In 1993, I had just completed observing all objects in the classic book “The Finest Deep-Sky Objects” by James Mullaney and Wallace McCall. I just had to write James (Jim) a handwritten letter, sharing how much I enjoyed the book. A few weeks later I received a letter back from Jim. Those letters began a friendship that continues to this day.

Jim asked me if I’d post the following.

Enjoy…Roger Ivester

I had the honor and privilege of reviewing the original hardcover edition of Leslie Peltier’s classic Starlight Nights: The Adventures of a Stargazer in the February 1966, issue of Sky & Telescope. 

The magazine had just published Wally McCall and my three-part series “The Finest Deep-Sky Objects” and the editors thought I would be a good fit to review Leslie’s book.  This was followed by extensive correspondence with him, which in turn resulted in two visits to Delphos, Ohio, to meet him in person. 

I was there by myself the first time in October, 1968, and among other things he autographed my review copy with the words “Good friend and most kind “reviewer.” With very warmest regards, Leslie Peltier“

He let me hold the famed “starberry spyglass” and we inspected his huge observatory with the 12-inch Clark refractor.  But the most thrilling thing for me was that this famed observer let me sit in his seat in the amazing “Merry-Go-Round” observatory with it’s historic 6-inch richfield refractor. Leslie used this telescope for most of his dozen comet discoveries. 

This wonderful afternoon was topped-off by an incredible Sunday dinner made by his wife, Dottie before I started the drive back to Pittsburgh. 

The second memorable visit followed a year later accompanied by Wally McCall.  We both came away from the visits feeling that we were in the presence of a divine being.

James Mullaney

James Mullaney (photo as following) most recently was honored with the naming of an asteroid:

Historical Marker:

The Leslie Peltier story from Grokipeada:

https://grokipedia.com/page/leslie_peltier

Meade 10-inch f/4.5 EQ Newtonian model DS-10A pictured below.

I’m really glad I talked with Fred Pauli on that February night so many years ago and “made the decision upon his recommendation ” to purchase the 10-inch. At that time, I had no idea I would eventually spend more 1,500 hours with this telescope under a night sky over the next 34 years. I would also make hundreds and hundreds of observing notes and pencil sketches using this telescope. It was a revelation going from a 4-inch telescope to a 10-inch.

The telescope was really large and heavy, but I didn’t care, as the views made the extra effort worth it! However, the time had come for me to find a new owner for this telescope. It was getting heavier and heavier with each passing year and the time had come to find a new owner for this telescope. However, the scope had served me well for more than three decades.

I ordered the telescope from Pauli’s Wholesale Optics in Danbury, Connecticut, on Wednesday, February 5th 1992 at 9:00 PM from the owner himself…Fred Pauli. It was Fred that recommended the 10-inch. This was in the days before email or ordering online. I would purchase a lot of astronomy equipment over the next eight or ten years from Wholesale Optics.

Sometimes I’d call and place an order at 10:00 in the morning, sometimes 10:00 at night, but whenever I’d call, it was always Fred who answered the phone. I’d talk with Fred briefly, give him my Master Card number and would normally receive my order in about a week.

When I got home from work on Monday, February 10th, some large brown corrugated boxes were stacked up in front of my garage door.

I was wanting to purchase a smaller Newtonian, but Fred Pauli recommended a larger 10-inch telescope. At that time, I had no idea I would eventually spend more than 1,500 hours with this telescope under a night sky over the next 34 years. I would also make hundreds and hundreds of observing notes and pencil sketches.

This telescope allowed me to become more active in my local astronomy club: The Cleveland County Astronomical Society, and then about eight years later, the Las Vegas Astronomical Astronomical Society. I had family living there, and still do. It was with my local club that I began writing observing articles for the monthly newsletter.

After becoming a member of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society in about December 2008, I met Fred Rayworth. The both of us were visual observers, and founded the Observer’s Challenge report. Our first report was issued in February 2009. Fred and I compiled the report through about 2017.

After years as a report contributor, Sue French became an administrator in 2018, and then co-editor with myself in compiling the report for its last five years. It was Sue’s notoriety, as an editor for “Sky & Telescope” magazine that helped gain a much wider audience of more serious amateurs. Sue deserves much credit for the report’s success and continued success.

The report continues to have high daily downloads, despite the last report being issued in June, 2024. There are both astronomy clubs and amateurs at-large that continue to use the challenge report for reference or as an observing agenda.

The larger aperture of the 10-inch versus the smaller telescopes I’d been using, allowed me to make far better pencil sketches, and observing notes. A sampling of my pencil sketches without any embellishments, and without the use of a computer. I have hundreds and hundreds of pencil sketches.

Life changes:

After spending so much time and effort over the past 34 years under a night sky…my observing will now be far less and I’ll be going back to using small telescopes. And I have so many other interest, like cycling, weight lifting, history and especially local history. I also need to note, most importantly…I have a family. 🙂

Roger Ivester (North Carolina)

The following pencil sketch shows that serious deep-sky observing can be enjoyed even with an 80 mm refractor.