This is a history of Astronomical League Conventions.
PRE-RATIFICATION CONVENTIONS
AUGUST 19-20, 1939
NEW YORK, NY
Location: | American Museum of Natural History |
Host: | Amateur Astronomers Association of New York |
Chair: | Clement S. Brainin |
Keynote: | Dr. Harlow Shapley – “Astronomy in the World of Tomorrow” |
Attendance: | 300 |
Tour: | New York World’s Fair |
JULY 5-7, 1940
PITTSBURGH, PA
Location: | Buhl Planetarium |
Host: | Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh |
Chair: | H. Clinton Kyle |
Keynote: | Dr. Heber Curtis – McMath-Hulbert solar films (Friday) Dr. Charles H. Smiley – Ladd Observatory (Saturday) |
Attendance: | 200 (est.) |
JULY 4-5, 1941
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Location: | Willard Hotel |
Host: | National Capital Astronomers |
Chair: | Stephan S. Nagy |
Keynote: | Dr. Clyde Fisher and James Stokely (Science Service- – Eclipse Expeditions |
Attendance: | 125 (150 banquet) |
Tour: | U.S. Naval Observatory |
1942-1945
No conventions due to war
JULY 5-7, 1946
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Location: | Cranfield Institute of Science |
Host: | Detroit A. S. and Warren A. S. |
Chair: | Margaret Back |
Attendance: | 164 |
OFFICIAL LEAGUE CONVENTIONS
JULY 4-6, 1947
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Location: | Franklin Institute |
Host: | Amateur Astronomers of the Franklin Institute, Rittenhouse Astronomical Society, The Amateur Astronomers League |
Chair: | Armand N. Spitz |
Attendance: | 200 (est.) |
JULY 3-5, 1948
MILWAUKEE, WI
Location: | Concordia College |
Host: | Milwaukee Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Charles Strull (papers chair) |
Keynote: | Charles A. Federer – “Visit to High Altitude, Lowell and Lick Observatories” |
Attendance: | 190 |
Tour: | Yerkes Observatory |
JULY 2-4, 1949
CLEVELAND, OH
Location: | Case Institute of Technology |
Host: | Cleveland Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Rolland LaPelle |
Keynote: | Dr. S. W. McCusky – “The Expanding Milky Way.” |
Attendance: | 122 |
JULY 1-4, 1950
WELLESLEY, MA
Location: | Wellesley College (Tower Center) |
Host: | Bond Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Charles A. Federer, Jr. |
Keynote: | Dr. William A. Calder – “Observatory at Agnes Scott College” |
Attendance: | 210 (photo) |
Tour: | Harvard’s Oak Ridge Station; Boston Museum of Science |
SEPTEMBER 1-3, 1951
CHAPEL HILL, NC
Location: | University of North Carolina |
Host: | Greensboro Astronomical Society; Raleigh Astronomical Society; Norfolk Astronomical Society |
Chair: | G. R. “Bob” Wright |
Keynote: | Dr. Carl K. Seyfert – “Development of the Vanderbilt University Observatory” |
Attendance: | 168 (photo) |
Tour: | Annular eclipse Morehead Planetarium |
Al Award: | Albert H. Ingalls |
Note: | League logo contest winner announced (James M. Karle) |
JULY 3-7, 1952
DALLAS, TX
Location: | Fondren Science Building, Southern Methodist University |
Host: | Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas, Ft. Worth Astronomical Society; Port Arthur Astronomy Club |
Chair: | E. M. Brewer |
Keynote: | W. P. Bidelman – “Peculiar Stellar Spectra; Their Importance in the Study
of Stellar Evolution” |
Attendance: | 222 |
Tour: | McDonald Observatory and Carlsbad Caverns (post-convention bus tour) |
AL Award: | Walter H. Haas |
SEPTEMBER 4-7, 1953
WASHINGTON, DC
Location: | Carnegie Institution |
Host: | National Capital Astronomers |
Chair: | G. R. (“Bob”) Wright |
Keynote: | Buffet supper Georgetown Observatory lawn (no banquet) |
Attendance: | 164 (est.; photo) |
Tour: | U.S. Naval Observatory; Georgetown Observatory; Naval Research Laboratory |
AL Award: | Charles A. Federer, Jr. |
JULY 2-5, 1954
MADISON, WI
Location: | Babcock Hall, University of Wisconsin |
Host: | Madison Astronomical Society; Milwaukee Astronomical Society; Beloit Astronomical Society; NCRAL |
Chair: | H. B. Porterfield |
Keynote: | Dr. H. Percy Wilkins – “Amateur Astronomy in the U. K.” |
Attendance: | 191 (photo) |
Tour: | Total solar eclipse (pre-convention—June 30) |
AL Award: | Dr. Harlow Shapley and Charlie Mary Noble |
JULY 1-4, 1955
SEATTLE, WA
Location: | Guggenheim Hall, University of Washington |
Host: | Seattle Amateur Astronomy Society |
Chair: | Norman K. Dalke |
Keynote: | Dr. R. M. Petrie – “Measuring Astronomical Distances” |
Attendance: | 146 |
Tour: | Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (host Victoria Centre, RASC) |
Al Award: | Carl Price Richards |
JULY 2-5, 1956
MIAMI, FL and HAVANA, CUBA
Location: | McAllister Hotel |
Host: | Gulfstream Astronomical Society; Southern Cross Astronomical Society; Key West Astronomical Society; Cuban Navy |
Chair: | Arthur P. Smith, Jr. |
Keynote: | Dr. Harlow Shapley – “Fun With Planet Number Three” |
Attendance: | 181 (est.; photo) |
Tour: | Cruise to Havana, Cuba |
AL Award: | Mrs. Charlie Mary Noble and Dr. Harlow Shapley |
AUGUST 31- SEPTEMBER 2, 1957
KANSAS CITY, MO
Location: | University of Kansas City |
Host: | Astronomical Society of Kansas City |
Chair: | Gene Tandy |
