About Me
This blog is written by Steve Owens, a freelance science communicator, writer, astronomer, and skeptic. I ran the planetarium at Glasgow Science Centre for four years, and the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in the UK for two years, during which time I helped establish the UK’s first International Dark Sky Park in Galloway, Scotland, and sat on the Dark Sky Discovery steering group. I have since then led the successful bid for the Channel Island of Sark to become the world’s first Dark Sky Island, and I am working with a number of other parks and communities in their efforts.
I was presented with the Federation of Astronomical Societies 2010 award for Outstanding Achievement in Astronomy, and the Campaign for Dark Skies 2010 award for Efforts in Dark Sky Preservation. I was also short-listed for the UK Space Conference’s 2010 Arthur Clarke award. I am a 2011 Winston Churchill Traveling Fellow.
I am 36, have a first class degree in Physics and Astronomy, have been a professional science communicator for the last ten years, and became a father for the first time in 2009.
You can read more about me on my website: www.owens-online.co.uk
Hi, just found your site. A lot of this material reminds me of my old friend Fred Schaaf, who I haven’t heard from for thirty years, whom I met by mail after reading his book Wonders of the Sky, and was on his Dark Skies for Comet Halley newsletter. Is he around somewhere? Great to meet you!
Hi Steve,
I’m Gary Citro, the guy whose scope you peered through for an hour or so on the Deck of the B & B near Cherry Springs. It was wonderful to see you again after meeting you at the IDA Conference. Good luck with the rest of your journey.
Hey Gary, it was great to meet you too! We’re in darkest New Mexico now, heading for Arizona tomorrow.
Hello Steve, happy new year! does you blog has a facebook link so that we can receive update about your new posts directly on our wall? Please share. I love your site. Thank you for such great work you are doing, Sudip.
Hey Steve,
Love the site! I am dying to go to a night sky park in the USA – do you have any recommendations? Im looking for something not too painful to get to. I was thinking about Clayton Lake.
Hi James, where do you live? That would determine where I’d recommend you go.
Greetings from Cherry Springs, Steve..hope all is well with you and your family. Chip sends his regards. We have been enjoying an early warm spring here this year which means early visitors to the park – excellent!. I wanted to pass this link along to you. This is a time-lapse video made by a young lady, Caroline Weathers, who visited the park with her dad this winter. She is fifteen years old.
http://vimeo.com/39010582
Please say hello to your wife and son from us!
Maxine