Plans for Visual Solar Spectroscope
Components A. Opening to optical box B. Entrance slit made of razor blades C. Baffles to reduce scattering D. Achromat focused on […]
In Memory of Walter Dowhyj
It was with great sadness to learn of the recent death of Walter Dowhyj. Although not a presence lately, in past decades […]
Bill Luzader 1949-2014
Dear Members & Friends of Skyscrapers, Inc., It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing […]
Memories of Bill Luzader from the Planetarium Society
It seemed only right to learn that Bill had died while many of us were at the 2014 International Planetarium Society meeting, […]
Building my Merry-Go-Round Observatory
Having finished building my 17.5-inch Dobsonian in 1982, and having grown weary of schlepping it around by hand truck and two-wheel trailer […]
Observe Delta Cephei
Jim Hendrickson suggested the idea and Steve Siok supported it, so here it is – another challenge for Skyscrapers members to develop […]
John T. Hopf (1920-2011)
John Hopf is shown here with his 6-inch Newtonian telescope, circa 1960. John was an “Amateur Astronomer” in the truest sense – he made […]
The Ships of Sheliak
After two and a half decades of seriously observing the night sky, I have come to the realization that Lyra has become […]
Midland Mall Remembrance
You may be thinking that my editors somehow switched the title of my monthly astronomy column with that of another columnist. What […]
Stella-this and Stella-that
When I was just a little lad I longed to go to Stellafad,That magic spot in far Vermont – the mystic place […]
The “Little Big Dipper”
Decades ago, amateur astronomical equipment was dominated by the humble 60mm long-focus achromat. Some time later, the trend migrated towards large aperture […]
Celebrating the Sesquicentennial Birthday of Frank Evans Seagrave (1860–1934)
Frank Evans Seagrave was born March 29, 1860, son of Mary Greene (Evans) and George Augustus Seagrave. George was a wealthy owner […]
Heaven’s View Observatory
Well, I spent my first year and a half with my new scope setting it up on clear nights either in my […]
Reflections on Three Decades of Variable Star Observing
Sometimes I feel that my thirty years of variable star observing have been about as variable as the variable stars themselves. Next […]
How I became an Amateur Astronomer
Here are a few vivid memories of events from my childhood and youth which guided me along the path of amateur astronomy. […]
Vivian Hartnett Remembered
It is with great sadness I must inform you of the passing of a dear long-time member, Vivian Hartnett. Viv joined Skyscrapers back […]
Some Memorable Nights
The vast majority of my approximately 5,000 variable star observing sessions have been fairly routine affairs with no exceptional features to set […]
Astronomy & Archaeology Intersect in the American Southwest
Rick Lynch at TuzigootFor the last two decades I have visited the Southwest United States on a regular basis for interests in […]
How I became an Amateur Astronomer
I don’t remember becoming an amateur astronomer. In all my time on this planet, I haven’t one memory of not appreciating the […]
An Amateur Astronomer’s Life
I was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 17, 1953. In 1959 my father’s job change moved our family to Warwick, […]
How I became an Amateur Astronomer
Well, Let Me See— I guess it all started when I was 8 or 9 years old. Once again, November arrived and, […]
The “Conjunction” of Frank Seagrave and Percival Lowell
Soon after I joined Skyscrapers, which is now more than 31 years ago, I became very interested in the history of our […]
My Life as an Amateur Astronomer
When I was younger, I received a telescope for Christmas one year. It had to be sometime in the early to mid […]
Just Another Planet Book?
When our local town librarian called my attention to a new addition to our library, I wondered if it were just another […]
My Life as an Amateur Astronomer
I have always been fascinated by Astronomy. Growing up in Douglas, Massachusetts, I remember when I was a little boy looking up […]
Portable Planetarium Show Transcript
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to our portable planetarium, which, as far as we know, is the first in the world of this […]
Skyscrapers Portable Planetarium Project
In my capacity as Skyscraper historian during the past couple of decades, I have endeavored to enlighten members, both old and new, […]
Brian Magaw: A Remembrance
10th Anniversary Remembrance Ten years ago this July, Skyscrapers were both ecstatic and sad at the same time. While we and the […]
An Historic 8¼” Alvan Clark Returns to its Former Glory
I can remember my first visit to Seagrave Observatory in N. Scituate, Rhode Island as clearly as though I’d been there yesterday. […]
Stardust Memories: Frank E. Seagrave and Halley’s Comet
During the fall of 1909 “prophets” and doomsayers were predicting dire earthly calamities because of a forthcoming celestial event — the return […]