Jim Bartolini
I got (back) into astronomy in 1991. I've been coming to the TAC-sponsored star parties ever since
1994, when we began our multi-night events at Lassen National Park. As usual, I will be bringing my
16" homemade Dob; for those magnificent dark skies that await us at GSSP, a 16" on an equatorial
platform is the only way to go. Of course, my laptop will accompany me so I can utilize my night sky
software for object location, and my own custom-written software application will allow me to record
all of my observations as they occur.
In addition to my 16" Dob, I have a homemade 10" Dob, an Orion ST120 refractor, a "brand new" 30-year-old C5, a storebought-then-rebuilt equatorial platform, and other various and sundry pieces of equipment, many of which I've made. I enjoy making/modifying telescopes and associated equipment as much as using them.
Newbies and veteran astronomers alike are always welcome to take a peek through my scopes and discuss my equipment, so stop by anytime.
I
received my first telescope sometime in the mid-1950's, a long-tubed cardboard
affair from Montgomery Wards. In 1970 I earned my degree in Astronomy from
San Diego State University.
I've
been into Astronomy since I was a kid growing up in N.J. I had a 60mm
trashco refractor,but I loved it. I had no help or support or clubs to
go to, so everything I found was a new discovery all on my own.
I
have loved astronomy since I was in kindergarten. I began attending SJAA
events with my father in 1995. Around the turn of the century, I began
actively imaging, experiencing the transition from film to digital. I
wish to continue expanding my "exposure" to both the visual
astronomy and imaging world.
I'll be traveling from Orange County CA near Disneyland. I have been
in the hobby on and off since I had a 60mm telescope as a kid in the late
60s. Most recently I started up again in 1997 when I moved from Rochester
NY to L.A. I am a product of the space age having been born in 1959 and
enjoy astronomy, physics, space sciences, etc.. Currently I own 45cm, 20cm,and
10cm scopes. I am a commercial Java EE Software Architect working in Pasadena
CA. I am married and am raising 6 wonderful cats. 
I've
been an astronomy addict since 10 years old when I organized an astronomy
club with kids on my block. Over the past 30 years I've been slogging through
the entire 7500 entries in the NGC with over 
I've
been a telescope maker and observer since the late 1970's. I will be bringing
two telescopes, my
My
name is Tony Hallas ... I will be attending with my wife, Daphne. I am sort
of an astrophotographer / viewer ... split personality ... I will be bringing
my new JMI 14.5" f/4 binoculars and a small CCD setup for imaging.
I am a veteran of the Alturas area for viewing ... this is the darkest sky
left in the US ... no pollution plume to the west (unless Shasta blows)
and no light pollution plus some elevation. It doesn't get any better than
this! Can't wait!
I
became interested in Amateur astronomy after I stopped working as an Engineer
in 2002. I had been eclipse chasing prior to that. I bought a small telescope
for the 2002 eclipse and wanted other uses for it. That led to joining SJAA
and borrowing, building, and buying a series of other scopes that ultimately
lead to my 15" Plettstone.
I joined a couple of local astronomy clubs and borrowed a telescope about 18 years ago. However, my interest turned "serious" 8-9 years ago when I started building telescopes and reserving New Moon weekends for trips to remote dark sites. I typically observe at Plettstone and Dinosaur Point. I enjoy galaxy hunting, trips "Down Under," and helping others build their ideal scope. I'm the guy in the power wheelchair.
I’ve
been hooked into astronomy when I looked at Saturn through a friend’s
telescope. That was more than 30 years ago. My parents purchased a 60mm
refractor for me, which I observed almost all of the Messier objects.
I gradually upgraded over the decades through the venerable RV-6 Dynascope,
Celestron C-8, through a 16” and currently a 22” reflector.
I observed for more than 30 years, compiling many volume of notes and
sketches. I travel to very dark star parties, such as Oregon Star Party,
Texas Star Party and Golden State Star Party.
