Stellafane or Bust – Sky & Telescope

The tailgate of a black pickup truck with a strip of paper tape stuck to it with "Stellafane or Bust" written on it in black sharpie. — After seeing a few “Stellafane or Bust” bumper stickers on the way up to Vermont, this attendee decided to make his own with items he had on hand.
*Meg Thacher / S&T*

Meg Thacher:

This was my first Stellafane ever, though I’ve heard stories about it for a while, and it definitely lived up to expectations! The people were friendly, the telescopes were impressive, and the breakfast sandwiches were delicious. Luckily, I was accompanied by Stellafane veteran Sabrina Garvin, my tour guide for the weekend.

Stellafane attendees sitting in front of the Pink Clubhouse on Breezy Hill. — Stellafane attendees bask in the Sun below (or hiding in the shadows of) the Pink Clubhouse.
*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

The weather this year was excellent: temperatures were comfortable in the 70s during the day, and it was clear and cool at night. We got plenty of visitors to the Sky & Telescope solar observing station, featuring a Heliostar H-alpha telescope on loan from Sky-Watcher. Unfortunately, staffing the telescope meant that I didn’t get to attend many talks in the Flanders Pavilion. But when I did, I learned about astrophotography with a cellphone, the history of Stellafane, and that you can never have too many telescopes. Three days just aren’t enough to fit everything in.

This year, *S&T* joined in the Solar Observing Hour with a solar scope of our own from Sky-Watcher.
*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

But the highlight of Stellafane was wandering around the observing field under a Bortle 3 sky, looking through telescopes, and meeting their builders. I ignored my fear of heights to view M13 through a 17-inch Dobsonian (yes, I’m pretty sure I saw the propellor). I viewed M17, the Omega Nebula (also called the Swan Nebula), “live” for the first time — through several telescopes (it was by far the most popular object). M20, the Trifid Nebula, and M8, the Lagoon Nebula, were brighter and sharper than I’ve ever seen them thanks to O III filters. And because Stellafane is cleverly scheduled during the new Moon in August, I caught four bright Perseids skimming Earth’s atmosphere, leaving trains behind them.

The observing field came alive Saturday night with hundreds of amateurs, their telescopes, and their red lights.
*Astromania*

The point of Stellafane for most attendees is the chance to talk telescopes with people who know what they’re talking about — describing the trials and tribulations of grinding a mirror, their clever innovation for beating flexure, or the thrill of the hunt for a faint nebula. There’s a strong sense of camaraderie and collaboration as telescope makers share ideas, successes, and horror stories.

This year’s Stellafane Convention was a special one: It’s been 100 years since the Springfield Telescope Makers first convention (though not the 100th convention, thanks to a world war and a pandemic). On the gathering’s final night, Club President Cecilia Detrich outlined their goals for the next 100 years. It includes outreach and dark-sky preservation, as well as upkeep and expansion of the facilities on Breezy Hill. I can’t wait till next year!

Observers wait with anticipation on an observing field bristling with telescopes as the Sun sets. A red glow can be seen coming from the small domed observatory at the center. — The observing field bristles with telescopes as eager amateurs watch the Sun set over the western horizon of Breezy Hill.
*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

Sabrina Garvin:

Thanks to everyone who came to speak with us this year and looked through our solar scope! We adore hearing all your stories about your first issue of Sky & Telescope and your favorite articles. We met so many new, old, and soon-to-be subscribers this year. We appreciate all your support and kind words!

Meg Thacher sits on a plastic chair signing a copy of her book while the young girl who won the book in a raffle looks on. — Meg Thacher signs a copy of her book *Sky Gazing: A Guide to the Moon, Sun, Planets, Stars, Eclipses, Constellations* for an excited young raffle winner while the members of the Springfield Telescope Makers patiently wait for the adult raffle to begin.
*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

The weather at Stellafane this year was incredible, although it did get a bit chilly at night for those of us who stayed out on the observing field far too late, mesmerized by the stunning views of the Milky Way. As Meg mentioned, we got to see a bunch of nebulae and galaxies up-close thanks to some generous folks with big scopes (and presumably even bigger trucks). And Saturday night we even received a surprise visit from a Falcon 9 rocket on its return trip, but since I wasn’t able to snatch a photo, I’ll let Michael Conway tell you all about it: Falcon 9 video.

I second Meg when she wrote that three days is just not enough time to enjoy all that Stellafane has to offer. The Springfield Telescope Makers have kept the schedule well padded with exciting events these past few years. It seems like I can hardly stop to have a conversation without needing to jettison off to some new and inspiring talk or demonstration! But I was able to make a quick stop at the telescope building competition. It’s so much fun to listen to the builders talk about their telescopes and all the hard work they put into them. Here are some pictures I took of just a few of the scopes on display this year:

Many regular attendees couldn’t make the pilgrimage to the top of Breezy Hill this year because they made a different kind of pilgrimage: to witness the total solar eclipse in Iceland and Spain. Despite the eclipse, the Stellafane grounds felt as bustling as ever — but sadly, a few attendees made their final trek up the mountain last year. Before the keynote talk, the Springfield Telescope makers held a beautiful tribute to these friends who now venture among the stars, including long-time member and Connecticut firefighter Dennis Cassia (1951–2025) and Tele Vue Optics’s Al Nagler (1935–2025).

A group of Springfield Telescope Makers members sitting to the left of a white projection screen. The members are all holding glowing, battery-powered tea lights, and the projection screen has a picture of a cartoon astronaut sitting on Saturn holding a heart. The Screen reads — The members of the Springfield Telescope Makers raise tealights in honor of telescope optics pioneer and long-time Stellafane attendee and supporter Al Nagler (1935–2025).

*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

Stellafane attendees hold up candles to honor Al Nagler — Stellafane attendees hold up candles in honor of Al Nagler.
*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

On a lighter note, my cousin and I had great fun at the now official Boardgame Night in the McGregor Library while waiting for sunset on Friday night. And of course there’s always time for a quick game of cornhole.

A group of Stellafane attendees play a round of cornhole on a solar system themed set against a background of leafy green trees and bushes. — A group of Stellafane attendees stop to enjoy a game of cornhole on one of the solar-system-themed sets placed around Breezy Hill.
*Sabrina Garvin / S&T*

Special thanks to Club President Cecilia Detrich and the other Springfield Telescope Makers for all the hard work they put in every year. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year. Keep your eyes peeled for the big, red Sky & Telescope sign.

Here’s to big scopes and clear, dark skies!

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