May 21-25, 2015 Camp Oakes Big Bear, California

2015 - New Horizons in Astronomy Hello and welcome to the 47th RTMC Astronomy Expo! As usual, our program, with your help, will encompass all aspects of amateur astronomy from beginning to advanced topics and from telescope making and serious observing to "armchair" astronomy and outreach. I hope you will contribute to the program in some way. Listen to the presentations in the dining hall or, better yet, make a presentation yourself. There will be the usual Merit Awards and Astrophotography Competition. Our keynote speaker this year is Chuck Claver, LSST System Scientist, who has been working on a new optical design for a 8.4m 3-degeee field of view Paul-Baker telescope that would eventually become the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. This design will be able to survey the entire visible sky deeply in multiple colors. Plans for sharing the date from LSST with the public are as ambitious as the telescope itself. Come listen to Chuck Claver and hear the exciting news. We also have Robert Reeves who will be conducting a lunar imaging workshop where he will review the sequence of meticulous but easy to perform steps to achieve quality lunar images that you never believed your telescope was capable of. Robert Reeves will also be giving a talk on The Best of 365 Days of the Moon, subtitled: Exploring and Understanding the Moon. Robert Reeves will use highlights from his popular image series “365 Days of the Moon” to explore telescopic lunar delights and explain the origin and geology of lunar features to promote an understanding of the Moon's face. We hope you will bring your telescope up to the Telescope Field. A limited number of power outlets will be available for telescopes; computers and cameras (bring a long, high amperage extension cord and power strip) first come first served, or bring your own battery). Setting up on the field is one of the great social aspects of observing at RTMC AE. As in previous years, events are included for the whole family. Hikes, mountain biking, swimming, and canoeing are available for EVERYONE. As always, we welcome your ideas and your help to improve the RTMC Astronomy Expo. See you in May! My name is Donald Hunt and I am the new Poobah. After High School I joined the US Navy and served 4 years active duty as an Air Traffic Controller. It was in the Navy that I became interested in Astronomy. After my honorable discharge I attended Riverside City College majoring in Criminal Justice “Minor General Science”. I finished my two year degree at San Bernardino Valley College while a Police Officer with the City of Redlands. I also earned my B.A. and Masters Degree from the University of Redlands. I took an early retirement from Redlands PD to become a High School science teacher and administrator. I have been attending RTMC since 1982 and became a volunteer a few years later. Don Hunt Grand Poobah The Lesser

2015 R TM C A ST RONOM Y E XPO

Astro Imaging Exhibition We would love to feature your work as part of the AstroImaging Exhibition. You are highly encouraged to bring a print of a favorite image you have produced since last year's conference in any or all of five categories: Solar System, Deep Sky, Eclipses/Transits, Meteors and Atmospheric Effects, Other astronomically related images.

Above: Charles Morris, the 2013 "Solar System" winner.

Presenters Needed RTMC AE is well noted for its programs. We have three venues, all going all weekend, so there is plenty to see and hear. We are looking for talks related to this year’s theme: New Horizons in Astronomy. As usual, we invite you to present information about telescope making, equipment, visual observing, imaging, outreach, or any and all other aspects of our hobby. If you would like to make a presentation, lead a workshop, chair a panel, or reserve time for a special interest group meeting, please send an abstract, audio-visual requirements & a brief (50 words) biography by April 15th to: Charles Morris at [email protected].

Telescope Makers

Pictures must be unframed and from 8x10 to 16 x 20 (if matted, do not exceed 16 x 20 mat). Register from Friday, 1:00pm until Saturday, 1:00pm in the Pavilion (in front of the main dining hall). Entry and contest rules are at www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org. RTMC AE attendees will enjoy your work and have an opportunity to vote for their favorites. Winners will be named Sunday night.

Beginner’s Corner Come check out the fun things going on for all ages! You can hear talks about The Basic Telescopes, Observing Techniques, Eyepiece Basics, Overview of Astronomy, Messier Objects, Understanding Star Charts, and so much more! And have you ever walked the entire Solar System? Well you can (sort of). Meet at the front of Bose Lodge during the day for a very informative and fun “walk” thru the Solar System. You can also get a guided Tour of the Constellations at night in the Amphitheater next to Bose Lodge.

In 1969, the tradition started with the "Telescope Makers Conference" at Riverside City College. All these years later, RTMC Astronomy Expo is still a great Telescope Maker's Conference! If you have designed a telescope, bring it so others can see your innovative designs or craftsmanship in telescope making. Be sure to register for the Merit Awards program. All entries must be completed (not "Under Construction") and must be located on the Telescope Field, Telescope Alley, or Meadow. Judging is on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning with Merit Awards named Saturday evening.

Show and Tell If you have an image, movie, or short PowerPoint that you would like to share with the astro-crowd, please bring it to the main hall on Friday night after dinner. At "Show and Tell" you can do a little informal bragging on what you have done without making too big a deal of it. Simply bring the file on a separate CD or thumb drive, clearly labeled with your name and which files you want shown, to the AV volunteers in front. It really helps if you have set the separate images into a short presentation (PowerPoint or other simple viewer), rather than relying on the AV folks to find the separate files. Be ready to say a few words to the audience. Limit yourself to five minutes, please!