Hi, my name
is George LaBelle. I've been dabbling in astronomy for 30 years and imaging
for 10 years. I'll be bringing a C-14 with Hyperstar and Canon 40D camera.
I'll probably bring my Tak FS-128 as well. My wife Jeanine will be bringing
her Meade 8" LX-200. I'm also a ham radio op. WB6YZZ and will be
bringing radio equipment.
A TACo transplanted to San Diego in 2000, I try to never miss the
annual TAC summer event.
I'm
an amateur astronomer and telescope/mirror maker for over 20 years. Professionally,
for 7 years now I own Lightholder Optics; a Newtonian mirror optics business
specializing in quality telescope mirrors and fast focal ratio astrograph
telescope optics.
I
made my first refractor, a 5" f-15 achromat back in the mid 1960's.
Since that time, 
I've
been interested in astronomy and space ever since Sputnik and Echo 1. When
I was about 13, my dad got a cheap 50mm refractor
telescope, and I fell in love with Jupiter and Saturn and some deep sky
objects with mysterious names like M13 and M7 in the Messier catalog. In
college I took several astronomy courses, including a couple taught by Ivan
King. In 1996, I began using a 10" Dobsonian, with which I completed
my first survey of the Messier catalog (from my backyard). In 2000, I acquired
an 18" truss-tube dob, and began exploring much fainter deep sky objects,
including most of the members of the Hickson catalog of compact galaxy groups.
At this time I also started 
A dedicated amateur astronomer and telescope/instrument
maker for over 5 decades, I own and run Equatorial Platforms, an equipment
manufacturing business specializing in custom drives for Dobsonian telescopes
and in complete telescope systems.
I have the singular honor of directing this event, and look forward
every year to meeting those who are new to GSSP and, of course, checking
in with our returning compadres. I've enjoyed amateur astronomy since
I was a kid and mainly observe using my 10" home-built newt and a
Zenithstar refractor. I'm also starting to dabble in astro-photography
as part of my activities with the Mount Diablo Observatory. I'm currently
Interim Director of the Chabot Telescope Makers' Workshop, observing coordinator
for the Mount Diablo astronomy programs, and Treasurer of the AANC. 
My
third grade teacher, put me into the realm of outer space when we studied
the solar system. Decades later, I connected with TAC and I was off and
running. My first telescope was a 10" Dob, perfect to start my Messier
hunt. I continued on to find all of the Herschel 400, then the Herschel
800, and now, eleven years later with a Starmaster 14.5" Dob, I am
finishing the Herschel 2500. I have been on the GSSP organizational committee
for five years now and this is the highlight of my year. I have been privileged
to observe with Steve Gottlieb, Mark Wagner, Richard Navarette, Michelle
Stone, Jim Bartolini, Bob Czerwinski, John Gleason, and TAC-SAC's Alvin
Huey, Jane Smith, and Randy Muller, They have made me the amateur astronomer
I am today and I can't wait to be among these great observing astronomers
again this July. This year will be the best ever! (Photographer of Mimi
Wagner on the cover of Sky & Telescope's September 2000 publication,
along with her other photos of Steve Gottlieb and Mark Wagner in the article.)
Active in amateur astronomy since 1995. Love observing under just
about any conditions and with anything that has a lens. Created and run
several docent programs at California state parks for astronomy and other
naturalist activities. Owner of 
My
name is Nick Tsakoyias, and I've been involved with astronomy for the past
eight years, I am strictly a visual observer and enjoy refractors, I will
be bringing with me the very rare SV127. I am also involved with the Mt.
Diablo Astronomical Society, being a chair person and board member for the
past eight years, currently I am its President.
I'm
Mark Wagner, shown in the picture with my daughter Mimi (Sky & Telescope's
original "Messier Monster" 
I've
been an amateur astronomer and telescope maker for well over 20 years.
Since grinding and figuring my first mirror as a teenager, I haven't been
able to shake the ATM bug. When not out observing, I can usually be found
in my workshop making my usual product: scrap metal. Occasionally, I get
lucky, and I make a rather nice instrument. A few can be seen at my website: