Being something of a geek is just part of who I am.

A good manifestation of this is my passion for astronomy, which has been a lifelong interest that I only ventured into when I finished my MBA.

In the time since, I have come to see that the heavens have a kind of siren call for me. There’s something calming about observing them; something that forces caution in the face of a crazed world.

That forces patience in a guy who can be quick to decide.

That forces deep contemplation in a mind that typically thinks, decides, acts and talks quickly.

That connects our hyper-networked world with that of the ancients, who were more in tune with the heavens than most of us are today.

In addition to my own discovery, I try to share my telescope, as part of an unwritten deal made with the good friend who gave (!) me my first real scope. So, for the past several years, I’ve made sure to share the view through the scope (or my knowledge) with neighbors, friends, my son’s Cub Scout pack and Boy Scout troop, the local YMCA summer camp, Southington schools, a shoreline cottage association and anyone interested. There’s just something astonishly rewarding about having a kid look at Saturn for the first time and say, “Wow.”

In my spare time, on clear nights, it’s not that unusual to see me in the backyard, at Camp Sloper or just on the front step, looking up.

My last astronomy challenge to myself was to to observe all of the 110 deep space objects that Charles Messier cataloged in 1774. I finally did it in 2014, which isn’t bad for someone living in the light-polluted Northeast!

What’s new in my astronomy hobby?  Read more about my latest astronomical adventures.

Or check out my document about how to get into the hobby.