Galaxies and How to Observe Them

Wolfgang Steinicke:

www.klima-luft.de/steinicke
amastro: deep sky observation mailing list (US)

I've been a visual observer since I was 10. I started early to collect literature and data on various deep-sky objects (Messier, NGC, and IC), especially galaxies. My preference for science led me to study physics and mathematics in Aachen and Freiburg, Germany, later specialising in relativistic astrophysics and general relativity.

Since 1976 I'm a member of several astronomical organisations. In 1984 an amateur observatory was build on the Schauinsland near Freiburg at 1250 m. With its 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, and now complimented with a 20" Dobsonian, I have observed a wide variety of deep sky objects including galaxies, quasars and groups of galaxies. I have also published observing catalogues of the latter classes ("Catalogue of Bright Quasars and BL Lacertae Objects" and "Catalogue of Galaxy Groups"). My long-term interest in deep sky data led to the compilation of the "Revised New General and Index Catalogue", first published in 1996.

At present I'm a staff member of the "Institute for the History of Science" at Hamburg University, Fellow of the "Royal Astronomical Society" (F.R.A.S.), council member of the "Webb Deep Sky Society" (and director of the "Nebulae & Cluster" section), core team member of the international "NGC/IC Project", head of the section "Geschichte der Astronomy" of the German "Vereinigung der Sternfreunde" (being also their vice-president), member of the "Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" of the "Astronomische Gesellschaft", editor of the "Journal für Astronomie", and editorial staff member of the magazine "Interstellarum". I'm author of many papers in German and international magazines, of the "Praxishandbuch Deep Sky" (Kosmos) and the monograph "Extragalactic Objects Discovered as Variable Stars" (published by the Webb Deep Sky Society).

RichJakiel:

My interest in astronomy dates back to my youth in the 1960's, as I had a keen interest in the race to the Moon. Under the dark skies of Western New York, I started out by learning the constellations and using my father's binoculars to find the brighter Messier objects. In 1974, I bought my first real telescope - a 4 ½-inch reflector and soon I was hunting down all the Messier list and brighter NGC objects. In 1978, I purchased an 8-inch homebuilt telescope that I used to study the structure of bright galaxies such as M51, plus it allowed for detailed study of the planets. In 1987, I had moved to Atlanta, GA. to take a teaching position. After joining the local astronomy club, I soon had access to much larger and more sophisticated telescopes than what I had in New York. Using the AAC's 20 and 24-inch telescopes, plus my own 17.5-inch Dobsonian, I greatly expanded the range and depth of my observing programs. Currently I have observed well over 5000 galaxies, and I specialise in the visual study of unusual/peculiar, interacting and active galaxies. I have sketched nearly 1200 galaxies, and in 1996 was presented the Webb Society's Graphics Award for my work. I have given numerous presentations and workshops on Drawing at the Eyepiece for many regional and national star parties.

Presently, I am a research scientist working for The State of Georgia's Radiation Protection Program. Over the past twenty years, I have contributed over 50 astronomy articles to magazines and journals that include Sky & Telescope, Astronomy, Deep Sky Observer (DSO), The Strolling Astronomer (ALPO), Astronomie Heute, Magellan, Amateur Astronomy, plus numerous descriptions and drawings for the Night Observer's Guide. I have taught astronomy and physics at the University of West Georgia (1997-2002), and I am currently the director of the Webb Society's Galaxy Section. I am also a member of the Association of Lunar andPlanetary Observers (ALPO), the Astronomical League (AL),