Schedule of Events

Astroimagers are always striving to get that one great celestial image. But, why not expand our view and take two objects at the same time. Al Takeda will explore the realm of taking two different objects in the same field of view. He will show us some images of near and far objects and photos of pairings that may never happen again. Al will talk about how to frame the objects, and what equipment, and lenses to use. He will also describe each of the celestial targets. Al will demonstrate some of these imaging techniques in real time during the daytime from 3:00pm to 4:00pm on Friday only. The location will be next to the Breuning Observatory.

Are you interested in what's below your feet as well as what's up in the sky? If so, the land use hike is for you. We'll head out on a hike on the wooded roads of Stellafane East and talk about what happened on this land from about 1850 onward; who owned ti and what did they do here. The total length of the hike will probably only be about one mile, but the route is steep in places, and it will be over some rough, rocky ground. Hiking boots are recommended and be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks. If you need water and snacks for the hike they can be purchased from our food vendor. Meet your hike leader, George, at the Food Tent prior to 1:00pm so the hike can start on time.

Age 5-16 Drop in at any scheduled time to pick up your Clubhouse Treasure Hunt list from the Telescope Competition Registrar in the Clubhouse. Two lists will be available, one for ages 5-7 years old, and another for ages 8-16 years. Hunt in the Clubhouse for the items on the list at your own pace and return your completed Treasure Hunt list to the Telescope Competition Registrar for a small prize! Saturday Bonus - the Mechanical portion of the Telescope Competition will be occurring at the Clubhouse on Saturday at the same time! The judges will close the Clubhouse for deliberations during the Mechanical Competition, but it will most likely be open during the times scheduled for the Treasure Hunt.

Check out the Family & Youth Activities webpage to learn more.

All attendees with solar filters or projection set-ups are encouraged to share the Sun with other attendees

In around February this year, artificial intelligence "agents" made a huge leap forward in programming capabilities. Since then, after getting a subscription to Claude Pro, Charles very rapidly developed a half a dozen pet projects in computer programming. He will discuss the agentic leap, how to take advantage of it, plus some of his completed projects: (1) igram_finder, for speeding up data processing when using a Bath interferometer, (2) rewriting 15-year-old Arduino code to integrate a motorized focuser into his astrophotography software stack, (3) developing astrometry analysis code to measure the positions of stars with high proper motions, (4) guiding a complete rewrite and update of the venerable Plate Optimizer (PLOP) program for mirror cell design, and (5) "AP_Catalog", a web-based catalog of all my astrophotography images. He will focus on this and give a live demo to show what it can do and how it scratches his specific itches.

All Ages, no experience needed

Also open 9:00 am to Noon on Sunday

Mirror Testing with a Bath Interferometer - bring your own mirror up to 20 inches in diameter

Testing: Bring your own mirror

Give mirror grinding a try!

The domed Breuning Observatory is located just south of and downhill from the McGregor Observatory.

Weather Permitting - The McGregor Observatory, home of the 13-inch Schupmann Refractor, is located on a hilltop in the northwest corner of Stellafane East.

Ages 5 - 12 : Younger children are welcome but will need help from a parent. All about Saturn.

Since before humans walked upon the lunar surface, Richard Sanderson has been captivated by our closest celestial neighbor. Today, as Adjunct Curator of Physical Science at the Springfield Museums in Massachusetts, Rich shows off the Moon to visitors using the Science Museum’s 20-inch Fillmore Telescope. He also enjoys photographing the moon through his 6-inch refractor, using just an iPhone camera. Rich’s presentation will focus on techniques for iPhone photography through a telescope. He will then take us on a tour of some of the Moon’s most interesting geological wonders.

Have you ever wondered about how to become a member of the Springfield Telescope Makers (STM)? Stop by the historic pink Stellafane clubhouse for this presentation from two Full Members to learn what membership in STM is all about and find out what it takes to become a member of this historic organization.

Youthful adults, under 35-ish, should make their way up to the Stellafane Clubhouse to enjoy light refreshments and the company of other Stellafane fans and STEAM geeks. Share your story about what brought you to Stellafane and your interest in astronomy. Are you new to astronomy? Telescopes will be set up just outside the tent and Springfield Telescope Maker club members will be there for hands-on demonstrations of how to use a telescope for observing the night sky.

While astronomers had been using refractor telescopes for over 400 years, during the decades that followed World War II backyard observers suddenly had access to high-quality, and relatively affordable refracting telescopes. Made in Japan and marketed by a seemingly endless parade of U.S. companies, these telescopes became the mainstay until the Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope boom of the early 1980’s. This beginner to intermediate presentation will include a brief and certainly non-exhaustive history of these telescopes, tips on where they might be found today, and how to prepare them for their 21st Century “first light.” Feeling nostalgic? You’ll enjoy this presentation!

Test your knowledge of Astronomy and Stellafane in a trivia game designed exclusively for the Stellafane Convention. Prizes will be awarded!

Buy Tickets to attend with the Buy Tickets button. More info at https://www.stellafanevt.org/filmpremier

New this year! Join other Stellafane attendees ages 18-35-ish for an evening of fun as we wait for the sun to set.

Short presentations by Convention Attendees

Dusk to Midnight or later depending on observing conditions. See the Observing Olympics Page for details and observing lists.

Weather Permitting - The domed Breuning Observatory is located just south of and downhill from the McGregor Observatory.