Keynote: | Dr. Richard N. Thomas – “Some Current Problems of the Solar Chromosphere” |
Attendance: | 243 (banquet) |
Tour: | Linda Hall Library |
JULY 4-6, 1958
ITHACA, NY
Location: | Cornell University |
Host: | Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Sciences |
Chair: | Ralph K. Dakin |
Keynote: | Charles A. Federer, Jr. – “Kitt Peak and Other Western Observatories” |
Attendance: | ~144 (photo) |
Tour: | Fuertes Observatory, Cornell University (clouded out Fri. and Sat.) |
Al Award: | Dr. Clarence E. Johnson |
AUGUST 28-31, 1959
FIRST NATIONWIDE AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS CONVENTION, DENVER, CO
Participants: | AL, WAA, AAVSO, ALPO |
Location: | Denver University |
Host: | Denver Astronomical Society; University of Denver |
Chair: | Kenneth Steinmetz; Edward A.Halbach, AL Chair |
Keynote: | Thomas A. Cragg, Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories |
Attendance: | 600 (550 registered) |
Tour: | USAF Academy and Planetarium; National Bureau of Standards; Garden of the Gods; High Altitude Observatory (Climax, CO) |
AL Award: | Mrs. Grace Scholz Spitz |
SEPTEMBER 3-5, 1960
HAVERFORD, PA
Participants: | AL, ALPO |
Location: | Haverford College |
Host: | Rittenhouse Astronomical Society; A. A. of the Franklin Institute; Delaware Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Edwin F. Bailey |
Keynote: | Dr. Louis C. Green, Director, Strawbridge Memorial Observatory–“Rockets, Satellites and the New Astronomy” |
Attendance: | 278 |
Tour: | Strawbridge Memorial Observatory Villanova Observatory Flower and Cook Observatory Fels Planetarium, Franklin Institute Edmund Scientific Spitz Laboratories Sproul Observatory |
AL Jr.: | Daniel Kleinman |
JULY 1-3, 1961
DETROIT, MI
Location: | Henrose Hotel |
Host: | Detroit Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Carroll D. Marshall |
Keynote: | Dr. Harvey Merker, former Director of Scientific Relations for the Parke Davis Company” — Adventures in Medicine — Witchcraft to World Health.” |
Attendance: | 300 |
Tour: | Cobo Hall square dancing convention Peach Mountain Radio Observatory (Univ. of Michigan) Detroit Astronomical Society Headquarters |
SEPTEMBER 1-3, 1962
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Location: | Western Skies Hotel |
Host: | The Albuquerque Astronomers |
Chair: | Dan Judd |
Keynote: | Armand N. Spitz – “Man and the Moon” |
Attendance: | 100 |
Tour: | Sandia Corporation Observatory |
AL Award: | Robert E. Cox |
JULY 18-20, 1963
ORONO, ME
Location: | Physics Lecture Hall, University of Maine, Orono |
Host: | James W. Gagan |
Attendance: | 800 |
Tour: | University of Maine, Orono, campus (total solar eclipse—clouded out) Cadillac Mountain (total Solar Eclipse—moderately successful) |
AL Award: | Wilma Cherup |
AL Jr.: | J. Richard Gott, III |
AUGUST 28-31, 1964
SECOND NATIONWIDE AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS CONVENTION, DENVER, CO
Participants: | AL, WAA, AAVSO, ALPO |
Location: | University of Denver |
Host: | National Amateur Astronomers; Denver Astronomical Society; University of Denver |
Chair: | Kenneth Steinmetz |
Keynote: | Robert E. Cox – “Project Channel Infinity” |
Tour: | USAF Academy and Planetarium; National Bureau of Standards; Garden of the Gods; High Altitude Observatory (Climax, CO); NORAD, Georgetown, CO (mining town) |
AL Award: | Margaret W. Mayall |
JULY 2-5, 1965
MILWAUKEE, WI
Location: | Hotel Schroeder |
Host: | Milwaukee Astronomical Society; Racine Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Leonard G. Pardue |
Keynote: | Kenneth E. Kissel – “1965 NASA-IQSY Solar Eclipse Expedition From an Experimenter’s Point of View” |
Attendance: | 280 |
Tour: | Yerkes Observatory; Milwaukee Astronomical Society Observatory; Racine Astronomical Society Observatory |
Note: | Floyd L. Shirey, 73, falls to death from Yerkes dome balcony (July 3) |
AL Award: | G. R. “Bob” Wright |
JULY 1-5, 1966
MIAMI, FL
Location: | McAllister Hotel |
Host: | Southern Cross A. S. and Indian River A. S. |
Chair: | Leonard G. Pardue |
Keynote: | Dr. S. Fred Singer |
Attendance: | 265 (300 banquet) |
Tour: | Seaquarium; New Planetarium; Southern Cross Observatory; Apollo AS-203 Saturn SIVB stage test launch |
JUNE 30 – JULY 4, 1967
WASHINGTON, DC
Location: | Georgetown University |
Host: | National Capitol Astronomers |
Chair: | G. R. “Bob” Wright (second-time chairman) |
Keynote: | Dr. Kaj Aa. Strand – “What’s New in Astronomy” |
Attendance: | 440 |
Tour: | Smithsonian; Goddard Spaceflight Center; U.S. Naval Observatory |
AL Award: | Norman W. Edmund |
AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 2, 1968
CHICAGO, IL
Location: | Hotel Sheraton-Chicago |
Host: | Chicago Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Gerald Schultz |
Keynote: | Dr. Joseph M. Chamberlain, Dir. Adler Planetarium |
Attendance: | 225 |
Tour: | Dearborn Observatory and Lindheimer Research Center (Northwestern University); Field Museum; Adler Planetarium |
AL Award: | Leslie C. Peltier |
AUGUST 20-23, 1969
THIRD NATIONWIDE AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS CONVENTION, DENVER, CO
