Bill Weber: 1954-2025
With sadness, I report the passing of Skyscrapers member Bill Weber. I spoke with his wife, Mary, this afternoon and she provided […]
Category: Our Members
Introducing Asteroid 15022 Francinejackson
On February 24, 2025, the International Astronomical Union Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) recognized Francine Jackson’s contributions to astronomy education […]
In Loving Memory of David A Huestis (1953-2024)
It is with sadness that I write this in memory of my friend, traveling companion, confidant, and, eventually, my brother, David A […]
David Huestis: A Remembrance
On October 27, 1985, while browsing through the Sunday Providence Journal newspaper I noticed an article entitled: Halley’s Comet Coming at You. […]
Remembering Dave Huestis
by Joyce Towne, Planetarium Consultant & Francine Jackson It’s always difficult to write about a person known for many years, and Dave […]
Frank Evans Seagrave: A Timeline of His Life & Contributions in Historical Context: 1900 – 1910
Frank Evans Seagrave continued his astronomical endeavors as the beginning of the 20th century approached. Throughout the next 34 years his prolific […]
Frank Evans Seagrave: A Timeline of His Life & Contributions in Historical Context: 1860 – 1899
The Early Years : 1860 – 1874 Frank Evans Seagrave was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 29, 1860, son of […]
I Remember Pat Armitage
Pat Armitage was a force in Skyscrapers for many years. My first meeting with her was at a total solar eclipse site […]
In Memory of Althea Doodson
Sadly, I must report the loss of one of our newer members. Althea Doodson passed away on October 19; she was 89. […]
Remembering Dave Rose
Dear Friends, On Monday Oct 10th Dave Rose passed away after a long battle with cancer. He chose not to share his […]
Remembering Dave Hurdis
As many of you know, on May 31, 2022, Skyscrapers, Inc. lost a dear member, David A. Hurdis. Dave was born in […]
Frank Evans Seagrave: A Timeline of His Life & Contributions in Historical Context
Preface Over the years I have realized that while many folks may know about historical events in general, they are clueless as […]
In Memory of Michael Ambrose
To all Skyscrapers, I am deeply saddened to have learned of the sudden passing of our member, Michael Ambrose. Michael is the […]
Memories of Frank Dubeau
I was shocked to learn about Frank Dubeau’s passing last week. Frank was a long time Skyscraper. I think he joined about […]
Frank Dubeau
Francis I. “Frank” Dubeau 76, of Blackstone, MA, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, April 16, 2020 at home. He was the husband of […]
William S. Penhallow: 1933 – 2020
A major force in astronomy in Rhode Island has left us: William Scott “Bill” Penhallow died January 15, 2020, at age 86. […]
In Memory: Kent Cameron 1938-2017
One of our most avid members, Kent Cameron, passed on Thursday, November 30th. Well-known as one of the first to volunteer for […]
In Memory: Roger Menard and Minka Wescott
It’s very hard to lose a friend, but to become aware of two in one day is very difficult. This week the […]
In Memory of Walter Dowhyj
It was with great sadness to learn of the recent death of Walter Dowhyj. Although not a presence lately, in past decades […]
Memories of Bill Luzader from the Planetarium Society
It seemed only right to learn that Bill had died while many of us were at the 2014 International Planetarium Society meeting, […]
Building my Merry-Go-Round Observatory
Having finished building my 17.5-inch Dobsonian in 1982, and having grown weary of schlepping it around by hand truck and two-wheel trailer […]
John T. Hopf (1920-2011)
John Hopf is shown here with his 6-inch Newtonian telescope, circa 1960. John was an “Amateur Astronomer” in the truest sense – he made […]
Stella-this and Stella-that
When I was just a little lad I longed to go to Stellafad,That magic spot in far Vermont – the mystic place […]
Celebrating the Sesquicentennial Birthday of Frank Evans Seagrave (1860–1934)
Frank Evans Seagrave was born March 29, 1860, son of Mary Greene (Evans) and George Augustus Seagrave. George was a wealthy owner […]
Heaven’s View Observatory
Well, I spent my first year and a half with my new scope setting it up on clear nights either in my […]
Reflections on Three Decades of Variable Star Observing
Sometimes I feel that my thirty years of variable star observing have been about as variable as the variable stars themselves. Next […]
How I became an Amateur Astronomer
Here are a few vivid memories of events from my childhood and youth which guided me along the path of amateur astronomy. […]
Vivian Hartnett Remembered
It is with great sadness I must inform you of the passing of a dear long-time member, Vivian Hartnett. Viv joined Skyscrapers back […]
Some Memorable Nights
The vast majority of my approximately 5,000 variable star observing sessions have been fairly routine affairs with no exceptional features to set […]
Astronomy & Archaeology Intersect in the American Southwest
Rick Lynch at TuzigootFor the last two decades I have visited the Southwest United States on a regular basis for interests in […]
How I became an Amateur Astronomer
I don’t remember becoming an amateur astronomer. In all my time on this planet, I haven’t one memory of not appreciating the […]
An Amateur Astronomer’s Life
I was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 17, 1953. In 1959 my father’s job change moved our family to Warwick, […]
How I became an Amateur Astronomer
Well, Let Me See— I guess it all started when I was 8 or 9 years old. Once again, November arrived and, […]
The “Conjunction” of Frank Seagrave and Percival Lowell
Soon after I joined Skyscrapers, which is now more than 31 years ago, I became very interested in the history of our […]
My Life as an Amateur Astronomer
When I was younger, I received a telescope for Christmas one year. It had to be sometime in the early to mid […]
My Life as an Amateur Astronomer
I have always been fascinated by Astronomy. Growing up in Douglas, Massachusetts, I remember when I was a little boy looking up […]
Brian Magaw: A Remembrance
10th Anniversary Remembrance Ten years ago this July, Skyscrapers were both ecstatic and sad at the same time. While we and the […]
Stardust Memories: Frank E. Seagrave and Halley’s Comet
During the fall of 1909 “prophets” and doomsayers were predicting dire earthly calamities because of a forthcoming celestial event — the return […]