Tomas Gonzalez-Torres Lead STS-121 EVA Activities Officer NASA/JSC        Tomas, also with roots in Iowa, comes to us from the Johnston Space Center in Houston, TX.  Tomas is the goto EVA guy for the next Hubble Space Telescope repair mission slated for August 2008.  We are pleased Tomas will be with us to explain what will be done to extend the life of the greatest telescope ever constructed by humans to date.  Tomas is responsible for EVA activities during the SM4 mission.   Lecture:  Hubble Servicing Mission

     

Mike Reynolds Executive Director Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers (ALPO)     Dr. Mike Reynolds has spent 33 years in astronomy and space sciences in the gamut of a high school and university instructor, planetarium and museum director, researcher, writer, and lecturer. He has received numerous recognition for his work, including the 1986 Florida State Teacher of the Year, NASA Teacher-in-Space National Finalist, and the G. Bruce Blair Medal. Reynolds has written a number of astronomy books and articles, including the popular Falling Stars -- A Guide to Meteors and Meteorites. He has led numerous astronomical expeditions worldwide, and has also served as an invited speaker internationally. Mike is Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California, Professor of Astronomy at Florida Community College in Jacksonville, Florida and was just appointed Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the College. In addition to serving on three national non-profit boards, Mike is the Executive Director of the Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers and coordinates the Astronomical League's Outreach Awards.   Lecture:  Meteorites (AL),             The Total Lunar Eclipses of 2007 and 2008 (ALPO), &             Falling Stars -- Operation Deep Freeze (AL)

 

Kevin Koski Rustic Skies Astronomy & Learning Center, LLC kevin@rusticskies.com         Kevin Koski, Amateur Astronomer and President of Rustic Skies Astronomy and Learning Center, LLC. is currently in his fourth year as a NASA/JPL Saturn Observation Campaign member and in his third year as a NASA Solar System Ambassador.  He currently provides over 70 presentations per year for schools, libraries, parks, museums and business organizations.  Kevin had founded the Plymouth Star Gazers, and enjoys sharing his passion for the universe through his presentations, public observing sessions, newspaper and magazine articles, and television appearances.  He is currently developing an astronomy retreat, nature center and campground that will be located in Wyoming.     Lecture:  Cassini Mission

   

John Goss Secretary, Astronomical League  (AL)         John has been active in astronomy organizations at the local, regional and national levels:  serving first as President of the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society, then as Chair of the Mid East Region of the Astronomical League, and now as Astronomical League Secretary.  In addition to his many presentations at conferences and star parties, he has conducted telescope workshops and instructs "Stargazing for the Curious Skywatcher" through Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.  John has contributed numerous articles for the Astronomical League's Reflector magazine and writes a monthly astronomy column for the Roanoke Times.   Workshop:  In Search of the Perfect Club I, II & III

 

Dr. Hari Om Vats Astronomy Astrophysics Division, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmadabad 380009 INDIA vats@prl.res.in        Hari earned his Ph. D. degree for his research work on the irregularities in the upper atmosphere using radio beacon observations at 40, 140 and 360 MHz from a Geostationary Satellite ATS-6 in 1979 from Gujarat University, India. He has worked on experimental and theoretical aspects of Scintillation phenomena. He has contributed in the field of Space Science and Solar Physics. He has published 93 research papers in the scientific journals, guided 3 scholars for their Ph. D. work, one scholar is currently working and evaluated 8 Ph. D. theses and many scientific papers. He has attended and presented invited and contributory research papers at 122 national and international workshops/conferences. At present an Associate Professor at Physical Research Laboratory Ahmadabad India and  has worked on collaborative research programs at UC, San Diego USA, KSRC Japan and INPE Brazil.   Lecture:  South Pole Total Solar Eclipse               ("Shadow Bands of 23 November 2003 Total Solar Eclipse (TSE) and  possibilities                      of the same during TSE of 1 August 2008")

 

Kelly Beatty Executive Editor, Sky & Telescope Magazine         Like countless others growing up during the 1960's, Kelly was captivated by space exploration and the ambitious Apollo program.  As Executive Editor of Sky & Telescope magazine, he specializes in space exploration and planetary science. During the 1980's he was among the first Western journalists to gain firsthand access to the Soviet space program.  Kelly enjoys writing for a wide spectrum of audiences. His work has appeared in numerous other publication, and his commentaries have aired on National Public Radio.   Lecture:  Sky & Telescope:  Looking Back, Looking Forward.

 

Norma Cutsforth Author, Keeping Starwatch       Norma is a working mother from Cedar Rapids, Iowa who enjoys her astronomy hobby to the degree she wrote a book about it!  This collection of essays melds life experiences, history, and the night sky in an interesting and entertaining way.         "The wonder and science of astronomy meld with the life and thoughts of a working       mother in this contemplative and delightful collection of essays." -Amazon.com         "Fabulous! Wonderful book.  Loved it cover to cover.  Would recommend it to anyone."       -Barnes & Noble Customer Reviews      Lecture:  Keeping Starwatch

   

Dave Tosteson Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS)       I have been interested in astronomy since 1985, starting on a trip to Mexico to see southern objects, using binoculars on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta.  I purchased my first telescope, a 10" homemade Dobsonian reflector from the former President of the AL, Jim Fox, and used that for several years, developing a lasting interest in deep sky observing.  My first regional Star Party, Texas in 1989, was a revelation:  to see what dedicated and passionate observers were able to observe with state of the art equipment.  I quickly graduated to larger reflectors:  an 18", then a 25" scope I used for 13 years, till purchasing a 32", f4 reflector in the fall of 2005.  This was the largest instrument I felt was portable, and able to set up and use alone, as most of my observing is done from my home in rural Minnesota.  I had a storage facility/observatory built in 2006.  I roll out the scope into my driveway, and use it in front of my home.  I have been able to see 20th magnitude objects from this location, and am pleased with its convenience.  My interest and passion is to follow the professional literature and discoveries, and attempt to push the limits of what is visible in amateur equipment.  The visual recovery of multiple brown dwarfs, and objects in the Hubble Deep and Ultra Deep Fields are examples of those efforts.  My hope is to help inspire a new generation of amateurs interested in deep sky observing, and to pass on what has been shared with me by the talented, generous observers with whom I have worked.   Lecture:  Deep Sky Objects                 "Observing at the Edge, Visual Astronomy of the Deepest Sky"

 

James R. Paulson Des Moines Astronomical Society (DMAS)       "JR", as members of DMAS have come to know him, is a medical doctor by day and an avid home observatory astro-photographer by night.  As an amateur astronomer, JR is well equipped and exceptionally skilled at his passion for astro-photography. Pictured here inside of the home observatory which he built, JR is right at home capturing outstanding images of planetary and deep sky objects.   Lecture:  Home Observatory

 

Marni Berendsen Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) mberendsen@astrosociety.org       Marni Berendsen, of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, has served since 2003 as the lead project manager of the NASA Night Sky Network, a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs dedicated to astronomy outreach.  An amateur astronomer for many years, she is a Project ASTRO partner and a member of the Mount Diablo Astronomical Society in Concord, CA, participating regularly in the club's outreach programs and events. She received her Masters in Astronomy from the Univ. of Western Sydney.  She is one of the authors of  "Science Educators Under the Stars," a book about amateur astronomers engaged in outreach with the public.   Lecture:  Amateur Astronomers as Champions for the                  International Year of Astronomy (IYA) 2009