Participants: | AL, WAA, AAVSO, ALPO |
Location: | University of Denver |
Host: | Denver Astronomical Society; National Amateur Astronomers; University of Denver |
Chair: | Kenneth Steinmetz (second-time chairman) |
Keynote: | George T. Keene – “Lunar Photography – Close Up” |
Attendance: | 141 (est.: photo) |
Tour: | North American Air Defense Command; Environmental Science Services Administration; National Center for Atmospheric Research |
AL Award: | Leonard G. Pardue |
JULY 9-11, 1970
PITTSFORD, NY
Location: | Nazareth College |
Host: | Astronomy Section, Rochester Academy of Science |
Chair: | Ralph K. Dakin (second-time chairman) |
Keynote: | (Strasenburgh Planetarium show) |
Attendance: | 181 |
Al Award: | Russell C. Maag |
AUGUST 18-22, 1971
MEMPHIS, TN
Participants: | AL, ALPO |
Location: | Southwestern University at Memphis |
Host: | Memphis Astronomical Society; Southwesterm Memphis University Physics Dept. |
Chair: | William J. Busler |
Keynote: | Dr. John D. Strong – “Balloon Infrared Astronomy” |
Attendance: | >300 |
Tour: | Memphis Queen (banquet); local observatories |
AL Award: | Ralph K. Dakin |
AUGUST 23-28, 1972
SEATTLE, WA
Location: | University of Washington |
Host: | Seattle Amateur Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Rolland LaPelle |
Keynote: | Dr. A. D. Thackary – “The Southern Skies” |
Attendance: | 100 |
Tour: | Blake Island Monotash Observatory Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, BC |
AL Award: | Edward A. Halbach |
Note: | Mrs. Ernest Robson suffers broken leg in fall on stage steps |
AUGUST 1-5, 1973
AL-ALPO NATIONAL CONVENTION, OMAHA, NB
Participants: | AL, ALPO, and AAVSO delegates |
Location: | Creighton University |
Host: | Omaha Astronomical Society; Prairie Astronomical Club |
Chair: | Robert D. Allen and Jerry M. Sherlin |
Keynote: | Dr. Karel Hujer – “Reflections on the Life and Works of Copernicus on this 500th Anniversary of his Birth” |
Attendance: | 144 (est.; photo) |
Tour: | Leuninghoener Planetarium, Midland College Behlen Observatory (Univ. of Nebraska) |
AUGUST 14-18, 1974
EAST LANSING, MI
Location: | Michigan State University |
Host: | Kalamazoo Astronomical Society; Warren Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Frank McCullough |
Keynote: | Walter Scott Houston – “Sierra Madre Crater” |
Attendance: | 115 (est.; photo) |
AL Award: | Walter Scott Houston |
AUGUST 13-17, 1975
ATLANTA, GA
Location: | Ramada Inn Central; Fernbank Science Center |
Host: | Atlanta Astronomy Club |
Chair: | Dr. Robert R. Hayward |
Keynote: | Dr. Gerald Soffen – “Viking to Mars” |
Attendance: | 150 |
Tour: | Stone Mountain; two local observatories |
AUGUST 19-22, 1976
ASTROCON ’76, KUTZTOWN, PA
Location: | Kutztown State College |
Host: | Lehigh Valley Astronomical Society; Astronomical Society of Harrisburg; Rittenhouse Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Ernest M. Robson |
Keynote: | Deborah Jean Warner – “200 Years of Amateur Astronomy” |
Attendance: | 667 |
Note: | Dues raised from $0.50 to $1.00. Roger Tuthill advises League to substantially increase dues. Debate over dues increase and individual billing ensues. |
AUGUST 10-13, 1977
BOULDER, CO
Location: | University of Colorado |
Host: | National Amateur Astronomers |
Chair: | Derald D. Nye |
Keynote: | Dr. Charles Hord – “The Voyager Mission and the Atmosphere of Jupiter” |
Attendance: | 475 |
AL Award: | Bill and Cathryn DuVall |
JUNE 27 – JULY 1, 1978
MADISON, WI
Location: | The Sheraton Inn |
Host: | Madison Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Doris V. Koster |
Keynote: | Dr. Blair D. Savage – “First Scientific Results from the International Ultraviolet Explorer” |
Attendance: | 285 |
AUGUST 16-19, 1979
PORTLAND, OR
Location: | University of Portland |
Host: | Portland Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Clifford L. Caplan |
Keynote: | Jim Bosley |
Attendance: | 200 |
JULY 2-6, 1980
DALLAS, TX
Location: | Southern Methodist University |
Host: | Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas |
Chair: | Ronald Price |
Keynote: | Dr. R. Edward Nather – “Close Twin Degenerate Binary Stars” |
Attendance: | 200 |
Peltier Award: | Leslie C. Peltier (posthumously) |
AUGUST 10-16, 1981
ASTROCON ‘81, KUTZTOWN, PA
Participants: | AL, ALPO, IAPPP |
Location: | Kutztown State College |
Host: | Lehigh Valley Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Kenneth H. Mohr, Jr. |
Keynote: | Dr. Owen Gingerich – “Copernicus, Tycho, and the New Astronomy” |
Attendance: | 450 |
Tour: | Pulpit Rock |
AL Award: | Dr. David Dunham |
Peltier Award: | Edward A. Halbach |
JULY 21-24, 1982
PEORIA, IL
Participants: | AL, ALPO |
Location: | Continental Regency Hotel |
Host: | Peoria Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Georgia Sutherland |
Keynote: | Clyde Tombaugh – “History and Discovery of Pluto” |
Attendance: | 264 |
AL Award: | Clyde Tombaugh |
Peltier Award: | Walter H. Haas |
JULY 26-30, 1983
JACKSONVILLE, FL
Location: | Sheraton St. John’s Place |
Host: | N. E. Florida Astronomical Society and Ancient City Astronomy Club |
