Return to the List of Topics My greatest achievements can only be prefaced with the statement that I have been married to my husband, Alden, for over 25 years and we have two grown sons, Christopher and David and a large, loving extended family. To me, these are my greatest achievements.
I suspect, however, if you clicked on the link to this page, that although you might be interested in the thousands of craft projects that I have undertaken, including hundreds of crochet items, designing over 300 pairs of beaded earrings and numerous other needlepoint, embroidery, and etc., some of the items I have listed below may excite you a little more.
Use the links here find various topics below: Awards, Astra's Star Gate, Telescope Making, Astronomy, Midwest Space Dev Corp, Star Women, Archeoastronomy, Presentations, Work and Outreach, Ham Radio, Starfleet - or - Return to Astra's Bio
Astra's Star Gate originated in February 1996, just after the days of my text-only internet interface. It was intended to help others surfing the internet for astronomical content, specifically amateur astronomers, star gazers, telescope makers, archeoastronomers, young women, and those interested in space exploration. Today's Star Gate includes Star Trek® fans and pages devoted to beginners. I have been on-line for over 10 years and plan to continue the 'gate for the time being. I am a self-taught web administrator who has written thousands of web pages for Astra's Star Gate and professionally as a contractor for my job at NASA Glenn Research Center under various contracts. My expertise in graphics is also a result of teaching myself "how-to." I've logged in thousands of hours in Adobe Photoshop® and other graphic packages creating images for various uses from automated web galleries to restoring old photographs.
I have built my own telescopes, including a 6", f/9.6 and a 12.5", f/6.5, both mirrors that I ground myself. (See the ATM page.) The 6" mirror was mounted in an aluminum tube and attached to a commercial mount with Al's help. The 12.5" mirror was mounted in a Dobsonian-type contraption that I constructed from wood based on a design conceived by Thane Bopp, with a little help from some friends, especially Pam Hoffman. Others helped me to construct certain wooden components when my simple power tools were not precision enough. These instruments are my crowning astronomical achievements. I've also created telescopes using photo copier lenses. Old copier lens can be purchased in various places and turned into small telescopes. A fun project that challenges modern amateur astronomers to utilize modern pipes and fixtures in a "revolutionary" way. Creating your own telescope mirror and building the telescope to house it is a unique experience. The reward comes when you point that little pie-plate of a mirror up at a galaxy or other astronomical object billions of miles away. [Go to Astra's Telescope-Making Page]
Exploring the universe is my greatest passion. After joining the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association way back in 1984, I have participated in many, many outreach activities. In the amateur astronomy world, we called these activities, "public programming." The early days were filled with public programs at our club's observing site in Brecksville, OH, and special sessions like, viewing Halley's comet and numerous lunar eclipses. In those early days of astronomy, I discovered that I loved sharing the wonder of the universe and the joy of science with others. Besides, our public observing sessions that we programmed on an annual basis, there was our yearly OTAA convention. For many years, I was a board member and contributed to the yearly convention in many ways, including planning sessions, lugging equipment to the star party, accepting entrance fees, distributing door prizes, and etc. I was a member of the CAA Observatory committee from 1984 to 1998 and was at the celebration of the opening of the CAA observatory in Spencer, Ohio. Seeing the observatory finally opened was a great source of joy for me. I wrote many observation programs for the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association.