2015 R TM C A ST RONOM Y E XPO

Family Fun Camp Oakes will have a schedule of various activities offered by the Camp. Everyone may enjoy the swimming pool, lake canoes, archery, mountain biking (your own bike), climbing tower, catch & release fishing, and zip line (costs $5 per ride). The schedule listing times and locations for these activities will be posted at the Main Hall, Bose Hall and the Information Booth. Be sure to check it out when you arrive so you don't miss out on anything. See you there! Sorry, Camp Oakes has discontinued Kids Kamp.

Nightfall Nightfall is still going strong! Come join the fun at the Palm Canyon Resort in Borrego Springs, CA. This year it will be Nov. 5 – Nov. 8, 2015. Make your reservations now at: http://www.palmcanyonrvresort.com/ Borrego Springs is the second international IDA dark sky community. See www.nightfallstarparty.com for all the details. Sponsored by: The Riverside Astronomical Society.

AstroPhotography Workshop

Swap meet This year we will again be having our swap meet on BOTH Saturday and Sunday mornings. So dig deep in those closets, garages, and storage units for all that extra stuff you don’t use. Sell it, make some money and gain some space - for some new stuff!

Craig Stark will be leading the RTMC AE Premium Astrophoto workshop this year. Taking some time off from his day job as a neuroscientist at UC Irvine, Craig has developed a new & up to date presentation on the intricacies of astro-cameras & equipment, and how to use them and the related software. Craig developed PHD Guiding, Nebulosity, and other free and low cost software, and anyone who has spent time with him knows him for his easy going and practical explanations of what needs to be done to take and process a great image. Where do you sweat? Where do you relax? Craig will show you in this new presentation featuring the latest developments in equipment and software. Craig has presented at various workshops throughout the country, has created how-to tutorials, and reviewed new equipment and techniques in various magazines and on the web. He has a lowkey get it done style, backed by an extensive knowledge of how imaging works. Whether you are just beginning, or want to probe some deep stuff with somebody who really knows it, this workshop is your opportunity. Held Sunday, May 24th from 10am—4pm Register early, space is limited!

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO. 41

A proud supporter of the RTMC for over 40 years! Location Longitude 116° 45' 21" West Latitude 34° 13' 45" North Altitude 7228 feet (2203 meters) Moonrise (PDT); Moonset in daylight Thursday, May 21: Moonrise 08:02, Moonset 22:07 Friday, May 22: Moonrise 08:58, Moonset 22:49 Saturday, May 23: Moonrise 09:53, Moonset 23:00 Sunday, May 24: Moonrise 10:48, Moonset 23:27 Monday, May 25: Moonrise 11:41, Moonset 00:02 Contact Information Registration: [email protected] Vendor Chairman: [email protected] Merit Awards: [email protected] Speaker Chairman: [email protected]

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NAME _______________________________________________ Phone# _____________ Note: Vendors, please use the form at http://www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org/vendors.htm ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________ CITY__________________________________ STATE___________ ZIP___________ EMAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________

TO REGISTER 1. Complete the registration form.

Weekend Admission (Includes Up to Four Nights Camping)

Cost

Cost

Times

Equals

Before

After

# of

Amount

May 3

May 3

People

2. Make checks payable to:

Adults, per person

$36

$48

Riverside Telescope Makers Conference.

Children Ages 5 to 17.

$16

$18

3. Mail your Registration to:

Under 5 Free

Riverside Telescope Makers Conference

Dorms— Adults (does not include admission)

$13

$13

Dorms— ages 5-17, under 5 free (does not include admission)

$7

$7

$70

$95

$100

$130

Day Use Cost

After

Times

Equals

May 3

# of

Amount

P.O. Box 20243 Riverside, CA 92516

**Special Rates**

OR

2 Adults only

You may use PayPal to register online at:

**Special Rates** 2 Adults, 2 Children

www.rtmcastronomyexpo.org/registration.html Pre-registration closes May 3rd Do not mail or use PayPal/website registration after May 3, 2015 Your request will not be processed. You may register on-site when you arrive.

DAY USE ONLY No Camping or Dorms Included in Price

People

Adults, per person

$18/Day

$23/day

Children Ages 5 to 17

$13/Day

$15/day

$35

$45

$60

$75

Under 5 Free **Special Rates** 2 Adults only **Special Rates** 2 Adults, 2 Children

Refunds: Notify the conference in writing by June 5.

Craig Stark Astro-Imaging

Times

PayPal Service Fees are not refundable.

Workshop

# of People ________

No refunds for weather-related causes.

$50 per person

(In addition to Camping or

Day Use Admission)

CAR How many vehicles? ______ PASSES How many people in each vehicle? _________

We reserve the right to refuse any application.

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