The Salt Lake Astronomical Society Presents
ALCON 2002
July 30 - August 3rd, 2002 - University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Updated August 1, 2002
ALCON 2002
July 30 - August 3rd, 2002 - University of Utah, Salt Lake City
Updated August 1, 2002
The 55th annual Astronomical League National Convention (ALCON) was held at the University of Utah campus Olpin Union Building, and hosted by the Salt Lake Astronomical Society. The conference sessions were conducted by experienced amateurs and professionals who offered the benefit of their practical experience to over 150 participants. No effort was spared or overlooked in providing a most enjoyable and memorable astronomical experience. The event was a chance to share thoughts, ideas and comraderie among ardent amateur astronomers from all over the country.
The AstroDay Institute is now a member of the Astronomical League and the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). We are looking forward to collaborations that will bring quality astronomy related programs and events to the Big Island. The AstroDay Institute's first project will be to bring Dr. David Crawford of the IDA to Hilo to talk about preserving Hawaii's dark skies early 2003.
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Subaru Telescope display information and pictures
The Subaru Telescope display was designed in an attempt to offer as much information to viewers without overwhelming them with clutter or TMI (Too Much Information). It drew a lot of attention from conventioneers and local visitors. Almost every attendee and vendor have stopped by the Subaru booth to find out more about the telescope, Mauna Kea, future development controversy and a career in astronomy (from many young adults from local high schools). Organizers were appreciative of Subaru Telescope's participation in this premier amateur astronomy event and hope this starts a tradition for future convention appearances.
The very popular Subaru Telescope Display panel and table at the ALCON convention before the crowds came
Ken Harris, Ken Warner, Andy Bogden of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, hosts of ALCON 2002
Ryan Hannahoe, Jackie Beucher (AL secretary, Bob Gent (AL president), Jen Winter
Art Lucas of the International Occultation Timing Association with his tools of the trade
International Darkskies Association President Dr. David Crawford
Thomas Bisque of Software Bisque in front of his Paramount 1100 mount
Thomas Mathis, creator of Voyager Software with wife Marilyn and son Andy
Gary with Mike Bennet of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Dr. David Malin, formerly with the Anglo-Australian Observatory talking shop with Gary
Front row:Boyd, Siegfried, Bruce, Gary Back row: Dave, Annie, Daniel, Ron, Ken of Salt Lake Astronomical Society
Group picture of most of the participants in ALCON 2002
Peter and Glenn from Main Sequence Software with their new prerelease of Desktop Universe
There were 23 vendors plying their wares and dispensing information including major hardware manufacturers Meade Instruments Corp, Apogee Instruments; software publishers Carina Software, Software Bisque and Main Sequence Software; publications Astronomy Magazine and Sky and Telescope Magazine; and astronomical organizations like Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), International Darkskies Association (IDA), International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA), Astronomical League (AL), and hosts Salt Lake Astronomical Society (SLAS).
Convention center and Speakers
The convention was held in the Olpin Union Building on the campus of the University of Utah. Speakers gave presentations in four different rooms, at times concurrently with other lectures and workshops, making decisions as to which one to attend somewhat difficult. Gary attended the following talks:
• Cosmic Radiation: Mystery at the Energy Frontier, Dr. Kai Martens
• CCD Camera Technology, Wayne Brown - Pres. Apogee Instruments
• A New Map of the Distribution of Galaxies and Quasars: The Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Dr. Richard Kron
• Art and Science in Astronomy, Dr. David Malin
• Inherit the Stars, Carolyn Collins Peterson
• Cosmology, Telescope Making, John Dobson
• Ground Based High Energy Gamma-Rays: The New Astronomy, Dr. David Kieda
• Cosmic Orphans: Finding Our Place in the Universe, David Eicher
Dr. Richard Blakley speaking about Optical designs for CCD imaging
Kelly Beatty of Sky Publishing talking about Professional-Amateur Collaborations in astronomy today
Gary with John Dobson, the inventor of the dobsonian mount
The original sidewalk astronomer holding court. Is Scott captivated or sceptical here?
