| ...is an amateur astronomer who has lived in Waco, Texas, since 1966. Born in Houston, he grew up in nearby Bayview, on the banks of Galveston Bay -- a few miles from the site which became NASA's Johnson Space Center. As a teenager in the 1950s, the dark skies over Galveston Bay, and the inspiration of an 81-year-old stargazer, Margaret Willits, sparked his early interest in astronomy. His love for the stars was rekindled in the mid-1980s in anticipation of the return of Halley's Comet. |
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...is the author of the "Stargazer" column published in the Waco Tribune-Herald and other Texas newspapers. Originated in January 1990, "Stargazer" appears every other week.
...teaches non-credit amateur astronomy short-courses. Designed for novice stargazers, Paul's courses include indoor sessions and field observation. They require no equipment or prior knowledge.
...conducts public and private amateur astronomy slide programs and star parties for children and adults in schools, camps, parks and other settings.
...is the author of (A Beginner's Guide to) Learning the Night Sky (2003) and Stargazer's Life List (2004).
Additional information: * Paul Derrick is a retired social worker and college professor who holds M.S.W. and Ph.D. degrees in social work from the University of Texas at Austin. * Paul and his wife, Jane, are folk musicians. (See Paul's Music Page.)
They are also founders of Waldo's Coffeefhouse . * Paul and Jane are active members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco. Contact Paul at:918 N. 30th St., Waco, TX 76707-2502
(254) 753-6920 (voice and fax)
(254) 723-6346 (mobile phone)
paulderrickwaco@aol.com
