...a site for amateur astronomers.
(A Beginner's Guide to) Learning the Night Sky, 2nd Edition
and
Stargazer's Life List
(Sorry, but both books are currently out-of-print.
Contact me if you are interested in a print-your-own e-version of either book.)
- Paul is the author of the STARGAZER column which appears twice monthly in the Waco Tribune-Herald and other newspapers. You may read recent columns or access the archives of previous Stargazer columns. Click here for the CURRENT STARGAZER column. [Note: newspapers interested in carrying Stargazer may get more information HERE.]
NOTE: With the Aug. 24, 2012, column, my Stargazer column is being retired. Having just turned 72 years of age, and after 22 1/2 years of writing 587 columns, I've enjoyed about all I have the energy to handle. I truly hope you've enjoyed Stargazer and will continue to visit this website for the monthly sky calendar and other features. And note, with the exception of a few years in the 1990s, previous Stargazer columns can be seen in the archives.
Regards, Paul
- Paul teaches LEARNING THE NIGHT SKY , a 4-session (2 classroom and 2 "under the stars" sessions), non-credit short-course designed to help participants learn the basics of stargazing and begin to learn their way around the night sky. Click above to learn more about this course and its schedule. Next class: TBA
- Paul conducts public and private amateur astronomy slide PROGRAMS AND STAR PARTIES (indoor and outdoor, day and night) for children and adults in schools, camps, parks and other settings. If you would like Paul to present a program or star party for your group, class or organization, check here for scheduling information. See MAPS & DIRECTIONS to star party areas.
- Here you'll find basic STARGAZING INFORMATION, especially helpful to new stargazers.
- Here you'll find LINKS to other astronomy-related Web sites.
- Paul is an active and charter member of the CENTRAL TEXAS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY which owns and operates the Turner Research Station near Clifton, TX. TRS is the home of the Meyer Observatory which houses a 24-inch robotic research-grade telescope.
- So who is PAUL DERRICK? (Also see Paul's Music Gigs and Music Photo History pages.)
SOLAR ECLIPSE COUNTDOWN:
It's now less than 5 years until the Aug. 21, 2017, total eclipse of the Sun over the central U.S., and
less than 12 years until the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse passes over the heart of central Texas.
Make your plans early!
For more information see TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSES IN OUR FUTURE!
Non-astronomy sites of interest to some but not all:
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waco
Ft. Parker Weekend (annual weekend of fun and music)
