Growing up in the 1940’s was fun. That was before TV and computers became popular and took over our minds. We had only what as our forefathers left us; and that was little or not much in material things, and what their forefathers had left them and so on. Technology has always been part of the human experience and by studying past developments in technology we are amazed at such greatness our forefathers seemed to possess. They did much to build a nation with so little help from other nations.  Freedom and the yearning for knowledge may have been the secret of their success.  What may not be obvious is that we possess the same values. Those values they had with an added benefit of the history of their accomplishments.

To us youngsters an astronomer was an old bearded nerd, with white hair, in a three-piece suit, and who babbled about all kinds of out of the world things. Things that we had no idea about. I remember the movie, “The Day the Earth Stood Still!”  Goose bumps came up on my arms -- even affected my Dad! In the movie a flying saucer landed in Washington, DC and a spaceman came out to talk, but was met by the Army and bullets. He was wounded and they took him to a nearby hospital where he later escaped and took up residence in a rooming house. Of course, there was a widow with a young boy who befriended the alien and helped him to meet a prominent astronomer or "professor" type person. He wanted to speak with some one with political power, who in turn would give the message to whole world.  It was a warning to change our ways -- or be doomed. The old gent in the movie really impressed us kids. So, from our perspective to aspire to become an astronomer was to grow old and have white hair – and be a highly educated Einstein-like character. It was an impression that would stay with me.

Several years after my father returned from WWII his spinster grandmother paid his way to a photo engraver school in St. Louis, MO and another in Milwaukee, WI.  A war buddy of my father lived north of Milwaukee was also to attend the school and wrote by Dad with plans to meet him there.  Because my mother would be left with me and my younger brother they decided that Dad would take me with him. So, in the summer of 1948 we set out riding stream trains to the various places. It seemed to take an eternity -- and when the school was over my Dad’s friend drove us to his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  We attended a tour at the Yerkes Observatory where the world's largest refractor (40" aperture) is located and actually looked through it!  At Mars!!!  The trip back seemed even longer. Those memories would stay with me the rest of my life -- probably reinforced by conversations with my father during his lifetime -- but still faintly visible in my mind.  So, my first Mars observation was in the summer of 1948 and I continue observing the Red Planet today.

After that my parents would occasionally take me to Chapel Hill, NC to visit one of the largest planetariums in the United States.  That was a great thrill for me and also local amateur astronomers would set up telescopes nearby so we could observe.  I always requested to see Mars, if it was up, and they would do so.  After that I saw Mars in a telescope occasionally wherever a telescope was available.  After growing up the feeling that astronomy was unattainable slowly began to wane and it became obvious that Hollywood’s movies are not always truthful. So some of us would seek knowledge in the science of astronomy the old fashion way – we would take the plunge and follow our instincts.

In early 1959 I joined the U.S. Air Force then went off visiting the world and enjoying my Other Interests.  I would occasionally observe Mars while stationed at Naha, AB, Okinawa whenever the spirit moved me and the amateur group would set up – right there on base where the sky was velvet black.  I was there for over two years (late 1959 – mid-1962) would see Mars during the 1962 apparition.   The club there used giant telescopes, 3" and one 6-inch!!!!!!  Wow, that was big time 8-)

So, from my first telescopic viewing of the Mars in 1948 and occasionally thereafter, observing when the opportunity presented itself -- I have been steady at it.  In 1973 my wife gave me a 60mm Tasco refractor for Christmas to observe comet Kahutek and that was enough to renew my interest in astronomy and telescopes. At least the hobby would lead me to meet friendly people and eventually this would help when a job change was imminent.  My first amateur telescope making project, with the help of our mid-night foreman at work, enabled me build a small Newtonian from a kit. After a couple more attempts making telescopes the local club encouraged me build a larger instrument and so on. While working nightshift we would go up on the roof of our 8-story building during breaks or lunch time to observe.  The roof had high walls and was secure, so three of us put telescopes up there to stay. Over those years, until hurricane Andrew nearly blew us off the map, we made a lot if telescopes and I still have three of them.

