Over 600 people came together at ASTROFEST 1993, sponsored by the Chicago Astronomical Society. Held at a 4H camp near Kankakee, Illinois on September 24th through the 26th, 1993. While this was my first trip... this starparty is a favorite of our astronomy club.
This is a shot of a small part of the observing field (one row out of seven
or eight rows). People pull up in makeshift rows, setup their tents or
campers, then place the scopes to the outside so that people can wander
around and look at them. There were estimated to be over 300 telescopes,
of all makes and varieties, on the field.
(640x480 JPG 93k)
This is the main dining/meeting hall. Way too small to fit more than a
couple hundred people and they sell out of meal tickets very early. On
Saturday night, when door-prizes and awards are presented, this is a busy
place!
(640x480 JPG 110k)
This was the STAR of the show!!! This here monster is a 36" f/5 Obsession!
The waiting line to look through this scope was very long until late into the
night. Looking at the photo, you will notice the four trailer-jacks that are
used to move the beast around. The eyebolt on the front is for a winch
that is mounted in a Wells-Cargo trailer. Since the base weighs several
hundred pounds... this is the easiest way to move it. Surprisingly enough...
this scope can be setup by one person!
(640x480 JPG 104k)
This shot gives you a SLIGHTLY better idea just how big this scope really is!
There was even a small flashing LED mounted on the top of the scope to alert
low flying planes! ;-) Attaching that thin top ring is the only part of the
job that needs a ladder. The huge upper-cage assembly slips on while the
scope pointed at the horizon. Speaking of the ladder... it was a
free-standing aluminum 17-foot model! Quite stable... as long as you
remembered just how far up you were! The views from this scope were more
than worth the risk of death from a fall. M27 looked brighter than any
photograph I've ever seen of it... and this scope pulled in 14th magnitude
galaxies like they were streetlights! A view of a lifetime!
(323x480 JPG 65k)
While it wasn't the biggest scope on the field at _only_ 18"... this was our
favorite! It's a homemade 18" f/5 with a very well figured primary. With a
locking altitude bearing and strategically mounted wheels, this scope could
be moved around without strain or taking it apart. The eyepiece height
was perfect for me (6'1") and I didn't need a ladder up to +45 degrees. Above
that only took a small four-step ladder. No nosebleeds... which was a welcome
change of pace after using the 36"!
(320x480 JPG 92k)
There were a number of well made telescopes on the field... but this was one
that stuck in my head. This is a homebuilt telescope... but the person who
did the woodwork was obviously a professional! Notice how low profile the base is. This 20" telescope doesn't take up any more room than needed.
(640x480 JPG 92k)
This is a closeup of the previously mentioned telescope. Notice the inner
bracing... and the tube-clamps, and especially the altitude-bearing treatment.
There is a slot in that bearing to facilitate carrying the mirror-box. I sure
wish I had taken more pictures of this scope... it's a perfect example of
how to do it right!
(640x480 JPG 95k)
For some reason... I took a number of pictures of unusual telescopes or
devices. This truss-tube dobsonian had an upper-cage made from some
sort of airconditioning ductwork. If that wasn't enough by itself, it also
sported a diagonal heater and a built-in FILTER WHEEL! Changing the
filters was a simple matter of turning a knob near the eyepiece. A couple
of missing filters served when no filtration was desired.
(640x480 JPG 75k)
This telescope is very strange looking... but totally functional! An
assortment of building materials, including part of a metal barrel as the
diagonal-cage, provided everything you would need for deepsky observing.
There's a 50mm finder for rough centering, then a 4" reflector mounted on
the side for star-hopping, and a built-in table for charts!
(640x480 JPG 89k)
This is a very-finely handcrafted english-yoke mount made totally from wood.
Very nice... but it sure seems like a lot of wood to support a 4" telescope.
(640x480 JPG 98k)
The scope on the right is, believe it or not, a Meade 8" SCT! The owner of
this scope must have WAY too much time on their hands! This scope wins the
"Strangest Scope On The Field" award hands down! The skeptical person
looking at this "scope" is our very own club-member Steve Hill (he didn't
believe me and had to see it for himself).
(640x480 JPG 87k)
Well... that's all for 1993. Hope you enjoyed it!
|STARPARTY| HOME | STAFF |
Last modified on 03/25/2001