Education and Outreach

A big part of our mission is education and outreach.

Preparing for visual observing

Meeting at NASA/JPL

Youtube video on how to capture solar images

Solar event at local school

Presenting Astronomy on a Cruise ship

School event

EAA Star Party with Live feed to TVs

May 15 2022 Total Eclipse from Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale

I've been studying astronomy for 5 decades, and I'm still learning new things every week.

I have been doing volunteer astronomy presentations and star parties since 1990. My work and equipment is self-funded, though I occasionally do paid private and corporate events.

I am available for local in-person or remote virtual presentations.

Currently, I'm on the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Astronomical Society, as well as a member of the Astronomical League (Master of Outreach), the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and a NASA Solar System Ambassador.

Showing M42 at an EAA event

View from the North Rim, Grand Canyon star party

Public Outreach Events

All events are WEATHER PERMITTING, and can be cancelled the day of the event if clouds are expected.

Upcoming public events

Pinnacle Peak Park

I have been doing star parties for the City of Scottsdale at Pinnacle Peak Park since 1998.
Pinnacle Peak Park star party dates and registration can be found here:

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/Pinnacle/toursevents

Phoenix Astronomical Society Public Star Parties and related events:

https://bookwhen.com/pas-event-calendar#focus=ev-seac-20230527183000

NASA Solar System Ambassador page:

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ambassadors/1672/

We are excited to be pioneering a new chapter in astronomy outreach with EAA! Electronically Assisted Astronomy is where you attach a digital camera to the telescope and project the live image onto a PC screen or monitor for group viewing. To learn more about EAA check out my YouTube video here.

Star Parties at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale Arizona

I am the resort Astronomer for the Four Seasons Scottsdale. The following events generally start as soon as it is dark and last 1.5-2 hours depending upon guest traffic. If you plan to attend, please take advantage of the resort's many amenities and enjoy the bar or one of the restaurants. Note: if cloudy or otherwise poor weather I will show meteorites and astrophotography indoors.

2023

December: 6, 7, 12,14, 26, 28

2024

January: (1-15 in Europe) 16, 18, 23, 25, 30

February: 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 21, 22 (private event), 27 29

March: 4, 6, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28

April: 2, 4, 10, 11, 16, 18, 30

May: 2, 7, 9, 13, 16, 21

May 23-June11: in Europe and Africa

June: 13, 18, 20, 24, 26, 27

July: 4, 11, 18, 25

August: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

September: 3, 5, 10, 17, 19, 25, 26

October: 2, 4, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31

November: 12, 14, 19, 20, 26, 28

December: 3, 4, 10, 12, 17, 19, 22, 26, 30

Stars Over Sabino Canyon

I supported this event visually with my TEC160FL from 7-10pm March 15th

https://skycenter.arizona.edu/news/save-date-stars-over-sabino-2024

Cave Creek Star Party 2024

Carefree star party scheduled for Oct 7. Location TBD

Massive star party with 4 linked video screens near Spur Cross AZ set for Oct 27

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1099533868124038&set=gm.1513963639355661&idorvanity=538179576934077

Grand Canyon Star Party 2024

For the first time in many years, I did not participate in the GCSP. I had the opportunity to visit an astrocamp in Namibia at the same time and did astrophotography of the southern skies.