The SLAS (Salt Lake Astronomical Society) held a star party at Stansbury Park Observing Complex (II) located 26 miles outside of Salt Lake City to see and use SLAS and SLAS members' telescopes and enjoy a tour of Utah's night skies. Although Salt Lake City's skies are always awash with light pollution, Stansbury Park was relatively dark and cloud free this night much to the delight of the 20-30 people age six to sixty who attended. This reporter can recall only about 10 minutes of actual 'sky time' - most of the night was spent socializing and 'talking story' with the many new friends made in such a short time. The new rolloff roof observatory was recently completed through charitable donations of materials, real estate and funding, not to mention time and sweat equity from many of the members in the form of carpentry, welding, machining, masonry and manual labor. The wonderful structure houses the club's 16" Ealing cassegrain and yet to be completed (still waiting on a secondary mirror) 37" reflector. Two of the highlights of the star party was being able to observe through a 1915 Alvin Clarke 9" refractor that Siegfried Jachmann lovingly rescued and restored, and the f/4 24" SkyDesigns monster of Allen Grahn. I was too busy talking story and forgot to get a picture of the beast before twilight befell us...arrgh. Thanks to my new friends at SLAS for showing me a wonderful time with sincere Salt Lake City hospitality.
Right: Richard Tenney is a member of SLAS, but also the president of the Utah Valley Astronomical Association (UVAA). Richard stands proudly before his 16" f/6.25 AstroSystems newtonian reflector on a dobsonian mount.
Right: Siegried Jachmann at the eyepiece of a 1915 Alvin Clarke 9" refractor. This was originally the main scope of the University of Utah, where he used it as a student in '61-62. In 1978, Jachmann discovered that the university was about to discard it, and he went on a campaign to rescue the rare instrument from the dump, restored and reassembled it into its current state. It was a privilege to observe through what most certainly could be a museum piece (but thankfully is NOT).
The workshops were usually half day events with
• CCD Imaging Workshop with Jim Seargeant, Jerry Foote, Richard Berry
• Pro-Am Collaboration Workshop and Computer Lab, Carolyn Collins Peterson - Chair, J. Kelly Beatty, Dr. Joel Parker
• Telescope Technology Workshop, Dr. Dale E. Mais, Bruce Grim, Bob Cavanaugh, Jim Fahey
Awards Banquet
The Awards Banquet was held in the Olpin Union Grand Ballroom. ALCON 2002 chair Lowell Lyon started things off with welcoming remarks, introduction of the Head Table and Guests of Honor, recognition of sponsors, and the announcement of door prizes. The Astronomical League program then commenced with opening remarks and recognition of newly elected officers by outgoing president Charles E. Allen. The new officers are: President Bob Gent, Vice President Terry Mann, Executive Secretary , Treasurer. Plans for ALCON 2003 were announced (Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society) to be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
League awards were presented:
ALPO Award: Outstanding lunar and planetary observer is Richard Schmude. Richard received a commemorative plaque.
National Young Astronomer Award: Albert King Lin, St. Francis Preparatory School , Fresh Meadows, NY for his project on discovering new pulsars in Chandra X-ray Observatory images. Albert receives a plaque, a Meade 10" LX200 telescope and mount and a lifetime pass to MacDonald Observatory. It should be noted that not even professional astronomers have this privilege.
Horkheimer Service Award: Student Isaac Campbell received a plaque and a check for $1000.
Outstanding Newsletter Award: Fisk Miles of the Astronomical Society of Kansas City received a plaque.
Astronomical League Award: Pioneer in telescope making and CCD development and author, Richard Berry received a plaque.
Peltier Award: For his service of over 50,000 variable star observations, Gene Hanson received a plaque
Astronomy Day Award: Hilo Astronomy Club member Gary Fujihara received a plaque and a $250 gift certificate to SkyPub
G.R. "Bob" Wright Service Award: For individual achievement, Mike Benson received a plaque
Finally, the banquet speaker was Dr. Don Lind, who flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985 where he acted as Payload Commander and was in charge of 15 experiments, as well as an experiment to take 3D video recordings of the earth's aurora. Dr Lind showed 'home' movies of his Challenger mission and shared many anecdotes.