Chair: | Michael Reynolds |
Keynote: | James E. Oberg – “Terraforming the Solar System” |
Attendance: | 300 |
Tour: | Kennedy Space Center; EPCOT Center; Disney World; St. Augustine (Castillo De San Marcos); Deep Sea Fishing |
Al Award: | Ten Young (posthumously) and Roger Tuthill |
Peltier Award: | Clinton B. Ford |
AUGUST 1-4, 1984
MILWAUKEE, WI
Location: | Carroll College |
Host: | Milwaukee Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Daniel L. Koehler |
Keynote: | Stephen Edberg – “Comet Halley – A Glowing Opportunity for Amateur Astronomers” |
Attendance: | 416 |
AL Award: | Dr. Douglas Hall |
Peltier Award: | Walter Scott Houston |
JUNE 17-22, 1985
TUCSON, AZ
Location: | University of Arizona |
Chair: | David Levy |
Keynote: | Clark R. Chapman – “Jupiter, Galileo and Amateur Astronomy” |
Attendance: | 250 |
AL Award: | Clifford W. Holmes |
Peltier Award: | Rev. Robert Evans |
Wright Award: | Barry and Carol Beaman |
AUGUST 4-10, 1986
ASTROCON ‘86, BALTIMORE, MD
Participants: | AL, ALPO, IAPPP, International Halley Watch, Planetary Society, L5 Society, Space Studies Institute |
Location: | College of Notre Dame |
Host: | Baltimore Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Michael Potter and David Pessagno |
Keynote: | Ben Meyer – Successful Sky Photography |
Attendance: | 235 |
Peltier Award: | Russell Genet |
Wright Award: | Jeffrey Lewis |
JULY 11-16, 1987
UNIVERSE ’87, CLAREMONT, CA
Participants: | AL, WAA, ALPO, IAPPP, IOTA |
Location: | Pomona College |
Host: | Astronomical Society of the Pacific; Riverside Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Andrew Fraknoi and Clifford Holmes |
Keynote: | Kip Thorne Alan Sandage Frank Drake |
Attendance: | 800* (includes ASP, Planetary Society, ALPO, IOTA, IAPPP) |
Tour: | Mount Wilson Observatory Mount Palomar Observatory |
Wright Award: | Tom Martinez |
JULY 27-30, 1988
COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA
Location: | Iowa Western Community College |
Host: | Omaha Astronomical Society |
Chair: | George E. Allen and Robert D. Allen |
Keynote: | John Dobson – “This World’s a Sham!” |
Attendance: | 212 |
Tour: | Starlight Hill Observatory |
Note: | First National Star Bowl Competition |
AL Award: | Rollin P. VanZandt |
Peltier Award: | David Levy |
Wright Award: | Bill Scurlock |
JULY 19-22, 1989
SPOKANE, WA
Location: | Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA |
Host: | Spokane Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Gene Dietzen and Katie Hershfield |
Keynote: | Richard D. Shaffer, JPL – The Ulysses Project |
Attendance: | 140 |
Tour: | “Spokane Under the Stars” (evening city tour) |
Note: | Second National Star Bowl Competition won by Fox’s Club (Jim Fox, Bob Stalzer, Fred Pilcher, and Mike Hood) |
AL Award: | Dr. Donald Parker |
Peltier Award: | Merry Edenton Wooten |
Wright Award: | Peter Collins |
JULY 31 – AUGUST 4, 1990
ST. LOUIS, MO
Location: | Washington University |
Host: | St. Louis Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Steve Best and Wayne Clark |
Keynote: | Dr. John Dickel, Univ. Ill. – “Radio Astronomy: A Different Look at the Universe” |
Attendance: | 205 |
AL Award: | Janet Mattei |
Wright Award: | Edward P. Flaspoehler Jr. |
AUGUST 7-9, 1991
AMHERST, MA
Location: | University of Massachusetts |
Host: | Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston |
Chair: | John Reed and Bernie Volz |
Keynote: | Dr. Rudy Schild – Advances in CCD Imaging |
Attendance: | 155 |
Tour: | Stellafane (post-convention) |
AL Award: | Virginia Lipphard |
Peltier Award: | Thomas A. Cragg |
Wright Award: | Gary Tomlinson |
JULY 13-18, 1992
COSMOCON ‘92, SAN JOSE, CA
Participants: | AL, ALPO, AANC. WAA |
Location: | San Jose State College |
Host: | Astronomical Association of Northern California and West. Amateur Astronomers |
Chair: | Don Stone |
Keynote: | Dr. George Textor — “Voyager: The Incredible Journey” |
Attendance: | 125 |
Tour: | Lick Observatory Chabot Observatory and Science Center NASA Ames Research Center Fremont Peak Observatory |
AL Award: | Dr. David Crawford |
Peltier Award: | Dr. Donald Parker |
Wright Award: | Jerry Sherlin |
JULY 29-31, 1993
MADISON, WI
Location: | Sheraton Inn and Convention Center |
Host: | Madison Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Paula Puffer |
Keynote: | Dr. Arthur Cole – “Thirty Four Years of Astronomy From Space” |
Attendance: | 200+ |
Tour: | Yerkes Observatory |
Note: | Pizza prank—pizza delivered to NYAA and GLRAL Chair Chuck Allen during banquet |
AL Award: | Andrew Fraknoi |
Peltier Award: | Janet Mattei |
Wright Award: | Rollin P. VanZandt |
NYAA: | Blake Warren Thomas |
JULY 28-30, 1994
KANSAS CITY, MO
Location: | Avila College |
Host: | Astronomical Society of Kansas City |
Chair: | Carroll Iorg |
Keynote: | Dr. Bruce Twarog, Kansas University, “Worlds in Collision” |
Attendance: | 275 (est.) |
AL Award: | Jack Horkheimer |
Wright Award: | Elizabeth Hasson |
NYAA: | Stephanie Cinereski |
JULY 20-22, 1995
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Location: | St. Mary’s College |
