I am an Honorary Research Associate and Visiting Astronomer with the a Astrophysics and Space Research Group here at the University of Birmingham.
For the 2012-3 year, and possibly longer, I am an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow , working in a bureau of the U.S. Agency for International Development. My main project is SERVIR , an effort to make satellite remote-sensing data available (and relevant) to people in developing countries.
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The Book: |
| Mostly for other astronomers: my research can generally be divided into the normal categories of observation and theory, or more finely into galaxy peculiar motions, the Local Group dwarf hunt and its extension the Faint Galaxy Survey, plus a mathematical look at the meaning of the phrase expansion of the universe and an evaluation of an important, but mistaken, calculation concerning the stability of gaseous stars. You can also go directly to a summary of my published papers. In addition, especially for new astronomers I have some serious advice concerning the field as a place of employment. | |
| Mostly for non-astronomers I have a description of what it's like to be a professional astronomer and some pictures of places where astronomy is done. In addition, while astronomy often requires huge, expensive machines, I have a few examples of what can be done with minimal equipment and skill, along with a possibly surprising application of one crude instrument to an important aspect of ground-based, observational astronomy. |
A Roman seal ring from the first century BC/AD. Image © the Syndics of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; all rights reserved. Reproduction by permission.
Some history: I have worked at Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory at La Serena, Chile, and taught physics (and a little astronomy) at the U. S. Naval Academy, my undergraduate institution. I was a graduate student at the Institute of Astronomy of the University of Cambridge. I am a member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers ; the Royal Astronomical Society; the American Astronomical Society; and the International Astronomical Union.
I have three conjectures and three queries to ponder at appropriate times.