Constellation XXVIII: Vulpecula

About me:

The North Alabama Science Fiction Association (NASFA) puts on a general interest Science Fiction convention each year dubbed Con*Stellation. The name Con*Stellation was chosen because Huntsville is a center for scientific and space research, including the study of the cosmos. Each Con*Stellation has been subtitled with an astronomical constellation — usually one of the 88 official modern constellations, though the first one was named after a group of stars in Taurus. The convention often uses the constellation as a theme in its advertising and for events at the convention.

The first Con*Stellation was held 16–18 July 1982 under the full name Con*Stellation I: The Pleiades. The time of year varied over the first few conventions, though at least one has been held each year since. In 1983-1984, the convention made the shift from a spring/summer convention to a fall convention. To aid the transition, a two-day mini-convention was held in December of '83, thus avoiding an extremely long gap between Con*Stellation II and Con*Stellation III. Because the convention had already started using Roman numerals for numbering the series, the mini-convention was numbered as Con*Stellation II.V, a deliberate, tongue-in-cheek, mix of Roman numerals and place notation from Arabic numerals.

Con*Stellation has been held at a number of Huntsville-area hotels during its history. Other than Con*Stellation II.V, each has been a 3-day (Friday to Sunday) event.

The next Con*Stellation is Constellation XXVIII: Vulpecula. The convention will be held September 18-20, 2009 and features author David Weber as Guest of Honor, John Picacio as Artist Guest of Honor, Jack McDevitt as our Master of Ceremonies, and fan Gary Shelton as our Fan Guest of Honor. In addition to our primary guests, there are always several professional writers, artists, even scientists, who attend the convention. The following guests will also be in attendance:

• Lou Anders
• William Drinkard
• Sarah Hoyt
• Les Johnson
• Stephanie Osborn
• Bill Snodgrass
• Dr. Travis S. "Doc" Taylor
• T.K.F. Weisskopf

For more information, please go to our official website.