Statesville, NC USA
John O’Neal, NC Stargazer has been an avid amateur astronomer and astrophotographer for over 45 years. He is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and a member of and contributor to the ALPO and AAVSO and several Amateur Astronomy Associations around his home in Statesville, NC.
He is also Co-Founder of the facebook group, SOLARACTIVITY which boasts a 24,000 strong membership worldwide. John & the group promote solar astronomy and outreach events on a worldwide scale.
He has authored numerous tutorials on solar imaging as well as equipment reviews and has recently been named as a Contributing Editor of Amateur Astronomy Magazine and his article, THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE OF THE PARKER SOLAR PROBE can be found in Issue 102.
He has authored numerous tutorials on solar imaging as well as equipment reviews and has recently been named as a Contributing Editor of Amateur Astronomy Magazine and his article, THE PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE OF THE PARKER SOLAR PROBE can be found in Issue 102.
Outreach
Since retiring, John and his lovely wife, Dorothy have taken to traveling and he has given countless presentations to the general public and to amateur and pro astronomers across the US. Most recently he has presented lectures at the Terrestrial Earth Sciences Seminar in Indiana, at SOLARFEST 2016 & 2018, in Missouri, at The Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers, or BOBFEST in 2017, 2018 and 2019 in NC, at The North East Astro Imaging Conference or NEAIC, in 2017-18 in NY, at The Okie-Tex Star Party in 2018, the Peach State Star Gaze in 2019 and at the Charlotte Amateur Astronomy Club & Greensboro Astronomy Clubs in North Carolina in 2019..
His most recent solar large star party contributions were at The Astronomy on the National Mall event in Washington DC which drew over 10,000 guests, at the SOLARACTIVITY Solar Star Party and Eclipse Presentation in Smiths Ferry, Idaho with over 4,000 participants in attendance.
Awards & Recognition
Since retiring, John and his lovely wife, Dorothy have taken to traveling and he has given countless presentations to the general public and to amateur and pro astronomers across the US. Most recently he has presented lectures at the Terrestrial Earth Sciences Seminar in Indiana, at SOLARFEST 2016 & 2018, in Missouri, at The Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers, or BOBFEST in 2017, 2018 and 2019 in NC, at The North East Astro Imaging Conference or NEAIC, in 2017-18 in NY, at The Okie-Tex Star Party in 2018, the Peach State Star Gaze in 2019 and at the Charlotte Amateur Astronomy Club & Greensboro Astronomy Clubs in North Carolina in 2019..
His most recent solar large star party contributions were at The Astronomy on the National Mall event in Washington DC which drew over 10,000 guests, at the SOLARACTIVITY Solar Star Party and Eclipse Presentation in Smiths Ferry, Idaho with over 4,000 participants in attendance.
Awards & Recognition
- Amateur Astronomy Picture of the Day Award Recipient
- SOLARACTIVITY Picture of the Day Award Recipient
- 2019 Tri-Star Astrophotography Contest First Place
- NSN Outreach Award Recipient
- Contributing Editor, Amateur Astronomy Magazine
- Peach State Star Gaze
- Speaker & Solar Outreach, The Regional Gathering of Amateur Astronomers
- Speaker. Ashland Astronomy Club
- Speaker, Aurora Summit
Links
