History

The Seattle Astronomical Society has a long history. Here are some interesting events from the club's past. The club is still fortunate enough to have members from the 1940s who were in their teens at the time and were members. Thanks go to Mr Denis Janky for researching most of this history that was otherwise lost to time.

William Gifford Hale

The Seattle Astronomical Society had it's start back in 1931 when Professor William G. Hale of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada began providing twice a week lectures on astronomy at the University of Washington's Guggenheim Hall. He also wrote a weekly astronomy column for the Seattle Daily Times for several decades.

The first meeting of the club was on Tuesday, September 8, 1931 at the public library at 10th Ave E and 56th St.

William handed out star maps and illuminated planispheres. It was decided that the club would be conducting monthly study of stars and planets.

William Gifford Hale 1866-1950_edited.jp

1930s

Incorportation

It was not until 23 years later (May 15, 1954) that the Seattle Astronomical Society (SAS) was officially recognized by the state as a nonprofit. Pictured are some of those initial board members.

President: Guy Blackie

VP: Andrew Patten

Secretary-treasurer: Louise Crowley

Steward: Forrest Ritscher

Sergeant at arm: Edward Layer

Trustees: Brom Grondal,

Florence Grondal,

Norman Dalkey,

and Welbert Hawks.

Founders

Among the founders was a writer, Mrs Florence Grondal. She wrote two books, "Stars Their Facts and Legends" for children, and "The Music of the Spheres".

1950s

Astronomical League

In 1952 Norman Dalke was elected as president of the club. The SAS became an early member of the National Astronomical League. In 1955, Mr Dalke had been elected the chair of the Astronomical League and brought the national convention to Seattle.

Pictured are Mrs Wayne G. Mosby and Mr Norman C. Dalke at the convention.

1955 - AL Convention - Mrs Mosby and Mr Norman C Dalke.jpg

Personal Observatory

Forrest Ritscher (left) and Norman Dalke (right), with the former's four inch Newtonain scope. Dalke is gathering materials for making a telescope.

Building an Observatory

By 1953 the club had been given an acre of land near Beaver Lake on the east side of Lake Sammamish. The club cleared the property and started construction of a 20' observatory to hold a 12.5" Newtonian reflector. Bricks or Star Blocks were sold to fund the construction of the building.

Unfortunately after several decades of using the observatory the club decided to close it citing difficulty in managing it. The telescope was removed from the building and the land given back to the original owner of the property, Mr. Andrew P. Patten.

Pacific Science Center

In the 60s and 70s the club was often found doing events at the Pacific Science Center. The SAS teenagers would write weekly columns for a Seattle newspaper, hold 2 stargazing events a month at the Pacific Science Center, and participate in science fairs.

Annual Astronomy Show, Top: Pat Dadosio, Dick DeYoung, Dale Ireland, Bruce Edwards (1968).

Pacific Science Center SAS Astronomy Weekend, Bottom left: Brian Reed & Rosemary Guiley (1968).

Bottom Right: Denise Reilly - President of SAS Teens, Secretary Western section of Astronomical League. (1962)

Teen Telescope Display - PSC -1968_edite

1960s

Groozy 1970s

1976 - Youth group - Pacific Science Center.jpg

The club Junior Astronomers regularly meeting twice a month at Pacific Science Center. Here the club is observing the sun.

1980s

1983 Comet IRAS–Araki–Alcock watch party.jpg

1983 brought comet IRAS-Araki-Alcok. SAS members flocked to area parks hoping to see the comet.

Randy Johnson - “the photo was taken during our then regular meeting at the Mountaineer's club at the base of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Wednesday,July 20,1994. The date is significant because after the meeting many of those pictured made their way up the hill to Kerry Park where we did a huge outreach project involving the collision of fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with the planet Jupiter. It is among the most memorable interactions I've had in Sidewalk Astronomy. Through my little homemade 8" Dob I was able to bear witness and share the experience with the mass of Seattleites that had shown up to see the huge holes the comet fragments had punched in the Jovian atmosphere. It was a fun night.”

1990s

Maxine Nagel shows kids a telescope at a school outreach event.

2001 Greenlake - Solar viewing_edited.jpg

Greenlake Park Solar viewing. Clockwise from top left, Michelle Pullars with C8. Bill Bruner with newtonian. Hulen Fleming's schiefspiegler telescope. Skip Murrey with 10" dobsonian.