The OTAA, Ohio Turnpike Astronomer's Association, is a consortium of Ohio amateur astronomy clubs that has also welcomed professional astronomical associations. In 1984, I joined the Three-Member Council of the OTAA. This ruling body was responsible for dues and the newsletter as well as other activities. I created the George Diedrich Award to celebrate excellence in amateur astronomy and to honor the founder of the OTAA. This was an annual award given by the OTAA during the years I was on the council. I left the OTAA after 12 years, maintain our web presence up until the current day, advertising the astronomical events in mr region of Ohio. In August 1984, I began writing a feature article for the Asteroid Belt, the OTAA's journal. My article was called, The Night Sky, and featured tidbits of information of what to look for in the sky, astronomical trivia and information on timely subjects. I wrote this article until 1997. For the last five years on the three-member council, I edited and published the Asteroid Belt six times per year. [Go to the O.T.A.A. page]
Other highlights from my amateur astronomer days include:
Assisting with the first "OTAA" convention in Mansfield, OH, with the Richland Astronomical Society celebrating the 31" telescope that is housed there. Since that early convention way back in the '80s, the RAS has conducted many successful Hidden Hollow events. RAS and other OTAA clubs can be accessed through the "What Is OTAA" page right here at Astra's.
I worked very hard back in' 93 and '94 to help local astronomy clubs put on an observing session at the centerline of the 1994 Annual Eclipse in Wasseon, OH. The story of this event can also be found here at Astras's, "On Center in Wasseon," that appeared in the Asteroid Belt. In addition, I travel to Baja California in 1991 and the island of Antigua in 1998 to view total solar eclipses. I have observed many lunar eclipses as well, total and partial. I have shared my eclipse views and my comet views with many other people through the years. There is nothing to compare to the excitement of the total solar eclipse.
I also participated in a special study around the year 2000 for the Lake Erie Nature Center to assist the board of that organization with setting up plans for the future of their planetarium. The current director, Jay Reynolds told me that many of the suggestions made by that committee have been successfully implemented.
In the late 1980's, I became involved with the Midwest Space Development Conference. The MSDC put on a yearly space development conference in various cities in the midwest. In 1990, I assisted the committee in bringing the conference to Cleveland, OH by taking charge of the astronomy track. One of the features of that conference was the, Mirror-Making Workshop." This was a hands-on workshop that I developed with the help of member of the mirror making class that was conducted by Norman Oberle, my instructor in the art of mirror-making. The mirror making workshop was held a number of times, notably at Hidden Hollow in Mansfield and the Cleveland Metroparks. Equipment was also donated by Norm and other members of our class. The hands on nature of this workshop encouraged many to take an interest in this hobby.
In addition to support for other MSDC conferences, this group and the Cuyahoga Valley Space Society were responsible for bringing the 1995 International Space Development Conference to Cleveland, OH.(National Space Society annual conference.) As a member of the ISDC 1995 committee, I help to conduct the conference and model contest. This was the largest event sponsored by the Midwest Space Development Conference. Dwindling numbers and other commitments by core member forced the breakup of MSDC. [Go to Astra's Space Explorer's Page]
I have written a full-length book containing my researches on Women in Astronomy containing biographical sketches of everyone I could find from antiquity to the first have of 1900's. After that time frame, the field expands and I never got around to trying to get interviews. The book was never published,but the research is still good and so is my manuscript. I have given presentations on women astronomers including Caroline Herschel, Maria Mitchell and the Harvard College lady astronomers. I tried many times to get this manuscript published, who knows, maybe someday I'll succeed. [Go to the Star Wimin Page]
I have also studied archeoastronomy for many years, learning to ask questions that most people would never have a reason to ask, especially in today's age of light pollution. My in depth study was inspired by my research in the Maya culture and hieroglyphs. I wrote a number of papers on this subject that are also unpublished, but I am planning on adding some of the knowledge that I gained through the study of archeoastronomy to Astra's, notably information on the behavior of the planet Venus. Archeoastronomy is observational, cultural, historical and fascinating. [Go to Astra's Maya Astronomy Page]
In addition to the previously listed subjects, I have given presentations on: Hubble Space Telescope, Binocular Observing, Making a Telescope, Choosing a Telescope, Starting out in Astronomy, Ares: Launching a New Era in Space Exploration, Women's Contributions in Astronomy, George Diedrich, the Ohio Turnpike Astronomers Association, CAA Histroy, Observing Jupiter, Observational Programs for Amateurs, Carboniferous Plant Fossils and many others. I love to share my knowledge with others. I have participated in the AstroProject and worked with students in high school and grade school. My work has been published in Teaching Space, a teacher's newsletter sponsored by MSDC and Aerospace Frontiers, the NASA Glenn newsletter.
