Edward A. Halbach
Encyclopedia
Edward A. Halbach is an American
amateur astronomer
and prolific variable star
observer
.
He developed his interest in astronomy
in 1933. One year later he became a member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers
(AAVSO). He was also one of the first members of the Milwaukee Astronomical Society and directed its observatory for 35 years. In 1947 he was elected the first official president of the Astronomical League
. Besides his numerous variable star observations he was interested also in solar astronomy
and occultation
s.
in 1981 for his variable star and lunar occultation
observations and contributions to artificial satellite programs. The American Association of Variable Star Observers honoured him with the Merit Award in 1988, for his record of more than 50,000 observations in the AAVSO International Database and for 54-year service in the society.
He also won the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
for his variable star and occultation observations in 1997. In 2003 he was awarded the William Tyler Olcott Award of the AAVSO, acknowledging him, among others, as a promoter of variable star observing and a mentor of amateur astronomers. By that time he contributed to the society's database with over 98,000 observations.
The Milwaukee Astronomical Society named one of their two 12.5 inches (31.8 cm) telescopes "Halbach reflector" in his honour. On April 7, 2009 he celebrated his 100th birthday, a landmark that was noted on the NBC television program Today.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
amateur astronomer
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy and stargazing, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky , and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars...
and prolific variable star
Variable star
A star is classified as variable if its apparent magnitude as seen from Earth changes over time, whether the changes are due to variations in the star's actual luminosity, or to variations in the amount of the star's light that is blocked from reaching Earth...
observer
Observational astronomy
Observational astronomy is a division of the astronomical science that is concerned with getting data, in contrast with theoretical astrophysics which is mainly concerned with finding out the measurable implications of physical models...
.
He developed his interest in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
in 1933. One year later he became a member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers
American Association of Variable Star Observers
Since its founding in 1911, the American Association of Variable Star Observers has coordinated, collected, evaluated, analyzed, published, and archived variable star observations made largely by amateur astronomers and makes the records available to professional astronomers, researchers, and...
(AAVSO). He was also one of the first members of the Milwaukee Astronomical Society and directed its observatory for 35 years. In 1947 he was elected the first official president of the Astronomical League
Astronomical League
The Astronomical League is an umbrella organization of amateur astronomy societies. Currently their membership consists of over 240 organizations across the United States, along with a number of Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members....
. Besides his numerous variable star observations he was interested also in solar astronomy
Solar astronomy
Solar astronomy is stellar astronomy of the sun.*Timeline of solar astronomy*Solar telescopes*List of solar telescopes*Coronagraph*Helioseismology-Sun size relative to its distance from Proxima Centauri:...
and occultation
Occultation
An occultation is an event that occurs when one object is hidden by another object that passes between it and the observer. The word is used in astronomy . It can also refer to any situation wherein an object in the foreground blocks from view an object in the background...
s.
Acknowledgement
The Astronomical League awarded Edward Halbach with the Astronomical League Award in 1972 and the Leslie C. Peltier AwardLeslie C. Peltier Award
The Leslie C. Peltier Award is an annual award given by the Astronomical League to an amateur astronomer who has contributed observations of lasting significance...
in 1981 for his variable star and lunar occultation
Observing the Moon
The Moon is Earth's largest natural satellite and the nearest major celestial object. Observing the Moon can be accomplished by using a variety of instruments ranging from the naked eye to large telescopes...
observations and contributions to artificial satellite programs. The American Association of Variable Star Observers honoured him with the Merit Award in 1988, for his record of more than 50,000 observations in the AAVSO International Database and for 54-year service in the society.
He also won the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...
for his variable star and occultation observations in 1997. In 2003 he was awarded the William Tyler Olcott Award of the AAVSO, acknowledging him, among others, as a promoter of variable star observing and a mentor of amateur astronomers. By that time he contributed to the society's database with over 98,000 observations.
The Milwaukee Astronomical Society named one of their two 12.5 inches (31.8 cm) telescopes "Halbach reflector" in his honour. On April 7, 2009 he celebrated his 100th birthday, a landmark that was noted on the NBC television program Today.