Convention History

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, BulletinsReflectors, 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.

 

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