CMJA

I have been an amateur astronomer since 1975 and, like most, have acquired progressively larger telescopes; the last two being housed in domed observatories (home made and commercial).

I co-founded and have been the President of The Durham Region Astronomical Association since its inception in 2001.

I am a professional land use planner, and I have used my expertise in that area to build awareness in local government of the negative environmental effects of light pollution. These efforts have resulted in municipalities adopting policies and guidelines aimed at mitigating light pollution.

I only recently became a member of the AAVSO since I am embarking on a structured program of photometry with CCDs and automated telescope and dome control systems. My robotic telescope became operational on 2010-09-10; doing CCD photometry of Bulletin Stars, Special Requests, and CV's through Johnson/Cousins BVRcIc filters. My first variable star observation of AM Her was submitted on 2010-09-13.