Host: | San Antonio Astronomical Association |
Chair: | Lt. Col. Robert Gent |
Keynote: | Dr. Donald Parker |
Attendance: | 250 (est.) |
Tour (self): | Riverwalk Mercado 1964 Hemisfair Alamo Spanish Governor’s Palace |
AL Award: | Dr. John Westfall |
Peltier Award: | Ron Parmentier |
Wright Award: | John Wagoner |
NYAA: | Heather Castellano |
JULY 24-27, 1996
ASTROCON ’96 (ASTRONOMY AROUND THE CLOCK), ROCKFORD, IL
Participants: | AL, ALPO |
Location: | Rockford College |
Host: | Rockford Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Carol and Barry Beaman |
Keynote: | Dr. John H. Percy – Role of Amateurs in Public Education |
Attendance: | 329 |
Tour: | Lockwood Park Observatory Astrophysics, Inc. Yerkes Observatory |
AL Award: | Dr. John H. Percy |
Peltier Award: | Ed Oravec |
Wright Award: | Jim Fox |
NYAA: | Mani S. Mahjouri |
JULY 2-5, 1997
COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO
Location: | Copper Mountain Resort |
Host: | Astronomical League and University of Denver |
Chair: | Jerry Sherlin (second-time chairman) |
Keynote: | Leif Robinson, Editor-in-Chief, Sky and Telescope |
Attendance: | 300 (est.) |
Tour: | Meyer-Womble Observatory (Mt. Evans) |
Peltier Award: | Dennis diCicco |
Wright Award: | Kathy Machin |
NYAA: | Heather T. Cameron |
JULY 21-25, 1998
FRENCH LICK, INDIANA
Location: | French Lick Springs Resort |
Host: | Evansville Astronomical Society Louisville Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Mitch Lumen (EAS) and Sally Lambert (LAS) |
Keynote: | F. Story Musgrave – “Blue: Pictures from Orbit” |
Attendance: | 250 |
Tour: | Gus Grissom Memorial Louisville Science Center Kentucky Derby Museum |
AL Award: | Dr. J. Richard Gott III |
Special Award: | Barry and Carol Beaman |
Peltier Award: | Roger Sinnott |
Wright Award: | Chuck Allen, Jackie Beucher, Bert Stevens, Janet Stevens |
Sterns Award: | The Observer, Twin City Amateur Astronomers, Jean Memkin and Michael Rogers |
NYAA: | Mary Dombrowski |
H / Smith Award: | Heather Ann Harland |
JULY 13-17, 1999
ASTROCON ’99, CHENEY, WA
Location: | Eastern Washington University |
Host: | Spokane Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Cindy Psick |
Keynote: | Dr. F. Story Musgrave |
Special Speaker: | Bill Nye and Dr. Louis Freidman (fundraising event) |
Attendance: | >300 (est.) |
Tour: | Grand Coulee Dam Bus Trip to Mars (geological tour) Gonzaga University |
AL Award: | Dr. Frank Bash |
President’s Award: | John C. Diebel |
Peltier Award: | Bill Albrecht |
Wright Award: | Marion Bachtell |
Sterns Award: | Celestial Observer, Amateur Observer Society of New York, Don Schermerhorn |
NYAA | Elizabeth Fernandez |
H / Smith Award: | Adam Forte |
JULY 19-22, 2000
ASTROCON 2000, VENTURA, CA
Participants: | AL, ALPO, ASP, AAVSO, IOTA, AAAA, IDA, SETI |
Location: | Holiday Inn on the Beach |
Host: | Ventura County Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Tim Robertson |
Keynote: | James Montgomery Doohan, Star Trek actor – “Degradation of Dilithium Crystals in Warp Drives” |
Attendance: | 300 (est.) |
Tour: | Griffith Park Observatory Mt. Wilson Observatory Mt. Pinos |
AL Award: | Don Trombino |
President’s Award: | Edward P. Flaspoehler Jr. |
Peltier Award: | Charles Scovil |
Wright Award: | Robert L. Gent |
Sterns Award: | Back Bay Observer, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers, Glendon Howell |
NYAA: | Patrick L. Kelly |
H / Smith Award: | Katie Moore |
JULY 25-28, 2001
FREDERICK, MD
Location: | Holiday Inn Holidome and Francis Scott Key Conference Center |
Host: | Mid-East Region Astronomical League and Astronomical League |
Chair: | Bob Gent |
Keynote: | Jack Horkheimer, the “Star Gazer” |
Attendance: | 200 (est.) |
Tour: | National Air and Space Museum |
Peltier Award: | Richard Berry |
Wright Award: | Orville Brettman |
Sterns Award: | Northern Virginia Astronomy Club Newsletter, NOVAC, Michael Mills |
NYAA: | Susannah C. Lazar |
H / Smith Award: | Ryan Hannahoe |
JULY 31-AUGUST 3, 2002
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Participants: | AL, ALPO, IOTA, IDA, ASP |
Location: | University of Utah |
Host: | Salt Lake Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Lowell Lyon |
Keynote: | Dr. David Malin Special appearance: John Dobson |
Attendance: | 300 (est.) |
Tour: | Kennocott Copper Mine Hill Aerospace Museum Evans and Sutherland |
AL Award: | Richard Berry |
Peltier Award: | Gene Hanson |
Wright Award: | Mike Benson |
Sterns Award: | The Cosmic Messenger, Astronomical Society of Kansas City, Fiske Miles |
NYAA: | Albert King Lin |
H / Smith Award: | Isaac Campbell |
JULY 9-12, 2003
NASHVILLE, TN
Location: | Embassy Suites Airport |
Host: | Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Mike Benson |
Keynote: | Dr. Martin Weisskopf “Chandra X-Ray Observatory” |
Attendance: | 175 (est.) |
Tour: | U. S. Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL |
AL Award: | Dr. Tim Hunter |
Peltier Award: | Dr. Paul Comba (minor planets discoverer) |
Wright Award: | Carroll Iorg |