After moving to Miami in early 1973 I visited the museum and met some Southern Cross Astronomical Society (S.C.A.S.) folks.  They invited me to their monthly meeting and use their observatory on the roof of the museum. I returned occasionally and began to attend the monthly meetings and met Bill Douglass, the president of the Society. In 1975 I met Don Parker and then Chick Capen, Mars Recorder for Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (A.L.P.O.) and internationally known Mars expert, when he was talking about Mars at the S.C.A.S. monthly meeting.  Bill, Don, Chick and I became friends after that and I began observing Mars more often and by 1977 my Mars observing was in full swing. Charles F. ("Chick") Capen gave a second talk on Mars at the S.C.A.S. meeting in February 1979 and urged both Parker and me to help him with the A.L.P.O. Mars Section.  We had been contributing observations to him for a few years and soon thereafter we both became assistant Mars Recorders.  After talking with Chick about his life I suddenly remembered his name in an old book that I had from my high school days, Men, Rockets, and Space Rats, [Lloyd Mallan, (C)1955, Pub. Julian Messner, Inc.] and discussed the book with him at length.  This book had a great influence on me and may have changed my life [Charles F. Capen - Men, Rockets, and Space Rats, 50, 51-54]; [Secrets of Space Flight, 45, 94].

LEFT:  The Infamous "Black Hole Gang,” Left to Right:  Me, Chick Capen, Don Parker and Bill Douglass in 1980 at the Capen house in Flagstaff, Arizona.  RIGHT:  Don, me and Chick using the Lowell Observatory’s 24-inch Clark Refractor.

Bill encouraged me to join the SCAS in 1975 and to especially come to an upcoming meeting where Dr. Don Parker, was to give a talk on Mars. I had previously hinted to Bill that Mars was a fascination and I had observed it during the 1973 apparition and had begun to observe it again in 1975. So, I came and met Don and we have been friends and
observing partners ever since. After that Don, Bill and I invited Mars expert, Chick Capen, the SCAS to give a talk on Mars a few times and sequentially we would fly out to Flagstaff to visit with Chick and observe on Mars Hill with the Lowell 24-inch Clark. As a result of several sessions of partaking in adult beverages Chick began to call our small group of four "the Black Hole Gang." He confessed to us that while being with the three of us it was like stepping into a
black hole! So the title for the groups was appropriate and remains even with us today.

The four of us remained close friends until Capen passed away in May of 1986. However, we continued to visit with Chick's widow, Gina, in Missouri and attend ALPO meetings together with the founder of ALPO, Walter Haas, Dave Raden and others all around the country to honor Chick's work. During those times Don and I have attained considerable international attention and our research work on Mars is recognized the world over. Between the three of us, Bill, Don and me, we have published close to 500 papers in both amateur and professional journals and magazines – and lectured all over the world. Of course, our appreciation for all this has been gratifying for many personal reasons, not the least of which is the years of friendship and working together with Bill and Chick.

Meeting of members of the Planetary Society Marswatch '88 Science Advisory Council. Left2Right: Phil James (U. of Toledo), Don Parker (ALPO),   Steve Edberg (JPL), Chris McKay (NASA-AMES), Mike Mumma (Goddard), Terry Martin (JPL), and Louis D. Friedman, (The Planetary Society).

LEFT: Walter Haas, founder of the ALPO, with his 12.5” f/9 Newtonian in Las Cruces, NM.  RIGHT:  L2R: Don Parker, Jeff Beish (me), Walter Haas, and Cecil Post enjoying a beer at a local restaurant during the 1998 ALPO meeting in Decatur, GA.

Photo of the 1989 Walter Haas Award at the WAA/ALPO meeting in Pasadena, CA .  Don Parker presents me with the award. Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of the planet Pluto, sitting center right in photo.

Photo of some ALPO members at the 1981 ALPO meeting in Kutztown, PA.

During that time I became a Member of the Board of Fellows of the S.C.A.S. were invited to join the British Astronomical Association (B.A.A.), and several others that slip my mind.  In 1980 I became a Senior Mars Recorder for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) and was an invited to join the British Astronomical Association (BAA). We were invited to join the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA), Conseiller for the Planet Mars for the Groupement International d'Observateurs De Surfaces Planetaires (G.I.O.S.P.)  In 1987 we served on the Mars Watch '88 Science Advisory Council of The Planetary Society, member of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and member of the Division of Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society (AAS).  I was the Executive Director for the Institute for Planetary Research Observatories (IPRO), a non-profit foundation [501 (c) 3].

