Nothing attracts our attention and imagination like the universe around
us. I have been studying the wonders of the sky since I was a small boy
and have devoted most of my adult life to sharing this passion with others
of all ages. I have been writing the monthly "Skywatch" column
for the Oregonian Newspaper since 1989.
I have taught continuing education astronomy programs at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Or. and Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles. I am currently working with the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles to establish a solar viewing program and guest speaker program. I am also contracted by The Libraries of Eastern Oregon to bring astronomy education to rural libraries.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce the Starlab Portable Planetarium to the Pacific Northwest coast, mainly the north Oregon coast and S.W. Washington as well as eastern Oregon. Click on the photo to learn more about the planetarium and what we have to offer, and how to bring it to your location.
I would love to come to your location with telescope equipment and give a tour of the current night sky. I can bring an 11" Celestron computerized telescope, a wide-field 80mm refractor and a 6" Newtonian reflector. During these programs I will show how to locate and identify a wealth of celestial objects. I can demonstrate how to use a telescope and give valuable information about telescope design and what to look for when purchasing. I can also demonstrate how to enjoy the night sky with nothing more than your eyes and perhaps a pair of binoculars.
Observing
need not be restricted to the night time, as I have equipment for safely
observing the sun. View sunspots and, using my Hydrogen Alpha Filter,
observe the dynamic sun as solar prominances and flares cha
nge
before your very eyes. Nothing in the sky is as awe inspiring as our life
giving sun. My solar viewing experience goes back the 1980's, when I participated
in an international solar viewing program at the Mt. Hood Community College
Solar Observatory. Let me share this experience with you.
The weather in the Pacific Northwest does not always cooperate with amateur astronomers. For this reason I always come armed with a wealth of photos of celestial wonders, many of them taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Slide shows are also very popular with groups that must conduct programs inside, such as senior homes, classrooms and home school groups.
The cost for these programs begins at $50 for a location within a 30 mile radius of the Astoria. Beyond this radius add $1 per mile to cover fuel, time and travel expenses.
e-mail now to get on our schedule or call 360-665-0772