James Mullaney Reminisces: His Review Of The Original Edition Of Starlight Nights (February 1966 Sky & Telescope) Also Meeting Leslie Peltier At His Farm And Home In Delphos, Ohio
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 of 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
rogerivester.com 