CURRICULUM VITAE: Beishpap.htm

One of many observing sessions at the Douglass Observatory with local SCAS members and USNO astronomers.  This was to observe and record the Occultation of 1 Vulpeculae by the Minor Planet Pallas.  L2R:  Don Monger, Doug Gegen, Jim Martin, Bill Douglass and Jeff Beish (me).   (Don Parker present but not in photo).

With our association with Capen we became close friends with Tom Cave and the host of telescope makers he knew.  By attending a lot of meetings around the country we met with many of the most notable ATM’ers and would sit around shooting the breeze; a lot about telescope design and such.  One advantage of going to astronomy meeting and star parties is meeting all sorts of people and discovering ideas that we normally can’t find in magazines or books.  Discussing issues about observing and telescope building with the most well known astronomers and telescope makers has been a great pleasure and learning experience.  Losing count of the many meetings I have attended over the years a few stick out that should be regular event for anyone interested in telescopes and observing: A.L.P.O. Annual Conventions where they usually meet with Astronomical League National and Astronomical Society of the Pacific or the Western Amateur Astronomers.  I especially liked Riverside Telescope Makers Conference out in southern California where may of the most notable ATM’ers congregate.  Of course, the Winter Star Party is just one of many great star parties that you can find a wide variety of home built telescopes and equipment.  S.C.A.S. had a great Amateur Telescope Making (ATM) group so we set out in the 1970’s to build some moderate telescopes. My Personal Observatories:  IsoObservatory.htm

During a two-week period, in late October and November 1990, my assignment was to photograph Mars for the International Planetary Patrol.  Leonard Martin was the primary Mars researcher at the Lowell Planetary Research Lab, so he would all upon several of us from time to time to observe for the International Planetary Patrol.

In early 1980 I became friends with Tippy and Patty D'Auria, who founded and managed the famous Winter Star Party in south Florida, and remain close today -- as Tippy has also retired to yard work and casual observing the heavens with his telescopes.

Located about 20 miles southwest of Miami, Florida was the U.S. Naval Observatory Time Service Alternate Station (NOTSAS). The station was located next to the grounds of an old WW-I & II blimp station, and the Dade County Metro Zoo. Part of the old blimp hanger is still there and used by the fire department for training. The station had a staff of eight people attached with the Navy and one technician with NOAA. We had three astronomers, one mathematician, a technician, and an engineer, or technician depending of which hat I wore on that particular day.

Before my time at the station a friend and also amateur astronomer, Don Monger, was the USNO-NOTSAS director and then Jim Martin took over when Don retired. When I began at the USNO Time Service Station it was manned by eight people; Alice Babcock (Director), who was transferred to the Flagstaff Station, and was replaced by Tim Carroll. The station employees were: Ron Medford (Assistant Director), Melvin White (mathematician), Ron Anderkitus (astronomer and time keeper), Ed Luckas (Technician), Mike Mooney (astronomer) who was forced to resign in 1995, Jim Sweeney (NGS) who retired in December 1989 and was replaced by Greg DeAngelo, and me (USNO).

Our primary mission was to supply the United States Navy with "Atomic Time" in case the primary time service station in Washington, DC failed. We had an appropriate number of "atomic clocks" (Cesium Clocks) and hydrogen masers (a maser is a very accurate hydrogen based oscillator) and several computers to record time data and compute the average 1-second pulses from all the clocks and masers. Our secondary mission was to work with a worldwide network of radio telescopes to provide Very Long Based Interferometery (VLBI) data. Located on our station was an 18-meter radio telescope that was literally found in a junkyard near another radio observatory in Massachusetts.  The name was changed a few times from "Alternate Station" to "Sub-Station" then, well; we never quite caught up with the changes before it closed. We thought it was appropriate to call it "Sub-station" because the superintendent of the USNO at that time was a former Submarine commander!

I attended the January 1990 annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society representing NOTAS with Alice Babcock. Also, I participated in the Lowell International Planetary Patrol at Mauna Kea, Hawaii from October 29 through November 8, 1990.  While there I made hundreds of photographs of Mars.

