History of the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg:

The Years 1971 through 1974 were a fitting sequel to "After the Ball is over" as "And the Band played on.

In February of 1971 the maintenance chairman Bob Hoover was inducted into the Society. The same month treated us to a lunar eclipse. The start of the eclipse at 2:45 A.M. did not deter amateur astronomers. It was the most publicized eclipse, and resulted in seven local newspaper articles. About the same time ASH received the donation of a Maksutov telescope from member builder Walter Gordon, later Earl Brooks loaned the Society a 12.5" f/9 reflector. The scope was housed in a small 8 X 12 foot building.

Donation of a Gregory-Maksutov Telescope to the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg on March 8, 1971. Robert Thompson is at left, Walter Gordon the Donator/Builder is at Center, and Vice President Harold Bitner is at Right, Scanned in By TANII

Dr. Lubos Kohoutek discovered a comet March 2, 1973. From all observations, it was predicted to approach Halley's in brightness. The public's interest rose as it approached the sun. Bob Young, the Society president at the time, said that it looked like a small star with a fuzzy tail. Although the public was disappointed ASH members didn't seem to mind following another comet. After all, bright comets are not that common!

1973 also saw a wedding take place at the site when Dave and Wanda Wilson, who had spent many hours together observing at the site, decided to get married there. Bob and Jacky King happened to be at the site for some minor maintenance and attended the wedding.

A "first" happened in August, 1974 when the Stardust was printed by computer. The project proved to be inefficient and expensive and was discarded after the first and only issue. So much for historic occasions.

1974 closed out with Project 3000, initiated on October 1, 1974 its purpose was to finance increased operating expenses at the site and to buy much needed new equipment to aid in operations and research. The goal was to sell raffle tickets, give 50% of the proceeds in prizes and use the remaining 50% for financing. 6000 raffle books were sold and $800 realized with two prizes won by people from the Mt. Wolf and Duncannon.