Lectures at Eagle Hill

Lecture programs are free. They run for about an hour, including time for questions. Start times are noted in the calendar below.

They begin with a reception 45 minutes before the start of the lecture. This is a pleasant time to mingle with guests over complimentary wine. The lecture room has some café tables, each seating 4 guests.

Each lecture is followed by an optional family-style dinner in the old dining hall. This is a chance to mingle with resident guests at Eagle Hill who are participating in a seminar or workshop program. Reservations need to be made by 10AM of the program day. Dinner details and menus.

For dinner reservations ... 718-715-2824 ... joerg@eaglehill.us

Date/Time	Day	Program title. Descriptions and bios are the at end of this page.	Presenter name

2022 Programs

August 10, 5PM	Wed	The Leviathan of Parsonstown: The World's Largest Telescope until 1915	Dwight M. Lanpher

Program descriptions.

August 10, 2022
The Leviathan of Parsonstown
Any review of the history of astronomy will likely discover a large telescope called the "Leviathan of Parsonsonstown". Built in Ireland in 1845 by the 3rd Earl of Rosse, it was the largest telescope in the world for 70 years until surpassed by the 100" Hooker Telescope on Mt. Wilson in California. Each of two 72" speculum mirrors were alternately mounted in a 54' long tube, suspended between two purpose built castle walls. Amateur astronomer Dwight Lanpher will speak about his visit to Birr Castle, County Offaly, Ireland to examine "the Great Telescope." His technical presentation will show detailed photos and drawings of how the telescope was operated and the modifications that were made during a $1,200,000 renovation in 1995. Images will also include the last remaining of the two, 3-ton, speculum mirrors examined during the return trip at its current location at the Museum of Science in London.
When not visiting ancient telescopes, Dwight Lanpher travels throughout New England and eastern Canada attending astronomy meetings as liaison for clubs in Maine, New Hampshire and a few in Massachusetts and observing at their star parties when the opportunity avails. Professionally, Mr. Lanpher works as a licensed professional Electrical Engineer.