On August 24, 1992, hurricane Andrew damaged the USNO station and destroyed the old 18-meter radio telescope. After two years of repairs to the station we finally received the new 20-meter f/0.4 prime focus radio telescope from a company in California. During the second week of May 1995 the radio receiver arrived and after we installed it the telescope began operation in the fall of 1995.  That was my primary duty -- to manage the radio astronomy maintenance and operation.

From the time hurricane Andrew hit us until August 1996 I installed and operated two satellite antennas for 2-way time transfers with USNO in Washington. Also, I was required to design software for automated control of precise time transfer and calculations between our station and the U.S. Naval Observatory Time Station in Washington, D.C., and several other time service stations around the world.  We had a 4.6-meter Andrew antenna before the storm, but replaced it with a 3.7-meter dish and also a 2-meter dish. (See smaller satellite dish in center right of Figure 4 above).

My duties included maintenance and service of the geosynchronous orbit satellite antenna transmitter and receiver systems and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) systems working in conjunction with satellite time transfer systems (See: Two-Way Satellite Time Transfer.  I was assigned additional duties for collecting and analysis of ground water level measuring and local meteorological conditions including software and hardware development for our “Gravimeter,” a machine to record the relative gravity in the local area.  It was a strange tank with super conducting coils to stabilize the actual measuring instrumentation and was cooled by a helium Dewar system to around 4 Kelvin.

Radio waves, or electromagnetic energy, are radiated by all matter in our Universe above absolute zero (zero Kelvin) and we can detect it in most cases. All objects that emit energy can be measured and the frequency of the emissions depends on what level of energy the object is radiating.  So, while not going too deeply into Einstein’s theories in this matter (sic), we must understand one principle used in radio astronomy that is similar to optical astronomy -- electromagnetic energy waves in the radio frequencies follow the same basic rules as optical systems.  From these radio-emitting objects the radio telescope, or dish, collects radio energy similarly to the way a lens or mirror collects light energy. The difference is that the human eye, film, or other light sensitive gadgets (CCD) receive this light energy and radio telescopes require a radio receiver.  However, that is getting too deep already, so let’s talk about something more down to Earth. What is it like to be a radio telescope operator and fixer'upper.

VLBI is accomplished by using not one radio dish, but in concert with several other dishes located around the world that is equipped with the same, or nearly same, recording devices and electronics to translate the radio data. The electronics systems combine the hydrogen masers pulses and cesium clock (atomic clock) data with the radio data on magnetic tape.  If a standard time scale and accurate timing system can be connected to each radio dish, synchronized to the same time, then it is possible to coordinate many different telescopes to observe and record the same information on a magnetic tape or other modern recording medium. Most often we would operate simultaneously with three or more, sometimes as many as eight dishes to observe the same object (see Figure 5)!

Continental drift and surface levels also can be determined by using radio telescopes that are grouped together but separated by long distances. If we stationed one dish on Earth directly under the Sun and the other at the Earth’s limb, an oblique triangle is formed. Energy is measured in both systems at the same time; the angle can be used to determine the distance between telescopes. For eight years this author worked with a radio telescope (dish) to determine such mundane phenomena as the rotation of the Earth, tilt and wobble of the Earth’s axis, highly stable pulses from millisecond pulsars, high energy galaxies, quasars, and so on.

A complex radio receiver is used to detect and convert the radio signals to a more usable form for recording on magnetic tape. Our receiver operated in the S-Band (2,000 Megahertz) and X-Band (8,000 Megahertz) and converted to an IF frequency band of 100-600 Megahertz. This data is further reduced in frequency to video frequencies for the recording tape.

A cryogenics helium compressor system is used to cool the receiver pickup and front-end amplifiers to a cool 20 Kelvin! That is -423 degrees Fahrenheit! This involved several hundred feet of stainless steel piping (plumbing) and a helium compressor that provides helium gas to a tank and compressor system called a Dewar a special insulated tank with receiver and its electronics. The very low temperature provided by the Dewar enables the reviver to operate without appreciable noise.

