For those still at the show - be sure not to leave today before visiting the telescope collection. This is not your pile of odd antiques - this is a professional collection of early telescopes, initiated by a classmate, Prof. John Greivenkamp. Supported by THE College of Optical Sciences (for the benefit of M.J. Soileau and those at the Fellow Lunch), the collection in the back of the exhibit hall is the largest collection of scientific telescopes from the mid-1700s currently on display anywhere in the world (yes, there are places with more telescopes, but, they are not on display (go figure).
The collection is very well commented and brings together a very diverse set of telescopes (and a few binoculars). These are truly rare pieces and this could prove to be the only time they are brought out onto the road like this. So, do skip that paper you have on your schedule - or that one last aisle in the exhibit area.
By the way, the poster on the astronomical telescopes of the past has scans of early woodcuts found in Smith's 1728 book Opticks, which I will cover in a later writing. The poster was assembled by students at the University of Rochester under the direction of Prof. Jannick Rolland, who recently transferred to the University from CREOL (the College of Optics and Photonics, again for those at the Fellows lunch).
Hope this finds you in time. If not, I will provide a Plan B, but not until you fail regarding plan A.
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