Chris Stephan

  I've always loved the night sky. As a child, I often would go outdoors at night and enjoy the starry sky. I began observing variable stars in March of 1973. My first variable star was Z UMa., which I still observe to this day. I laugh now when I look back at how excited I was after making that observation, calling people on the phone to tell them about it. I officially joined the AAVSO in May 1976.

Well, the variable star fever has stayed with me. I have made over 30,000 variable star estimates to date. My main area of interest is in eclipsing binary stars. I have been deeply involved for five to six years on observing eclipsers in Puppis at far southern declinations.

I also enjoy long period stars, U Gem. stars, novae and supernovae. Some of my favorite stars are SS Cyg, R CrB, R Leo, RZ Cas, and X Tri.

Besides observing variable stars, I am an active Lunar occultation observer and meteor observer. I am also a member of American Meteor Society and the North American Meteor Network.

My main variable star scope is a fourteen-inch reflector. I also have a 10" Dobsonian reflector, a 4.7" f-10 refractor, 15x70 binoculars and 10x50 binoculars that I use for variable star observing. I dedicated my home observing location as the "Robert Clyde Observatory" in November of 2001.

In August of 2001 I organized a Hands On Astrophysics workshop at Sebring Middle School. Janet Mattei, Aaron Price, and Brian Rogan came down and presented the workshop to Highlands County teachers.

Along with astronomy, my other hobby is gardening. I have had 2 articles published in FLORIDA GARDENING magazine.

One of my greatest joys has been to see my 18 year-old son, Andrew, get interested in astronomy. Andrew began observing variable stars in October 1997. His favorite three stars are WZ Cas, R Leo, and BU Tau. Andrew usually makes his estimates with binoculars or my fourteen-inch scope.

Andrew is currently a student at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi taking up Business. His mother went to Belhaven. Andrew's other interests include books, football, and cars.

It is truly an honor to be in the AAVSO. I feel it is an organization of QUALITY. Variable star astronomy is one of the best areas that amateurs can contribute to the science. I also want to encourage you fathers to let your children get involved with you in this fun hobby.