The recordings are made using 9,000-foot reels of magnetic tape with 14 tracks to make high-speed recordings. Several miles of data is recorded each pass the tape makes on the recorder. In fact, in a 24-hour observing period will result in 1,720 miles of data!  The tape recorder utilizes a special read and write head system that can be moved by a few micrometers (microns) to provide 24 passes across the tape -- forward and reverse. Up to eight different telescopes operating simultaneously provides is enough data to each over half way around the Earth in just in 24 hours. You can bet the next generation of higher speed tape recording devices will yield enough data top wrap the complete circumference of the Earth several times over.

Many of the dish drive and associated electronics are located within the pier and control room that contained the tape unit and main computer systems is located about 100 feet away.  The entire operation was controlled by two desktop computers in the control room and directed the inputs/outputs to slew the dish and track objects to be recorded and then set in motion the various systems that would convert the radio electromagnetic information to magnetic tape data.  One of the computers was connected to the Internet via broadband and protected routers that enabled outside stations to communicate with our system.

Before the old dish was replaced the observatory staff would draw straws, so to speak, for operating the scheduled 24-hour observing sessions. We would split the sessions up into four shifts where the midnight shift ran from midnight until 8 a.m. and two 8-hour shifts during the day.  Operating during the day was fairly easy since we would remain at our workstations and continue our regular duties and attend to the scheduled sessions periodically to check on things. The old 18-meter dish was old and not exactly trustworthy, so when it would stop driving or a computer would glitch we would all jump into action to fix the problem. The nightshirt we would find a few moments to sleep, but at times the old dish would not allow much relaxation. Also, if the regular maintenance guy (me) was not on duty I would be called to come help -- at any time of the day or night.

An additional advantage for an active Mars observer was during the midnight shift operating sessions this observer would stay close to the control room with a 12.5-inch f/7 Newtonian telescope and observe the Red Planet as long as I wished to do so. This scope was setup at the observatory site for other observing staff to use as well, and several coworkers participated in the observing sessions.  Whenever a national astronomy day or similar event would take place the USNO would open to the public and staff would help with public observing with my telescope and the station telescopes.

The new dish was a great relief to the maintenance people because it was more reliable than the old dish and required less attention. Modern desktop computers (PC) made all the decisions for slewing and tracking the objects under study and running all the associated electronics.  The Internet connection enabled other agencies to view data or modify controlling software when necessary. As engineer and maintenance technician one of my tasks was to establish remote control from the staff homes using commercial remote control software. This enabled observers to stay at home for the midnight shift sessions and would be alerted by automatic telephone alerts if a problem came up. This method proved successful in that during the remaining time the station was open we lost no observation periods during our night operations. In fact this system made it possible for the maintenance people to remotely analyze problems and fix them if possible using our personal computers at home.  Other functions of the station, such as the two-way satellite time transfers, could be remotely controlled. This proved to work very well and several computer programs wee created to completely automate the system.

On July 4th, 1996 lightening hit near the telescope and damaged the drive electronics. We did not have parts to repair the damage and our fait was sealed. The Navy (USNO) then decided to move the time service system to Falcon Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado and that be completed in November of 1995. Our time service operations stopped in the spring of 1996 and all we had left was the VLBI operations with the radio telescope. By August of 1994, our mathematician and programmer had retired, followed by the deputy director who retired a few months later. One technician transferred to Washington in May 1996 and our time keeper retired in July 1996. By then the station manpower was down to three Navy civilians and one NOAA technician. The radio telescope began to deteriorate and repairs became impossible with no operational funds for parts.

During June 1996 we were notified that the USNO Station was closing and they gave us a choice to either; retire, resign or transfer up to the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, DC.  Having twice given similar choices it was clear at my age that a transfer was in order.  After living in the Miami area for over 24 years we finally left for the northeast. As of October 1996 I had only 4 years and 9 months left until retirement, so we moved south of Washington in Virginia and I reported to work at the U.S. Naval Observatory Time Service Engineering department on September 15, 1996.

