|
I received my degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1976 and spent 33 years working for Motorola designing Communications systems and Semiconductor products in various sites in the US and abroad. I was fortunate enough to live in Malaysia for 5 years running one of Motorola’s R&D centers and was able to travel to many wonderful countries around the world.
I have always been interested in the Sciences, Photography, Hiking and the Outdoors. I bought my first telescope in 2000, at which time I joined the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches, where I have served on the Board for 10 years as Treasurer, Vice President and am currently serving as President. The wealth of knowledge that the members of ASPB have is incredible and many have helped me to achieve several goals in astronomy, including Astro-Imaging with various equipment including Web-cam, DSLR and CCD Imaging. I currently own 4 telescopes with several CCD Imaging systems and enjoy all aspects of Amateur Astronomy.
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
Stephen M. Schiff, (B.A., M.A., M.S., Ed. D.,) has been a life-long amateur astronomer and has recently retired after teaching forty-one years. His most recent position was that of Planetarium Resource Educator at Poinciana Elementary Magnet School of Science, Mathematics & Technology. Previous to that, Dr. Schiff served as the Astronomy Outreach Educator at the South Florida Science Museum. He has given numerous astronomy lectures and hands-on workshops at colleges and libraries on Long Island. Dr. Schiff has witnessed two total solar eclipses, attended teacher space camp, has been a member of the observatory staff at the Custer Institute Observatory and has participated in the LCROSS webcast at Kennedy Space Center. He has been awarded eight educational grants to build space shuttle and space station simulators and a robotic observatory at his planetarium. Currently, Dr. Schiff serves as vice-president on the board of directors of the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches where he participates in community star parties in local parks and libraries.
|
| He is also a presenter for the NASA Night Sky Network and is a cruise speaker for Sixth Star Entertainment. His enthusiasm and expertise encourages all astronomy participants to discover for themselves the wonders of our spectacular universe. |
| Back to Top |
|
|
I am a relatively new member of the ASPB with 2 years of participation. After 30 years of being away from the hobby, I have rediscovered my love of amateur astronomy. My son was about 5 years old when I first showed him the beauty of Saturn and its rings.
I currently own 3 telescopes (albeit small), and am especially interested in the public outreach aspects of the ASPB. |
| Back to Top |
|
|
I joined the Astronomy Club thirty years ago after our son Seth ground and polished a mirror for an 8 inch reflector Dobsonian telescope he built when he was eleven. We silvered the mirror, the first time, using silver coins. That turned the mirror black as the coins were 25% copper. On the second try we used 99% silver and it worked. Back then, there were about five members in the club. We met at the Science Museum once a month and we manned the telescope in the observatory and had it open to the public every Friday night (weather permitting). One of my recent hobbies was building refractor telescopes. |
| Back to Top |
|
|
I’ve been fascinated by the beauty of the night sky since childhood. I joined the ASPB in late 1999 (my first year of retirement) and have served as secretary, president and currently as a member of our board of directors. I have a Celestron 11” SCT with a piggy-backed 80mm Stellarvue refractor, a Celestron NexStar 6” SCT and a Coronado 60mm H-alpha (solar) telescopes. I enjoy all kinds of astronomy, but am especially active in lunar and planetary observing. I am also a member of the amateur/professional Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers.
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
I have been a member off and on since the club was known as the “Marks Astronomical Society” (Late 1970ʼs). I remember the 16” Cave Reflector that the Science Museum had in a roll off roof shed before the observatory was built.
I got my first telescope in 1966 - a 2” reflector with a cardboard tube and a plastic sighting tube for a finder. My telescopes have gotten progressively better, with my current instruments being an 8” F/12 D&G Refractor, a 7” F/15 Meade LX200 GPS Maksutov, and a Celestron14.
Education wise I have a Bachelorʼs degree in Physics and a Masterʼs in Astronomy/Mathematics.
My favorite observing object is the Moon with the planets ranking second.
When not out stargazing I can be found at my Mac Pro computer working on models of stellar atmospheres and globular clusters.
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
I have been a member of the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches for over 8 years. I have served on the Board of directors for 7 years and for the past 5 years I have been the Stars & Scopes Newsletter Editor for the club. I would consider myself to be a novice in astronomy. I enjoy participating in the public education programs that our club provides to the community for the Science Museum, Girl & Boy Scouts and various area schools. I use an 8" Celestron StarHopper Dobsonian Reflector Telescope. My favorite piece of equipment is my Telrad Finder Scope. This native Floridian is an Information Technology Director for a large Ob/Gyn practice in Palm Beach County.
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
I've been a science teacher and aerospace educator for 36 years. My experience includes two years in public schools, two years in parochial schools, two years as an Aerospace Education Specialist in NASA's Aerospace Education Services Program ("Spacemobile"), and thirty years at Palm Beach Day Academy, Palm Beach, FL., where I currently teach junior high science, including aerospace curriculum. I also served, for ten years, as a Regional Resource Person for the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum and as a resource agent in "SPICA" (the Support Program for Instructional Competency in Astronomy) for the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. I have begun my eighth year as a "Solar System Ambassador" for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and I work part time at Kennedy Space Center's Educator Resource Center and "Exploration Station". My hobbies include canoeing, bicycle riding, and astronomy.
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
I am an optometrist by profession and currently practice for the Veterans Administration. I served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years on active duty as an optometrist. I have specialty training in Low Vision Rehabilitation and was a clinical faculty member for 8 years with Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. My hobbies have included backpacking, spelunking, scuba diving, and photography.
I have had an interest in astronomy as far back as I can remember. My professional training in optics and human sight has enhanced my interest to pursue amateur astronomy as an active hobby. ASPB has a strong commitment to education and public awareness. This has tied in well with my joy of learning new things and teaching others. I currently am using a 12-inch Dobsonian reflector and an 8-inch astrograph. I am still a novice with a lot to learn. We invite you to come on out and see what you have been missing.
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
|
