Richard's Bio     

Richard had an interest in astronomy at a very young age but couldn't do anything about it until he was 8 years old, since he had poor vision. Then he got a haircut. Richard  graduated from the Department of Astronomy at the University of South Florida/University of Florida in 1979 with  a B.S. and M.S. in  Astronomy, specializing in positional astronomy.  His graduate work was with the world renowned astronomer and astrometrist  Heinrich K. Eichhorn.  Professor Eichhorn is known for numerous original contributions to astronomy including his superior work in the early 1970's (along with astronomer  George Gatewood) disproving  Peter van de Kamp's theory claiming the existence of a planetary companion of Barnard's Star, the 2nd nearest star to our solar system.  Professor Eichhorn's philosophy has made a  lasting impression on Richard.

Positional astronomy deals with the precise determination of stellar positions and motions of stars, star clusters and other objects in the Universe.  Since the motions of stars are so small, it takes years to accurately measure these motions using highly sophisticated techniques and equipment.  Richard worked at  NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas  specializing in image processing and analysis of images from the LANDSAT satellites to determine world crop inventories from space.  He  then moved into the Space Shuttle Program's GNC division (Guidance, Navigation and Control)  performing critical real time calculations of Space Shuttle orbits and rendezvous maneuvers including instrument pointing to celestial objects.  Richard has over 60 publications in both professional journals and astronomy  newsletters.  Richard left the space program to start his own real estate investment business and has successfully bought and sold over 250 single family homes and apartments.  Richard has traveled worldwide on over 100 scientific expeditions involving lunar and asteroid occultations and solar eclipses. Richard is also an devoted athlete, competing in adventure races and other endurance events , some  25-30 miles and longer, and is a Senior member of  Jack Walston's  Navy SEAL Physical Training Alpha Team.  

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