Milwaukee Astronomical Society

 

Historical Archive 1970-1979

The highlights of this period are the building of 12 portascopes, the start of the eclipsing binary program, the complete renovation of the A-Scope, and plans for a 26-inch telescope.

MAS grounds around 1975

Observatory Grounds in 1975. From a postcard produced by the club. View from the SW looking NE.

The portascopes

Portascopes, 1974. From left: Jim Toeller, Paul Murn, Virgil Tangney, Ken Krahn, Bill Collins, Bill Albrecht, and Ed Halbach.

11 of 12 Portascopes in 1974 with Bill Collins

11 of the 12 Portascopes in 1974 with Bill Collins.

A-Scope in 1978 after renovation

A-Scope in 1978 after the renovation and becoming the Edward A. Halbach Telescope.

11 of 12 MAS Portascopes in 1974

MAS Portascopes in 1974 when they were completed.

Grazing Occultation result

Grazing Occultation Results. From a very successful grazing occultation of Z-8200 on April 25-26, 1977.

View of the west portion of the MAS observatory from the north looking south

MAS West grounds from the North looking South.

MAS East grounds from the North looking South

MAS East grounds from the North looking South.

View of the Quonset and A-Dome  from the north looking south

View of the Quonset and A-Dome from the north looking south.

B-Scope in 1974

B-Scope in 1974. It now has a clock drive, but no RA circle.

Patrol Camera Hood

Patrol Camera Hood.

Patrol Camera

Patrol Camera in 1974.

Comet Seeker pillar shortly after its erection

Comet Seeker Pillar. That is a Purple Martin Bird House on top temporarily there until the cab was finished and mounted.

Comet Seeker pillar without the Martin bird house. Around 1976.

Comet Seeker pillar with the bird house gone as it was now erected on its own pole.

Big Dipper over A-Dome

Big Dipper over A-Dome. Photo by John Asztalos. April 1979.

1979. Spring - Orion & Sirius over B-Dome

1979. Spring - Orion & Sirius over B-Dome

1978, December - Sunset over B-Dome

1978, December - Sunset over B-Dome

1977 - Ray Zit and his 14 inch reflector

Ray Zit with his 14.25" f/5 reflector on a trailer hitch fork mount. April, 1977.

Proposed astronomical observatory

A Proposed Astronomical Observatory. 1977 appeal for support for moving the observatory with a new 26 inch telescope.

Luverne Armfield - Professional portrait

Luverne Armfield. Professional business portrait. Around 1970.

MAS Eclipsing Binary Team. Gerry Samolyk (left) and Gary Wedemayer (right).

MAS Eclipsing Binary Team. Gerry Samolyk (left) and Gary Wedemayer (right).