MC and ALCON event coordinator, Lowell Lyon
President Chuck E. Allen passing the gavel to incoming president Bob Gent
Gene Hanson, recipient of the Peltier Award, the highest recognition
Gary with NYAA Award winner Albert King Lin
SkyPub exec editor Kelly Beatty presenting AstronomyDay award to Gary
It has been a pleasure to attend this convention: the Salt Lake "Cityzens" extended a warm aloha, even providing rain and a thunderstorm, making this Hilo boy feel right at home. Although I enjoyed myself during this trip, I have developed a greater appreciation for the cuisine of Hawaii. I have searched for a local style eatery but to no avail. Could not find a bento anywhere. Portuguese sausage? Forget about it. Everywhere you go there is potato this and potato that...no more rice anywhere, and even if you do find rice, not going be sticky kine and no way you can get one ume inside your musubi.
But seriously, the hospitality of the people of Utah, and particularly Siegfried Jachmann (the original discoverer of M42 [THUNK! - that was Charles Messier rolling over in his grave :-]), Lowell Lyon, Karla and Martin van Hemnert, Jo and Allen Grahn, Jerry and Cindy Foote, Ken Harris, Boyd McNeil, Nate Goodman, Scott Crosby, Sue Chamberlin, Deloy and Karen Pierce, Ken Warner, Salvador Rodrigues, Carlo Godel, and all the members of the Salt Lake Astronomical Society made the ALCON a wonderful success. Of course, this would not have been possible without President Bob Gent, Executive Secretary Jackie Beucher and the Astronomical League itself.
Acknowledgements and thanks (in no particular order) go out to the following individuals and organizations:
Albert King Lin for receiving the NYAA award. This 18 year old has a bright future ahead of him. Respectful young man will attend Carnegie Mellon University this fall, where he plans to study mechanical engineering. I asked if I could use the LX200 he won, but hasn't responded to my request....
Robert Gent incoming president of the Astronomical League for supporting the AstroDay Institute and providing me with that letter
Jackie Beucher of the Astronomical League for welcoming me as a new member. It was good talking with you during the event and getting to know you at the Gala Banquet.
Thomas Bisque of Software Bisque for allowing me to drool all over his $10,000 Paramount 1100 telescope mount. It's been great talking to you Tom, and we hope to see you (or your great products :-) at next year's AstroDay.
Peter Ceravolo and Glenn LeDrew from Main Sequence Software for their demo of the prerelease of Desktop Universe. Good luck with the release guys! And don't forget the OSX platform...and the mother ship isn't coming for me.
Kelly Beatty of Sky and Telescope magazine for his organization's support of AstroDay and the award they presented.
Michael Bennet of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for his and ASP's interest in promoting astronomy to the public through partnerships with amateur astronomers. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of our focus group evaluations.
Thomas Mathis of Carina Software for the sample program you turned me on to. I hope you will be writing an OSX version soon, and we'll see you in Hawaii next year with you lovely wife Marilyn and son Andy.
Scott Roberts of Meade Instruments Corporation for your interest in what AstroDay was all about and your company's generous donations this year. People were looking for you, maybe next year you can bring yourself and a few scopes to demo, give away and ... ahem, donate?
Ryan Hannahoe of the Astronomical League for the great work you are doing as the Youth Activities Chairman
Art Lucas, Secretary/Treasurer of the International Occultation Timing Association for showing and telling me about how much more fun it is to travel with your family...yes Art, I WILL bring my family with me to the next one.
David Crawford, Executive Director of the International Dark-Sky Association for accepting me as a member (heh, heh), and my proposal to come to Hawaii to speak about your crusade.
Vic and Jen Winter of Astronomical Tours for showing me cool photos and giving me information about your tours. See you in 2012 in Hawaii for the Venus transit eh? I think I'm free that week.
Al Nacman of the Charter School of Wilmington for the interesting conversations regarding education and outreach
Curtis MacDonald from Wyoming. It was nice to meet your family. I don't know how you did it, but I think it is great that Union Telephone subsidized your wife and Daughter's travel to accompany you on all your trips.