For the first time ever, a purpose-built test telescope will be combined with a properly drafted scientific survey. This combination will allow sophisticated statistical analysis of participant's observations.
This empirical study is the first stage of a two-year effort in pursuit of the answers to fundamental questions concerning optical quality and human perception. With luck, this effort will result in a paper being published in a refereed scientific journal. In any event, the results will certainly be made available to participants and to the amateur community at large.
The study will be conducted by members of the Central Missouri Astronomical Association (CMAA) and was designed by Dr. Mark Russell (see the Jupiter images article in the May'95 Sky & Telescope, page 90) and Val Germann (past president of CMAA). These two gentlemen have formed a small company called AstroQuest, whose partial mission is pure research to benefit the entire amateur community. They will be represented as a vendor at RTMC, Stellafane, and Astrofest.
I would like to invite all RTMC attendees to participate in the study. There are no right or wrong answers... actually it could be said that ALL answers are correct. Those who complete the survey will receive a nice gift and advance copies of the results as our thanks for participating.
Come by the AstroQuest booth (located across from the snack bar), say "HI", and sign up to participate in this important study! I look forward to seeing all of you there!
Clear Skies!
Andy Steere - dmislas@clark.umsystem.edu President - Central Missouri Astronomical Association