Date: May 23-25, 1980
Attendance: 839
The 1980 RTMC started a couple more traditions. First, The Astronomy for America Award was renamed by Richard Poremba as the Clifford W. Holmes Award. It was given to Robert Cox for his lifetime contribution to amateur astronomy. The inscription read:
| We, your friends, fellow telescope enthusiasts, and amateur astronomers wish to recognize and express our warmest and sincerest appreciation for your outstanding contributions to the advancement of telescope making. You are one among many, yet as Orion so conspicuously stalks the Winter sky, your talents and your willingness to share with us shine brightly in our minds. We are very thankful. |
Also, this was the first of the eight-year cycle of snow storms. As it turned out, Big
Bear, California, at 20 degrees, was the coldest spot in the nation that weekend and we
had a dusting of snow from a late spring storm. Of such stuff legends are born. Although
it remained cold the rest of the weekend, it did clear enough to allow viewing on Saturday
and Sunday nights.
This was the second year for what Sky & Telescope has dubbed "the largest amateur astronomy swap meet in the world." I don't know if it is true, but it sure sounds good.
Speakers
|
Richard Berry, "How to Control Friction in a Dobsonian Telescope" |
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Steven R. Coe, "The Astrocamera" |
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Eugene Cross, "Limitations to Telescopic Performance" |
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Robert E. Cox, "Have Telescopes, Will Travel" |
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Steve Edberg, "Getting Started in Amateur Astrophotography" |
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David Levy, "A Telescope Farm" |
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Jack Marling, "Gas Hypersensitization of 35mm Black and White and Color Film" |
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Jack Marling, "Night Sky Pollution: Measurement, Evaluation, and reduction by Filter" |
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William Schramm, "Cleaning Optical Surfaces With Collodion" |
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Clyde L. Tichenor, "A Quantum Break in Observatory Costs" |
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Fred Tretta, "An Analysis of Telescope Mounts" |
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Robert E. Fischer, "Elements of Optical System Design" |
Merit Awards
|
Tom Greska - 3" f/10, Best Wooden Mounting |
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Ralph Parlette - 8" f/15 Cassegrain, Efficiency & Craftsmanship |
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Tom Scott - 12.5" f/3.85-f/25, Excellence in Workmanship |
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Orien Ernest - 8" f/5 Air-powered astrophotography system, Astrophotography Award |
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Wayne Kaaz - 10" f/8 Ritchey-Chretien, Innovative Design for Portability |
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Bob Webb - 10" f/4.8 Newtonian, Stability & Craftsmanship |
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Greg Burns - 6" f/8, Junior Award |
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James Schwartz - 4" folded refractor, Workmanship & Unique Design |
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Andrew Tomer - 12-1/2" f/15 trailer mounted Cassegrain, Unique Engineering |
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David Levy - 4" f/15 Mintaka, the "talking telescope," Innovative Idea |
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Jack Newton - Plastic cold camera, Craftsmanship & Application |
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Maynard Clark - 8" f/8, Excellent Craftsmanship |
|
Robert Cox |
|
Robert Minor |
