Burt Patterson, "Video Imaging with CCD's and the O.C.A. 22 Inch Telescope"
• Tom Quinn, "Stepper Control System"
• Jeffrey R. Charles, "All Sky Hubcap Reflector with Invisible Camera Support"
• Richard Berry, "Telescopes - Handy Hints and Ideas"
• Chris Schur, "Astrophotography with Konica SR1600, Facts and Fantasy"
• Kim Zussman, "A Drive Corrector with a Hand Warmer"
• Hal Jandorf, "A Simple Star Tracker for Astrophotography"
• Hal Jandorf and Randy Walker, "The Lighter Side of Astrophotography"
• Ben Mayer, "Shooting Stars from L.A."
• Jack Newton, "Astrophotography, the Whole Bit"

Merit Award Winners:

• David Gedalia, Excellent Computer Telescope Control - 10" Computer Controlled Dobsonian
• Chris Schur, Excellent Lightweight Tube Application - 16" F/4.5 Newtonian
• David Wile, Unique Lightweight Telescope Structure - 16" Open Frame Telescope on Bicycle Wheel Mount
• Ronald Hill, Craftsmanship and Design Integration - 17.5" Dobsonian and observing desk
• Robert Pfaff, Outstanding Craftsmanship - 17.5" Newtonian
• Leonard McVicker, Good Design Application - 10" F/5 Sperical Mount
• Steve Collett, Good Craftsmanship Using Simple Tools - 12.5" Dobsonian made from Birch Plywood

Honorable Mentions:

• Luis Ashelford, Excellent Restoration Work - 4" Alvan Clark Refractor
• Jeff Carmack, Effective Dobsonian Craftsmanship - 17.5" Dobsonian
• Ben Morgan, Good Effort in Modified Mounting - 4" Refractor
• Dave Trott, Good Poncet Platform Modification
• Robert Ferguson, Telescopes for Youths Program - 5.5" Newtonian
• Kenneth Applegate, Innovative Use of Design Concepts - 10" F/5.6
• Allen Takahashi, Innovative Portable Telescope System - 6" F/4

Warren Estes Award:

J. Winford Tucker - Fold out Binocular Chair

Cliff Holmes Award:

Clyde Tombaugh

Cliff Holmes, Clyde Tombaugh and David Levy

Donald Rothman with his 6" F/5 refractor-binoculars