I have been coming to the Northeast Astronomy Forum now since about 1990. It is the largest gathering in the United States for amateur astronomers to gather for talks from astronomers and astronauts and authors, and then to wander in this huge gymnasium and see anything having to do with astronomy that an amateur could want. Telescopes, mounts, eyepieces, software, accessories and everything else. It feels as if now I own one of everything, so I didn't buy anything this year! :-)
It is also a wonderful experience to meet and talk with friends I only see twice a year, perhaps, both here and at Stellafane in Vermont. These are two of my longtime friends in the Antique Telescope Society that I have known just about as long at NEAF has been in existence. And the other half of this event is to be standing next to someone you don't know, while looking at some astronomical object and then start a conversation which can go on for 20 minutes, as happened to me today on a couple of occasions. I think that is now perhaps my main reason for attending these days.
And I need to mention various raffles from the different manufacturers or dealers. This is a group of hopefuls hoping to win either some astronomical filters, or some solar filter material, or some glassware with a manufacturer's name on it, or maybe some ski hats or baseball hats. I WON A BASEBALL HAT! So, another perfect day at NEAF!
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