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Date: May 25-27, 2001
Attendance: 1,695

This year the Moon was between new and first quarter, setting before midnight on Friday and Saturday. In addition, the weather was again near-perfect for the whole weekend. During the day, it was sunny with a gentle breeze to lower the temperatures, while at night, the seeing was steady and the skies transparent. The views rivaled the legendary views from 1998.

This was the year we renamed the conference to the RTMC Astronomy Expo to better reflect the nature of the event. The art of telescope making is only one part of this get-together which has evolved to encompass multiple aspects of the hobby. This year's theme was “Deep Sky” and we had a rich assortment of speakers and workshops on the subject. Renowned photographer and visual observer Roger Clark gave the Keynote Address, titled "Visual Observing the 'National Parks' of the Deep Sky."

As usual, the RTMC had concurrent workshop sessions along with its now popular Beginners Corner. These workshops proved to be a rousing success with the tent for with the workshops packed to capacity.

Speakers

	Tom Polakis, “What to Look for at RTMC”
	John Dobson, “Deep Space: What is Behind It?”
	George Greaney, “Deep Sky Astrophotography Under Nevada Skies”
	Alan Adler and Bryan Greer, “Achieving High Resolution in Reflectors with Thermal Management”
	Dennis Mammana, “Top Ten Myths About Night Sky Photography”
	Allan Guthmiller, “The 20-Inch Cast Iron Wonder; A Gallery of the Heavens”
	Monsignor Ronald Royer, “The Stars Lead Everywhere: My Life, Ron Royer”
	Roger Clark, “Visual Observing the National Parks of the Deep Sky”
	Dale Mais, “Amateur Astronomical Spectroscopy”
	Peter Abrahams, “H. Dennis Taylor & the Design and Testing of Astronomical Instruments”
	Roger Clark, “The Most Important Optical System: Your Eyes: My Experiences with Retinal Detachments & Lasik Surgery”
	Kenneth Lum, “Bernard Schmidt – A Life in Optics”
	Babak Tafreshi, “Amateur Astronomy in Iran”
	John Hoot, “Mars Orbiter, O3 Lander & Amateur Observations”
	Rick Scott, “Lurie-Houghton Telescope as a First ATM Project”
	Rick Yessayian, “Telescopes in Education”

Workshops

	Eyepieces, Filters, and Other Accessories for Deep Sky Observing, Derek Wong, Moderator
	Science with your Telescope, Dave Kenyon, Moderator
	Astronomy 101 for Astronomy Widows, Carmelita Miranda, Moderator
	Beginning Telescope Selection, Dennis Bishop , Moderator
	Astrophotography – Film and CCD: Weighing the Options,  Wil Milan, Moderator
	Thermal Management in Reflectors, Alan Adler & Bryan Greer, Moderators

Merit Awards

	Alan Adler, Flex mirror telecope
	Larry Arnold, Craftsmanship on 12" telescope
	Hulan Fleming, Two scopes, Schiefspieglers
	Maggie Halberg, Excellent Craftsmanship, First telescope
	Mike Kavanaugh, Equatorial mount
	Gerry Logan, Refractor
	Gilbert Machin, Cassegrain telescope
	Robert Pfaff, Newtonian telescope
	James Ross, Excellent Craftsmanship, First telescope
	Mike Schartman, Observer’s chair
	Rick Scott
	Mike Spooner
	Charles Wicks, 20" Electric Newtonian telescope plus 6" travel scope
	Curt & Jan Wittenberg, 12.5" Dobsonian

Honorable Mentions

	Richard Andreassen, Unique shutter design
	Roger Ceragioli, Recycled glass refractor

Clifford W. Holmes Award

Scott Roberts

Warren Estes Award

Mark Briggs

Clyde Tombaugh Award

Tony and Daphne Hallas

An interested observer looks at an innovative design The Yard Scope Some of Allan Guthmiller's astrophotos on display next to his 20" Cast Iron Wonder Volunteers staffing the Information Booth Roll-off-roof observatory A view of the north end of the Telescope Field