Date: May 28-30, 1999
Attendance: 1,647
This year had a full Moon so "The Moon" was chosen as the theme. Emphasis was placed on high-resolution lunar and planetary observing. On Friday night we had our now traditional Show and Tell and short subject sessions.
The use of panel discussion groups was expanded with 10 panels convening this year. These panels contained some of the top amateur astronomers in their respective fields.
The Keynote Speaker was Harrison Schmitt, one of the last men to walk on the Moon and the only scientist to go to the Moon.
The weather was, as usual, generally favorable except for a Saturday night wind storm that knocked down a few canopies and tents.
Speakers
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Mike Reynolds, "Chabot Observatory" |
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Ernie Williams, "Songs of the Planets" |
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Lee Coombs, "Use of Refractors for High Resolution Lunar Photography" |
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Bob Garfinkle, "Observing Lunar Dark Haloed Craters" |
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Steve Edberg, "Non-Prediction for the 1999 Leonid Meteors" |
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John Westfall, "Mercury Grazers the Sun" |
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Steve Edberg, "Observing Tips for the Mercury Transit" |
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Gary Seronick, "Little Victories - Optimizing a Newtonian Reflector for Lunar & Planetary Observing" |
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Alan Adler, "Converting Spheroid Mirrors in Paraboloids" |
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Harrison Schmitt, Keynote Speaker |
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Jack Sales, "Your Dark Sky Insurance" |
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Lee Coombs, "Use of Small Newtonians for Deep Space Astrophotography" |
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Chris Schur, "Digitized Schmidt Astrophotography from Arizona" |
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Don Pensack, "Observer's Special Techniques, Beyond Messier & NGC" |
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Douglas George, "Optimizing Your CCD Imaging System" |
Workshops
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Lunar & Planetary Observing, Moderator: Don Parker |
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Roll Off Roof Observatories, Moderators: Jim Leonard & Doug Miller |
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Eyepiece Selection, Moderator: Alson Wong |
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Beginning Telescope Selection, Moderator: Allen Hall |
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Deep Sky Observing, Moderator: Tom Polakis |
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Astrophotography, Moderator: Chris Schur |
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The Observer's Buffet - Discovering SNE, Comets & Asteroids, Moderator: Wayne Johnson (Mr. Galaxy) |
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Computer Workshop, Moderator: Jeff Medkeff |
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Amateur Telescope Making, Moderator: Randy Johnson |
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Telescope Makers Telescope Tour, Host: Randy Johnson |
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CCD Imaging/Image Processing, Moderator: Tom Bisque |
Merit Awards
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Dan Gray, "Outstanding Integration of a Computer Controlled Telescope" |
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Larry Owings, "Well Designed and Executed Astrographic Mount" |
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Kurt Sutton, "Versatile Digital Mirror Testing Apparatus" |
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Jim Hannum & Dave Radosevich, "Outstanding Wood Craftsmanship" |
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Allan Guthmiller, "Excellent Mechanical Design" - 20" English Yoke Newtonian |
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Dean Ketelsen, "Solid Astrographic Guidescope System" |
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Ron Mallory, "Clever Implementation of an Inexpensive Equatorial Drive" |
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Dave Rowe, "Superb Complete Astrographic Instrument" |
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Don Clement, "Innovative Design of a Moving Mirror Focuser" |
Honorable Mentions
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Jay and Scott Marsh, "Well-Built First Telescope" |
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Allen Hall, "Homemade Refractor Optical System" |
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Alan Adler, "Work in Progress - Computer Program to Analyze Flexed Spherical Mirrors" |
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Scott Berfield, "Woodworking Craftsmanship" |
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Rick Shaffer, "Conceptual Design of an Astronomer's Ladder" |
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William Seavey |
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Steven Overholt, "Teflon Glued to Rubber Mat to Replace Ground Board" |
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Jack Marling |
