Mike Simmons
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Mike joined the [[Los Angeles Astronomical Society]] in the early 1970s and served in many capacities including two terms as President and ten years on the Board of Directors. | Mike joined the [[Los Angeles Astronomical Society]] in the early 1970s and served in many capacities including two terms as President and ten years on the Board of Directors. | ||
| - | ==Griffith Observatory | + | ==Griffith Observatory== |
| - | In 1976 he joined the staff of Griffith Observatory where he operated the Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope for the public and described the many facets of astronomy to tens of thousands of visitors. | + | In 1976 he joined the staff of Griffith Observatory where he operated the Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope for the public and described the many facets of astronomy to tens of thousands of visitors. |
==Mount Wilson Observatory Association== | ==Mount Wilson Observatory Association== | ||
In the early 1980s Mike was instrumental in founding the [[Mount Wilson Observatory Association]] (MWOA), a support organization dedicated to improving the experience of visitors to the renowned observatory. He served as the founding President of MWOA and has been on the Board of Trustees ever since. He is currently the MWOA Vice President. | In the early 1980s Mike was instrumental in founding the [[Mount Wilson Observatory Association]] (MWOA), a support organization dedicated to improving the experience of visitors to the renowned observatory. He served as the founding President of MWOA and has been on the Board of Trustees ever since. He is currently the MWOA Vice President. | ||
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| + | ==Astronomers Without Borders== | ||
| + | Seeing astronomy as a universal interest that transcends cultural differences, Mike founded [[Astronomers Without Borders]] in 2006. He now serves as President of this effort to unite astronomy and space enthusiasts around the world through those common interests. | ||
==Outreach== | ==Outreach== | ||
| - | Mike's outreach efforts in astronomy broadened in 1999 when he traveled to Iran for a total solar eclipse. In Iran he found an enthusiastic astronomy community lacking the resources easily found in the West. He has since traveled to Iran several times, and in 2004 he led a group of Westerners to Iran to observe the rare Transit of Venus alongside hundreds of Iranian amateur astronomers. In 2006 Mike traveled to the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, bringing observing equipment donated by American astronomers to their enthusiastic but isolated Kurdish counterparts. He has also assisted amateur astronomers and educators in many countries via the Internet | + | Mike's outreach efforts in astronomy broadened in 1999 when he traveled to Iran for a total solar eclipse. In Iran he found an enthusiastic astronomy community lacking the resources easily found in the West. He has since traveled to Iran several times, and in 2004 he led a group of Westerners to Iran to observe the rare Transit of Venus alongside hundreds of Iranian amateur astronomers. In 2006 Mike traveled to the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, bringing observing equipment donated by American astronomers to their enthusiastic but isolated Kurdish counterparts. He has also assisted amateur astronomers and educators in many countries via the Internet. |
| - | Mike is also a writer and photographer who has contributed to publications including [[Scientific American]], [[Astronomy | + | Mike is also a writer and photographer who has contributed to publications including [[Scientific American]], [[Astronomy Magazine]] and [[Sky & Telescope]] where he is a Contributing Editor. He regularly gives presentations, both in the US and abroad, on his experiences and interests, and on his outlook on international relations through astronomy. During the UN-declared [[2009 International Year of Astronomy]] Mike led the effort to organize the Cornerstone Project "[[100 Hours of Astronomy]]" in more than 100 countries, the largest outreach effort of the year. |
==Awards and Recognition== | ==Awards and Recognition== | ||
Latest revision as of 00:35, 5 May 2011
Mike Simmons is the founder of Astronomers Without Borders. He has been an amateur astronomer for more than 35 years and loves sharing the sky with others.
Contents |
Los Angeles Astronomical Society
Mike joined the Los Angeles Astronomical Society in the early 1970s and served in many capacities including two terms as President and ten years on the Board of Directors.
Griffith Observatory
In 1976 he joined the staff of Griffith Observatory where he operated the Zeiss 12-inch refracting telescope for the public and described the many facets of astronomy to tens of thousands of visitors.
Mount Wilson Observatory Association
In the early 1980s Mike was instrumental in founding the Mount Wilson Observatory Association (MWOA), a support organization dedicated to improving the experience of visitors to the renowned observatory. He served as the founding President of MWOA and has been on the Board of Trustees ever since. He is currently the MWOA Vice President.
Astronomers Without Borders
Seeing astronomy as a universal interest that transcends cultural differences, Mike founded Astronomers Without Borders in 2006. He now serves as President of this effort to unite astronomy and space enthusiasts around the world through those common interests.
Outreach
Mike's outreach efforts in astronomy broadened in 1999 when he traveled to Iran for a total solar eclipse. In Iran he found an enthusiastic astronomy community lacking the resources easily found in the West. He has since traveled to Iran several times, and in 2004 he led a group of Westerners to Iran to observe the rare Transit of Venus alongside hundreds of Iranian amateur astronomers. In 2006 Mike traveled to the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, bringing observing equipment donated by American astronomers to their enthusiastic but isolated Kurdish counterparts. He has also assisted amateur astronomers and educators in many countries via the Internet.
Mike is also a writer and photographer who has contributed to publications including Scientific American, Astronomy Magazine and Sky & Telescope where he is a Contributing Editor. He regularly gives presentations, both in the US and abroad, on his experiences and interests, and on his outlook on international relations through astronomy. During the UN-declared 2009 International Year of Astronomy Mike led the effort to organize the Cornerstone Project "100 Hours of Astronomy" in more than 100 countries, the largest outreach effort of the year.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005 Mike was presented with the Clifford W. Holmes Award, an honor given annually by RTMC for a "Major Contribution to Popularizing Astronomy." In 2009 Mike received the prestigious G. Bruce Blair Medal given annually by the Western Amateur Astronomers for "outstanding contributions to amateur astronomy." Minor Planet Simmons was named in his honor in 2003, in part for his "varied outreach activities in astronomy."