In 1997, I began working full time as a contract worker at NASA Glenn Research Center. My job, until recently, worked into more and more outreach until I was working at it full time. Unfortunately, budget cuts forced me to tae up other work. During the years I worked outreach, I attended many air shows, including EAA's Oshkosh, Dayton Air Show and Cleveland National Air Show. My favorite contribution was in 2003 when I participated in many Centennial of Flight events. I am very proud of my contributions in the outreach area at NASA because I feel I touch many people at these activities. One of our feature programs included a photobooth, where we took people's picture and gave them a copy of themselves in astronaut suits as if they had gone into space. While I worked at the photobooth, I personal snapped the shutter of the camera to take pictures of over 35,000 people. My efforts resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being photographed, by working to get equipment, personnel and supplies to various programs. The totally electronic photobooth was pioneered by workers at NASA Glenn Research Center and today many forms of the photo booth are used by NASA, all over the country and occasionally, outside of the country. Although I was paid for this work, I still consider this work among my accomplishments.
One other accomplishment that came from my work as NASA Glenn, is that I have been able to assist with the mentoring of many bright, young people who come to the center under educational programs. I have assisted many young people with web authoring activities, teaching them the basics and watching them take off on their own. I have assisted many times with the day to day activities of mentors and their students, filling in at odd times as well as being considered the alternate mentor formally. There is nothing more rewarding to me that inspiring people to explore their talents and abilities, introducing them to astronomy, space, science, mathematics, as well as encouraging them to reach for the stars.
In December 2001, I fulfilled a long held dream of earning an amateur radio license, technician class. My call sign is KC8SQN. In July of 2002, I upgraded to General license, passing the written exam and the morse code test. I am a member of the Buckeye Belles, a special interest group of women with ham licenses. (In "ham-speak", a female hams is called, Young Lady, in contrast to their male counterpart who is called, "Old Man.")
In recent years, I joined the Starfleet, the International Star Trek Fan Club and took classes at Starfleet Academy, learning as well as having fun. I discuss my trekkie accomplishments on the Starfleet page. I plan to continue my learning at Starfleet Academy as well as in other areas of my life. My mind never seems to tire of finding out what and why. I continue to expand my knowledge of graphics, web pages and computers, always pressing the limit of my knowledge. I have studied art, science, history, and people most of my life and doubt that I'll ever stop. Nature fascinates me and I seem to be on an unending quest to improve my knowledge and myself. Closing, I leave you with a message from one of my favorite hymns...
...This is my Father's world and to my listening ear,
Nature sings and around me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world, I rest me in the thought,
Of rocks and trees and of skies and seas...
Professional Awards
2005 Group Achievement Award
Participation in the Glenn Exploration of Partnership Opportunities Workshop
(NASA Glenn EXPO)
2000 Team Special Achievement Award
Participation in the Oshkosh AirVenture 2000 for the Microgravity Science Division
NASA Glenn Research Center
1999 Cortez/Omni Office Support Clerical Award
Special Interest Awards
December 2001, North Coast Fossil Club Annual Chitterly Award
Fossils of the Pennsylvanian Era feature fossils collected in St. Clair, PA
1994 Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
Observer of the Year
1993 Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
Observer of the Year
1992 Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
Observer of the Year
1992 Astronomical League – Great Lakes Region
Outstanding Achievement in Telescope Design, Dobsonian 3rd Place
Hidden Hollow/Greatcon 1992 (12-1/2 Newtonian)
1988 Cuyahoga Astronomical Association
Observer of the Year
August 1987 - Black Rive Astronomical Society, OTAA Meeting
Best Homebuilt Telescope (6-inch Newtonian)
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Beam me back, Astra!
This page was modified on 01/18/2007