The Author has been a deep sky observer and astrophotographer since the early 70's, and has designed and built many telescopes during that time. My primary interests are observing and photographing deep space nebula, including galaxies, emission and reflection nebula and planetary nebula. I also have a passion for comets, and greatly enjoy the challenge of comet astrophotography. I currently live in Payson Arizona, at an elevation of 5150 feet in a moderately dark sky location, which is quite suitable for skyshooting. I have a backyard observatory with a homemade 12.5" f/5 Newtonian fully equipt for deep sky adventures. I also use several schmidt cameras located at a second observatory in Happy Jack, an hours drive to the north, and a host of individual lenses to capture the sky in the most suitable fashion. By day, I am an Electrical Engineer, but by night, I am free to explore new films, the latest techniques, and experiment with the latest digital processing methods. About 50 percent of our nights are perfectly clear here in Arizona, allowing many opportunities not possible in the midwest where I am originally from.
Show and Tell
My Favorite star party in the whole wide world is the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference at Camp Oaks in Big Bear California. Each May, thousands of amateur telescope makers and astrophotographers gather up for the grandest amateur astronomy get together in the world. Each year awards are given to the top telescope designs and entries by a strict award commitee. Here I present several of the awards I have won there over the years for your enjoyment.
