Main
Articles
Astrophotography
- D70
- ST7
--Nebula
--Galaxies
--Open Clusters
--Globular Clusters
Current Equipment
Clear Sky Clock

About Me

I have been interested in astronomy since I was a child. I was fascinated at the night sky so I started asking questions about it. My father found some astronomy books that he used when he was younger and those books allowed me to learn the major constellations and star names. My father also had an interest so he bought a refractor from a department store. We quickly found out that it was not what we wanted. He eventually upgraded to a Meade 2080LX telescope which I still use. I lost interest in astronomy until about 4 years ago when I started using my father's telescope again. I quickly realized how much I loved astronomy when I was a child and became hooked all over again. I have since become active in the local astronomy club, the Columbus Astronomical Society, and I volunteer at Perkins Observatory during public programs. My astronomical interests include Amateur Telescope Making, CCD Imaging, and Variable Star Observing (my AAVSO observer identifier is HJS). I now use Oberwerk 11x70mm binoculars and my father's Meade 2080LX for visual/variable star observing. For CCD Imaging, I use a Celestron Ultima 2000, an SBIG ST7E CCD camera, and an SBIG CFW8a color filter wheel. Most of the time I find myself imaging, but I also enjoy just taking my star charts out with my binoculars and enjoying the stars. I am also a Christian and I believe that the universe was created by God. My favorite verse is Psalm 19:1. It really brings it home when I look through my telescope or an image a deep space object. I have found that when I sit under the stars, I feel closer to God. My other interests include Amateur Radio, Electronic Music Composition, Reading SciFi/Fantasy Novels, watching movies, and spending time with my wife.