I am an astronomer.
I present astronomy to the public through animations, planetarium shows, lectures, press releases, educational activities, web sites, and other avenues.
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a. I like teaching and inspiring others.
b. I like the challenge of combining deep content and artistic presentation.
c. I like working with computers.
Astronomy is a subject with a natural attraction for most people. Everyone (even me) looks at the Hubble pictures in amazement.
Salary range: $50,000 – $100,000
6:30 AM
Most days, I'm just getting up.
9:00 PM
Reading email and checking the status of my cluster of 37 computers. Reviewing an educational activity or making new animations. Checking in with my co-workers' offices to see that our joint projects are progressing in sync.
1:00 PM
I'm into one of my projects; making scientific visualizations, creating multimedia presentations, and writing essays on astronomical topics.
4:00 PM
Many times, I'm pounding away at something until it is time to go. When things are slow (or I'm feeling mentally drained), I'll sometimes surf a few websites to see what's new in astronomy and technology.
7:00 PM
The usual routine is feed the kids, bathe the kids, and prod my son to do his homework. Take my daughter to swim class, or my son to soccer, get myself to Tae Kwon Do classes.
Being a boy who danced, I was teased a lot in elementary school. I learned to ignore the idiots in life. Plus, my training as a dancer made me pretty good at most sports, so they couldn't tease me when I could out-do them on the field.
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Middle School:
Joyce Kilmer Intermediate School (VA)
High School:
James Madison High School (VA)
Favorite subjects in school:
Math, physics, drama
Activities in high school:
Ice skating, dance (jazz, tap, ballet), acting, math team
Summer jobs:
In high school, I worked at Woolworth's as a cashier/stock boy and at Pizza Hut as a waiter. In college, I worked as a cook and dishwasher in a run-down restaurant/bar for two summers.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
In 4th grade, a baseball pitcher. In later years, something to do with math. My path went from math in high school to physics in college to astronomy in graduate school. I just love solving problems, and went where I thought the problems were most interesting.
College / School:
Virginia Tech
Degree:
B.S.
Major:
Physics, minor in math
Other (vocational school, graduate school etc):
University of California at Berkeley
Degree:
M.A. and Ph.D.
Field(s) of study:
Astronomy
Scholarships/Awards:
Walter S. Newman Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship National Finalist, University Scholarship
Favorite classes:
In college, the best classes are the ones with a professor who can really teach. The subject is (almost) not as important as the teaching. I had great teachers in Chemistry, Physics, Music, and Math.
Activities post high school:
Va Tech Dance Theater (director, choreographer, soloist), UC Berkeley Ballroom Dance Club (president, collegiate team member)
Internships/work experience:
Summer research assistant at a nuclear physics lab during undergraduate summers. (2 years) Graduate research fellowships. Post-doc positions at Princeton (3 years) and Columbia University (1.5 years).
After high school, what obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
Through college and graduate school, it became harder and harder to do both academics and artistic pursuits. The programs are geared for you to become single-focused on your studies. I always maintained some major outside activity that kept me more well-rounded than being “just a physics geek”. I think it is very important to keep up a variety of activities, so you don't “burn out” in your work.
Tell us about your job
How did you get your job?I applied for the job when it was posted in the American Astronomical Society's Job Register. I was invited down for interviews and to give a talk to the scientific staff. I noted on my application that I wanted to work in the Office of Public Outreach, and there was, fortunately, an opening for an astronomer there.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?The best part is the time I get to spend doing a project well: the creative,intellectual, and focused time. The worst part is the time spent dealing with “red tape issues”: the stuff that somebody feels is terribly important, but interferes with getting things done.
What perks or other tangible benefits do you get?We have a good vacation policy; about 4 weeks per year. We have good medical and dental benefits at relatively low cost. Because astronomers are a low risk group, my life insurance is inexpensive.
What [school] subjects do you use at work?Almost all of them: math, physics, English, history, chemistry, and the arts.
If you weren’t in your current profession, what would you be?Work in computer system administration or programming. If I could go back in time, I might try to make a living as a dance choreographer or a film director.
What do you do in your free time?I try to get to my Tae KwonDo classes twice a week. I play with my kids. I take care of the house, yard, cars and such. I coach soccer. I play games on the PlayStation. I go to movies and watch TV. The usual stuff.
Can you recommend any resources (links, books, etcetera) around your career?My website,
Astronomy Picture of the Day,
Astronomy Magazine.
PBS NOVA programs and visiting lots of museums and planetariums.
An introductory textbook like "Astronomy Today," by Chaisson & McMillan, and, for those who want to look deeper, a more advanced textbook like Frank Shu's "Physical Universe."
Getting to where you are nowWho inspired you growing up?My brother was on the 1980 Olympic Team in ice skating. My mom was my first dance instructor and showed me how to teach others. Bob Fosse and Fred Astaire inspired me with creative imagination and the pursuit of excellence.
What critical choices did you make growing up that helped you get to where you are today?I did not follow the “standard route”, and decided to make my own path. I tried to be good at many things: intellectual, athletic, and artistic. I spent three years competing in ice dancing after high school, and learned a lot about life and myself before starting college.
What do you wish you’d known then that you know now?Success should not be defined by getting recognition or awards from others. True success is when you set your standards high, and you are pleased with yourself. As the 5th of 6 kids, I think I did a lot of things just to get attention. Of course, that desire for attention is part of why I became an overachiever. It's a ying/yang thing.
What or who inspired you to really go after the profession you are in now?One summer evening, at the beach, I looked up at the sky through a pair of binoculars for the first time. The difference between what you could see with the unaided eye, and what you could be seen through a simple pair of binoculars was amazing. As I learned more, through reading and courses and the PBS series Cosmos, I found a subject filled with wonder and a suite of puzzles like no other: how do you determine what is happening trillions of miles away by simply examining the light you receive? There is nothing so inspirational as an intriguing challenge.
What critical choices or decisions did you make that helped you get where you are today?To succeed in academics, the most important choices are not really the big decisions, like where to go to college or graduate school, but rather the small choices you make every day. The choice to knuckle down and get your work done every day can be a really difficult choice in this world of thousands of distractions.
What do you wish you had known then that you know now?It would have been nice to know how much less time you have for travel and adventure when you are married, have kids, and a career. I might have spent a bit more time going places and doing things that are harder to do when you are older.
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