The USNO Time Service department was small and located on the second floor of the Time Service building and staffed by nine engineers and one mathematician-computer specialist.  My duties required me to design software and hardware for automated control of precise time transfer and calculations between the U.S. Naval Observatory Time Station in Washington, D.C. and several other time service stations around the world. Our primary remote station was the USNO alternate time service at Schriber (Falcon) Air Force Base, Colorado.  Their job was to supply precise time pulses to the Air Force GPS systems and to coordinate their atomic time with the master time in Washington. My duties also included design, construction and maintenance of the Two-Way Satellite Time Transfer systems and the maintenance and control of environmental chambers for HP5071A cesium clocks and Symmetricom model MHM 2010 hydrogen masers at both locations.

Figure 6.  LEFT: U.S. Naval Observatory Time Service building 78. RIGHT: Two of the dishes used for Two-Way Satellite Time Transfer systems located next to the building 78 and 26-inch telescope dome in the distance.

Figure 7. LEFT:  Cesium Clocks in several small environmental chambers.  RIGHT: Cesium Clocks in one of the larger environmental chambers.

Figure 8.  Caught in the act of performing the real duties of a Real-Time Frequency Engineer at work.  Additional work included mopping up leaking cooling water from environmental chambers.

We had remote time systems located all over the world and my tiny office housed several control systems to communicate and coordinate operations with other government agencies that used GPS, Loran and other navigational aids.  Two-Way Satellite Time Transfers were made with many of the U.S. Air Force and Navy bases where precise time was needed.  This modern method of keeping track of the various clock systems located throughout the world proved very useful in tracking and maintaining the required one nanosecond precision balance of time between the Navy’s national time service and other clocks.

During the years from August 1996 my participating in astronomical meetings became less frequent and numerous. However, continuing my astronomy interests I participated in observing programs at the observatory occasionally with our mathematician, Jim DeYoung, using the 12-inch, 26-inch Clark refractors and a 24-inch F/13.5 Boller and Chivens Cassigrain reflector.  Jim and I would observe Mars using these telescopes before and/or after duty hours; however, as an employee of the Federal Government I hesitated in sending my reports to ALPO and other amateur organizations for obvious reasons. So my observations of Mars during the 1996-97, 1998-99 and early 2000-01 apparitions are not published.

The engineering department was responsible to maintaining the telescope electronics and electrical systems, so we would test and repair anything that needed fixing. Some of the electrical wiring was so old it was literally falling apart and the electronic telescope drive systems predated my entry into the electronics field in 1960!  The newest telescope, a 24-inch Boller and Chivens Cassegrain, had a 1960’s era drive system and parts for it were hard to find. The other telescopes were 19th century vintage and maintenance was a nightmare to say the least.

I attended several star parties with one of the USNO astronomers, Brent Archinal, that was sponsored by the local astronomy society. Meeting in a dark, grassy field at Crockett Park south of Manassas, Virginia I became friends with local amateur astronomer, Myron Wasiuta, of Fredricksberg, VA. The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) sponsored a monthly star party and a couple of the NOVA Star Party and Telescope Meets.

For 42 years I was employed as a U.S. Air Force Flight Simulator Technician, Link Aviation Simulator Field Engineer and Electronics Engineer, Eastern Airlines Flight Simulator Technician/Engineer and finally as a USNO Electronics Technician and Radio Telescope Operator, USNO Electronics Engineer.  Since the time that my wife bought me a small telescope in 1973 I bought a few small telescopes and then made a few larger ones along the way, and from many of the other projects that helped me to become an Astronomy and Science writer I decided to end my working career.

Completed Electronic Engineering Technology with Capital Radio Engineering Institute  (CREI) in 1967 and then continued with Capital Radio Engineering Institute  (CREI)/New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) majoring in Electronics Engineering, Science for Computer Control Systems and Electronic Control.   CREI  is currently the Capital University in Washington, DC.. Greaduated from Observational Astronomy, classes at the Florida International University (FIU).  Completed the Telescopic Astronomy, Coast  Navigational  School of Astronomy, a correspondence course.  Also, Protégé and understudy of the late Charles F.  Capen,  internationally recognized authority on Mars. Worked with sponsor for a Doctoral of Science Degree (equivalency Ph.D).

On May 18, 2001 the entire USNO Time Service gave me a retirement lunch and presentations including the model of the 26-inch dome and plaque. I officially retired on June 30, 2001 but took off using weeks of unused vacation time. What started me on this road in life was being at the right place at the right time.

Other Interests:   Resume_of_Judo.htm