About Me
My interest in astronomy began long, long ago — way before there were digital cameras, GoTo scopes, or even personal computers and Color TVs. (I guess that makes me an old geezer)! I was fortunate to have grow up on a farm in northwestern Nebraska which had wonderful dark skies. My parents both concluded that I was nuts as I’d stay outside staring at the stars and planets for long hours. (In hindsight, they were right as I still do). I’ve had a life-long interest in astronomy; at times I’ve been a quite active observer and other times not.
My main scope at the moment is a Celestron Nexstar 11 with a Stellarview A1010 mounted on a Losmandy rail. The scope is mounted on an APT Wedge and a Meade giant field tripod. For cameras I use a Canon Xti, a Phillips Toucam 840, and a Astrovid Stellacam2.
Professionally, I’ve worked as a gas station attendent, a janitor, a combat medic, a chemical engineering assistant, a draftsman, a construction inspector, a civil engineer, a controls engineer, an instrumentation engineer, an electronics engineer, a system adminstrator, a webmaster, and a software engineer. Software engineering would be my hobby if it weren’t my profession. For the past ten years I’ve managed my own software consulting business. I have BS’s in computer science and electronics, and MS in information systems.
I’m active in local astronomy groups. I’m president of the Longmont Astronomical Society. I’m also a member of the Astroleague webteam.