Come to NEAF April 17-18

This weekend make plans to attend the largest annual astronomy trade show in America, at the Rockland Community College campus in Suffern, New York — the Northeast Astronomy Forum & Telescope Show (NEAF). Sponsored by the Rockland Astronomy Club and Sky & Telescope, NEAF features the latest telescopes and accessories from more than 100 vendors. It also showcases talks by leading amateur and professional astronomers, and workshops geared toward all levels of hobbyist, from beginner to advanced.

Some of this year's marquee speakers include Alex Filippenko of UC Berkeley, Pamela Gay (Southern Illinois University), and Attilla Danko, creator of the Clear Sky Charts. Many activities will be available for families, including solar observing and planetarium viewing.

This year all the editors of Sky & Telescope will be in attendance. Do you have a question about the magazine or our website? Then stop by our table near the front door and have a chat with your favorite editor.

Click here to see videotaped interviews with vendors at NEAF 2009.

The two days preceding NEAF, the Holiday Inn in Suffern, New York will host the Northeast Astro-Imaging Conference (NEAIC). There will be something of interest for astrophotographers of every experience level. This year, the conference will focus on how amateurs can contribute to the science of Astronomy. Featured speakers include Minor Planet specialist Brian D. Warner, Stephen Levine of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, and Dan Duriscoe of the National Park Service Night Sky Team. Attendees are also encouraged to share their imaging projects in the conference poster session. And of course, see the latest imaging equipment and accessories from leading manufacturers. For more details, see the NEAIC website.