Janet A. Mattei
Littleton, MA

As most already know, former AAVSO Director Janet Mattei passed away March 22, 2004 after valiant fight with acute leukemia. Janet served as AAVSO Director for 30 years and was dedicated to the union of professional and amateur astronomer collaboration worldwide. Through Janet’s tireless leadership, the AAVSO evolved to meet many new challenges and has continued to prosper, thanks to her guidance. We remain enormously proud of Janet and are forever grateful for her inspiring devotion to the AAVSO, its members and observers, and to variable star astronomy. Janet leaves behind her personal legacy of striving for excellence, dedication, and compassion.

A pioneer in comet research, Fred Whipple began work at the Harvard College Observatory in 1931 and from 1955 to 1973 directed the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, helping it to become the renowned Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

Phillip Morrison
Cambridge, MA

A renowned and beloved Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) theoretical astrophysicist, Morrison became widely known for his research and professional contributions in quantum electrodynamics, nuclear theory, radiology, isotope geology and, since the 1950s, in cosmic-ray origins and propagation, gamma-ray astronomy and other topics in high-energy astrophysics and in cosmology.

Noel Peattie
Winters, CA

Noel began variable star observing in 1969, and contributed 1,569 observations to the AAVSO through October 2003. He was a librarian, publisher, and a successful poet and author whose works are still available.

Hans Sorensen
Denmark

A lontime observer of the Danish group Astronomisk Selskab, Hans began submitting observations to the AAVSO in 1998, and throughout 2001 he contributed 1,538 observations, nearly half of the PEP.

Dorthy Beetle-Pillmore
Fort Collins, CO

Dorthy developed a lasting interest in natural history and astronomy at a young age. She pursued many interests and professions and received a bachelor’s degree in paleontology and a master’s degree in botany. In 1963, Dorothy took a job in Charlotte,N.C., at the Children's Nature Museum, where she became the director of the planetarium. Subsequently, she directed planetariums in Newport News, Va., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Columbus,Ga., before retiring in 1984.

James G. Baker
Bedford, NH

An astronomer who designed powerful lenses and cameras for the U-2 spy plane in the 1950's, Baker became a pioneer of satellite reconnaissance in the cold war. Baker also worked to improve the accuracy of telescope optics and designed the Baker Super-Schmidt camera to photograph meteors. With George Z. Dimitroff, he wrote the 1945 book "Telescopes and Accessories."

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