History of the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg:

As the constellations wheeled through the heavens and announced the changing seasons, so ASH harbored its dreams and slowly watched their approaching fulfillment. However, ASH was not asleep. It became more vigorous with an increase 'in membership and dedication to the furthering of the science. Members continued gaining knowledge and participated 'n manning activities for that purpose.

In January 1962 they attended a lecture at Lebanon Valley College by Dr. Frank B. Wood on the "Birth. Life and Death of Stars." The society followed this program sponsored by the American Astronomical Society with a joint sponsorship involving the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction and ASH for educating science teachers. This program consisted of an open forum with members of DPI and ASH as panelists and lectors. The program concluded with an account of "Recent Soviet Space Achievements"' by Dr. Carl Bauer of DPI and a slide program of the "Origin of the Universe" by Dr. Richard Eiss of DPI.

In April 1962 the society announced an essay contest for seventh, eighth and ninth grade pupils in Cumberland and Dauphin Counties. The essay topic related to the prizes offered, which were a 4 1/4 inch telescope as first prize, a 6x telescope as second prize and four subscriptions to SKY magazine as third, fourth and fifth prizes. First and second prize winners also received a subscription to SKY magazine. The essay, "Why I Want an Astronomical Telescope and How I Will Use it, "by David Spier won the first prize. In latter years both David and his father became active members of ASH.

Then Vice-President Bob King and Secretary Lenore Piscioneri evaluate the 4 1/2 Telescope Prize for the Writing Contest, Scanned in by TANII.

Maintaining a high profile during these years seemed commonplace for ASH. Space programs and satellite launchings maintained public interest. With every announcement of such activity members of ASH were sought out and questioned on the program. When it was proposed to establish an artificial belt of "copper needles" around earth. ASH quickly responded with its objections and freely commented on how such a belt would interfere with visual and radio observations. The program was abandoned.

A close alignment of Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Mars brought the usual announcements of catastrophic events which were to accompany. this celestial portrayal. ASH publicly denounced such commentary and used the media to help stem the unwarranted concern. However, it capitalized on the event by holding numerous star parties for the public.

With the increase 'in 'interest in astronomy, ASH began a course in astronomy, ASH began a course in astronomy at the Harrisburg YWCA. Public response was good and new members were collected. However, public 'interest rose and fell with each space activity, and the continuation of the course was abandoned. The launching of ECHO I and 11 had a positive effect and ASH responded with numerous activities for the public schools and its members.

Robert Thompson at Left works to grind the mirror with a machine he constructed with the help of Ed Naylor. They are grinding the mirror for the Society's 12.5" inch Dall-Kirkham Telescope, Scanned in by TANII.

About this time, the plans for the society telescope were public and ASH received considerable publicity since it was to be the largest telescope available to the public between Swarthmore and Pittsburgh. The society accelerated its construction efforts so that its own 'home-made" 12 1/2" Cassegranian Telescope was unveiled for public view in the lobby of the new State Museum. Photos of the instrument were impressive and many amateur and professional astronomers visited the Museum to see the telescope.

Our 12.5" Society Built Telescope is put on Display at the State Museum, Evening News Article 1965, Scanned in by TANII.

Naturally, the telescope brought the need for an observatory and observing site into public focus and a search r a suitable site was started. Even the media participated with announcements of the need and alerted the public to contact ASH members if they knew of an appropriate location. Unfortunately, most of there leads were unacceptable or 'inappropriate for the Society's operations. The seriousness of owning a site and the proposed use of the telescope brought a new awareness of its responsibilities to the members and the Society applied for and received its corporate charter as a non-profit, educational corporation seeking to promote interest, education and advancement in the science of astronomy. ASH now was ready to embark on a most challenging project - the establishment of an Observatory and Center Devoted to Astronomy.