Sterns Award: | Sidereal Times, The Austin Astronomical Society, Anne Adkins, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Greg Piepol, Northern Virginia Astronomy Club |
NYAA: | Maxwell Cassady |
H / Smith Award: | Kayla LaFrance |
JULY 20-24, 2004
ASTROCON 2004, BERKELEY, CA
Location: | Doubletree Hotel |
Host: | ASP, ALPO, AAVSO |
Chair: | Mike Bennett, Mike Reynolds |
Keynote: | Alan Bean |
Attendance: | 400 |
Tour: | Lick Observatory Muir Woods Chabot Space and Science Center Napa Valley |
AL Award: | John F. Martin V |
President’s Award: | Walter Haas |
Peltier Award: | Wayne Johnson |
Wright Award: | Joanne Hailey and Terry Mann |
Sterns Award: | Spectrum, Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas, Warren Waid, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Don Taylor, North Houston Astronomy Club |
NYAA: | John Davis |
H / Smith Award: | Anna Czoski |
AUGUST 12-13, 2005
KANSAS CITY, MO
Location: | Sheraton-Overland Park Hotel |
Host: | Astronomical Society of Kansas City; ALPO |
Chair: | Carroll Iorg |
Keynote: | Bruce Bradley |
Attendance: | 225 (est.) |
Tour: | Powell Observatory |
Special Award: | Mitch Glaze and Chuck Beucher |
Peltier Award: | Edward Grafton |
Wright Award: | Kent Marts |
Sterns Award: | The Cosmic Messenger, Astronomical Society of Kansas City, Marcia Young, editor |
Webmaster Award: | John Hepler, Chester County Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Christopher Limbach |
H / Smith Award: | Benjamin Jones |
AUGUST 3-5, 2006
ARLINGTON, TX
Location: | University of Texas at Arlington |
Host: | Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas |
Chair: | Linda McCalla |
Keynote: | Dr. Fritz Benedict |
Attendance: | 160 |
Tour: | Oscar E. Monnig Meteorite Gallery |
AL Award: | J. Kelly Beatty |
Peltier Award: | Elizabeth Waagen |
Wright Award: | John Goss |
Sterns Award: | Observations, Chester County Astronomical Society, James Anderson, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Drew Carhart, Naperville Astronomical Association |
NYAA: | Mary Masterman |
H / Smith Award: | Daniel Handlin |
AUGUST 3-4, 2007
PORTLAND, OR
Location: | Portland State University |
Host: | Rose City Astronomers |
Chair: | Dareth Murray |
Keynote: | Marni Berendsen |
Attendance: | 175 (est.) |
Tour: | Pine Mountain Observatory |
AL Award: | Tippy D’Auria |
Peltier Award: | Daniel M. Troiani |
Wright Award: | Marilyn Unruh |
Sterns Award: | The Rosette Gazette, Rose City Astronomers, Larry Deal, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Travis Swaim, Oklahoma City Astronomy Club |
NYAA: | Namoi Pequette |
H / Smith Award: | Carter Smith |
JULY 18—19, 2008
DES MOINES, IA
Location: | Downtown Marriott Hotel |
Host: | Des Moines Astronomical Society/A.L.P.O. |
Chair: | Bryan Butcher |
Keynote: | Mike Reynolds |
Attendance: | 150 (est.) |
Tour: | Science Center of Iowa Drake Municipal Observatory Bridges of Madison County Tour John Wayne Birthplace |
AL Award: | Richard Schmude |
President’s Award: | Scott Roberts |
Peltier Award: | Richard G. Hodgson |
Wright Award: | Vern Raben, Michael Hotka, Tammy Plotner, George Baker, editor |
Sterns Award: | Newsletter of the Chester County Astronomical Society, CCAS, John Hepler |
Webmaster Award: | Del Gordon, Huachuca Astronomy Club |
NYAA: | John Hodge II |
H / Smith Award: | Christina Lee |
AUGUST 7-8, 2009
HEMPSTEAD, NY
Location: | Hofstra University |
Host: | Amateur Observers’ Society of New York |
Chair: | Bill Bogardus |
Keynote: | David Levy |
Attendance: | ~160 (est.; 80 group photo) |
Tour: | Brookhaven National Laboratory Spectrum Thin Film Technology |
AL Award: | Alan Traino |
Peltier Award: | Gerhard Samolyk |
Wright Award: | Mary Sutter |
Sterns Award: | Newsletter of the Austin Astronomical Society, AAS, Dana Koch, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Richard Richins, Astronomical Society of Las Cruces Richard Bell, Kalamazoo Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Harry Gaebler |
H / Smith Award: | Ryan Loomis |
JUNE 25-26, 2010
ALCON/EXPO/IDA, TUCSON, AZ
Location: | Hilton Tucson East |
Host: | Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association International Dark Sky Association |
Chair: | Bob Gent |
Keynote: | Dr. Roger Angel |
Attendance: | 250 (est.) |
Tour: | David Levy’s Jarnac Observatory |
AL Award: | Dr. Wayne Wooten |
Peltier Award: | Derald D. Nye |
Sterns Award: | Spectrum, Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas, Dave Hutchison, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Gabe Cardona, Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas |
NYAA: | Andrew Hitchner |
H / Smith Award: | Christian Borao |
JUNE 29-JULY 2, 2011
ASTROCON ’11 – BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT
Location: | Best Western Ruby’s Inn Bryce Canyon National Park |
Host: | Salt Lake Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Lowell Lyon and Terry Mann |
Keynote: | Carolyn Shoemaker |
Attendance: | 408 |
Tour: | Bryce Canyon National Park |
Peltier Award: | Arnie Henden |
Wright Award: | Lowell Lyon |
Sterns Award: | Sonoma Skies; Sonoma County Astronomical Society, Cecelia Yarnell, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Larry Hubble, Harford County Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Ben Clark |
JULY 4-7, 2012
LINCOLNSHIRE (CHICAGO), IL
Location: | Lincolnshire Marriott Hotel |
Host: | Chicago Astronomical Society; A.L.P.O. |
Chair: | Audrey Fischer and John Goss |
Keynote: | David Gaines, HST Documentary; Astronomy Magazine Blues Band; Tallship “Windy” Chartered Sail |
Attendance: | 332 |
Tour: | Yerkes Observatory Fermilab |
AL Award: | David Clark |
Peltier Award: | Mike Simonsen |
Sterns Award: | Guidestar, Houston Astronomical Society, Bill Pellerin, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Jeffrey McLaughlin, Houston Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Justin Tieman |
H / Smith Award: | Benjamin Palmer |
JULY 24-27, 2013
ATLANTA, GA
Location: | Emory Conference Center Hotel |
Host: | Atlanta Astronomy Club |
Chair: | Ken Poshedly (Art Zorka, deceased prior to convention) |
Keynote: | Charles Wood “Learning to Read the Moon” |
Attendance: | 128 |
Tour: | Deerlick Astronomy Village William Barber Observatory |
Special Award: | Dr. Roger Kohlman |
Peltier Award: | John E. Bortle |
Wright Award: | William Bogardus |
Sterns Award: | Sidereal Times, Austin Astronomical Society, Erika Rix, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Ken Slater, Springfield Telescope Makers |
NYAA: | Mark Morretto |
H / Smith Award: | Sophia Layey |
JULY 10-12, 2014
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Location: | Hilton San Antonio Airport |
Host: | San Antonia Astronomical Association |
Chair: | Robert Reeves and Mark Jurena |
Keynote: | Don Pettit |
Attendance: | 200 (est.) |
Tour: | Riverwalk |
AL Award: | Dr. David Hans Hough |
Peltier Award: | Jim Fox |
Wright Award: | Dr. Aaron Clevenson |
Sterns Award: | Amateur Astronomer, Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomers, Karl Henry, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Ward Vuillemot, Seattle Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Pranav Sivakumar |
H / Smith Award: | Hagan Hensley |
JULY 9-11, 2015
LAS CRUCES, NM
Location: | Hotel Encanto |
Host: | Las Cruces Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Ron Kramer |
Keynote: | Pat Hynes “How to Keep the Public Looking Up” |
Attendance: | 200 (est.) |
Tour: | VLA New Mexico Museum of Space History White Sands Missile Range Apache Point Observatories and Dunn Solar Telescope New Mexico Farm anad Ranch Museum Old Mesilla |
AL Award: | Robert L. Gent |
Peltier Award: | Arlo Landolt |
Wright Award: | Ron Kramer |
Sterns Award: | Back Bay Observer, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers, Paul Tartabini, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Shawn Kirchdorfer, Fort Worth Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Theodore Mautz |
AUGUST 10-13, 2016
ARLINGTON, VA
Location: | The Westin, Arlington Gateway |
Host: | Northern Virginia Astronomy Club |
Chair: | David Werth |
Keynote: | Charles F. Bolden, NASA Administrator |
Attendance: | 200 |
Tour: | Smithsonian Museum of Natural Histor Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum U. S. Naval Observatory Goddard Spaceflight Center |
Peltier Award: | Mike Reynolds |
Wright Award: | Tom Lynch |
Sterns Award: | Observations, Chester County Astronomical Society, John Hepler, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Gene Hanson, Milwaukee Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Jayasuriya Senthilvelan and Swagat Bhattacharyya (team) |
H / Smith Award: | Katie Melbourne |
AUGUST 16-19, 2017
ASTROCON ’17 – CASPER, WY
Participants:
Location: | Parkway Plaza Hotel Convention Centre |
Host: | Astronomical League |
Chair: | Lowell Lyon |
Keynote: | Fred Espenak |
Attendance: | 950 |
Tour: | Tate Geological Museum Casper’s Science Zone Casper Planetarium National Historic Trails Museum |
Note: | Approximately 55 vendors |
AL Award: | Jim Fox |
Peltier Award: | Rodney Howe |
Wright Award: | Lowell Lyon and Carroll Iorg (special “Ceres” Award) |
Sterns Award: | The Observer, Twin City Amateur Astronomers, Carl Wenning, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Maurice Wilson, Austin Astronomical Society |
NYAA: | Pern Zilberman |
H / Smith Award: | Sierra Bradley |
JULY 11-14, 2018
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, MN
Location: | Minneapolis Hilton Hotel |
Host: | Minnesota Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Valts Treibergs and Dave Falkner |
Keynote: | Dr. Pamela Gay |
Attendance: | 363 |
Tour: | Bakken Museum Science Museum of Minnesota Casby Observatory Bell Museum and Planetarium Tour Tate Hall and Observatory Tour Eagle Lake Observatory |
Peltier Award: | Damian Peach |
Wright Award: | Valts Treibergs and Dave Falkner |
Sterns Award: | Reflections, Popular Astronomy Club, Terry Dufek, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Shawn Loescher and Curt Lambert, Back Bay Amateur Astronomers |
NYAA: | Vivek Vijayakumar |
H / Smith Award: | Abigail Bollenback |
JULY 24-29, 2019
TITUSVILLE, FL / MARINER OF THE SEAS (BAHAMAS)
Location: | Kennedy Space Center Holiday Inn; Mariner of the Seas |
Chair: | Dr. Maynard Pittendreigh |
Keynote: | Derek Demeter – “New Adventures in Astronomy” |
Attendance: | 148 |
Tour: | Kennedy Space Center Nassau, Bahamas (cruise) |
Peltier Award: | Tom Ryland |
Sterns Award: | Cosmic Messenger, Astronomical Society of Kansas City, Marcia Young, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Jim Hendrickson, Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island |
NYAA: | Ashini Modi |
H / Smith Award: | Tyler McLean Hutchison |
JULY 15-18, 2020 (CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19)
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Location: | Embassy Suites |
Host: | The Albuquerque Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Dee Friesen |
Keynote: | Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 astronaut |
Attendance: | cancelled |
Tour: | Very Large Array cancelled |
AL Award: | Scott Roberts* |
Peltier Award: | Howard Brewington* |
Sterns Award: | News and Views, Indiana Astronomical Society, Bruce Bowman, editor |
NYAA: | Karen Lei* |
H / Smith Award: | Vivek Vijayakumar* |
* awardees honored at ALCon ’21 Virtual
AUGUST 17-19, 2021
ALCON ’21 VIRTUAL (Conducted Online)
Location: | Online (Explore Scientific, Facebook, YouTube) |
Host: | The Astronomical League and Explore Scientific |
Chair: | Terry Mann and Chuck Allen |
Keynote: | Dr. Joceyln Bell Burnell |
Attendance: | 875 registrants (reach of 79,000+ on all platforms) |
Tour: | Virtual tour of VLA Slooh presentation |
Note: | $9,500 in club-sponsored door prizes |
AL Award: | Carolyn Shoemaker |
Peltier Award: | Don Machholz |
Wright Award: | Reflector Team: Kristine Larsen, Kevin Jones, Dan Crowson, Michael Patterson, Carla Johns (Ron Kramer and John Wagoner were previous recipients.) |
Sterns Award: | The W.A.S.P., Warren Astronomical Society, Dale Thieme, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Don Knabb, MERAL |
NYAA: | Ryan Clairmont |
H / Smith Award: | Tyler Westering, Conal Richards (tie) |
JULY 27-30. 2022
ALBUQUERQUE, NM
Location: | Embassy Suites, Albuquerque |
Host: | The Albuquerque Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Jim Fordice and Dee Friesen |
Keynote: | Seth Shostak (banquet) Harrison Schmitt (regular program) |
Attendance: | 195 |
Tour: | Very Large Array |
AL Award: | Aaron Clevenson |
Peltier Award: | Dr. Barbara Harris |
Sterns Award: | The Observer, Twin City Amateur Astronomers, Sandullah Epsichokhan, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Richard Bell |
NYAA: | Harish Krishnakumar |
H / Smith Award: | William Gottemoller |
JULY 26-29, 2023
BATON ROUGE, LA
Location: | Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center , LA |
Host: | Baton Rouge Astronomical Society |
Chair: | Steve Tilley |
Keynote: | David Eicher |
Attendance: | 152 |
Tour: | LIGO Irene Pennington Planetarium Louisiana State University – Physics & Astronomy Highland Road Park Obsersvatory |
AL Award: | David Levy |
Peltier Award: | Julius L. Benton, Jr. |
Wright Award: | Steven Tilley |
Sterns Award: | Prime Focus, Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, Richard Bell, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Bernard Arghiere |
NYAA: | Kaitlyn Wang and Leon Garcia (tie) |
H / Smith Award: | Christina Ding |
2024
KANSAS CITY, MO
Location: | Doubletree by Hilton, Overland Park, KS |
Host: | Astronomical Society of Kansas City |
Chair: | Alan Lehman |
Keynote: | Stephon Alexander |
Attendance: | 175 |
Tour: | Gottlieb Planetarium Linda Hall Library Powell Observatory |
AL Award: | Mitch Glaze |
Peltier Award: | (no award) |
Wright Award: | Bill Dillon |
Sterns Award: | The Delaware Valley Amateur Astronomer, Tom Nolasco, editor |
Webmaster Award: | Toby Sheets |
NYAA: | Valencia Zhang |
H / Smith Award: | Andrew Yu |
2025
ASTROCON ’25 – BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT, June 25-28, 2025
This document was compiled by Chuck Allen in 1996-97 and 2020-23 following his review the following source materials: (1) an extensive collection of convention brochures, Bulletins, Reflectors, articles, photographs, minutes, legal documents, and correspondence files requested from more than 20 past national and regional officers, editors, and activity chairs in 1996, (2) interviews conducted with multiple current and past national and regional officers and activity chairs in 1996 and 2020, (3) all-time digital Reflector archives (1954-2003) and old League officer address listings provided by National Office Coordinator, Mike Stoakes in 2020, (4) documents and membership data provided by National Office Manager, Mitch Glaze in 2020, (5) online scans of Sky & Telescope articles about League conventions, (6) online scans of Stardust, a publication of the National Capital Astronomers, and (7) information provided by John Goss following his review of post-2002 era Reflectors in 2020. Materials referred to in items 1-4, above, are archived in the League’s National Office or are in the possession of the National Office Manager.