The Mark Slade Remote Observatoryi (MSRO) StationOne in Wilderness, Virginia.
It all started when…
History
MSRO Science's predecessor, the Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) Commission, was founded in December 2015 by MSRO Science President Dr. Myron Wasiuta and Vice President Jerry Hubbell to create and maintain a remotely controlled observatory. A team of local astronomers were brought together to design, construct, and operate the observatory. The MSRO, located in Wilderness, Virginia, has been in continuous operation since its founding.
In March of 2015, Mark Slade passed away unexpectedly. Myron Wasiuta had known Mark for almost 25 years.
Mark wasn't just an amateur astronomer—he was an expert astrophotographer. His passion was taking pictures through his telescope. Carefully plying his trade, he would catch photons of light that left a distant galaxy millions of years ago!
Board of Directors & Employees
The MSRO Science, Inc., Board of Directors (BOD) is currently composed of the original group that founded the MSRO plus the person who holds the position of President of the Rappahannock Astronomy Club (RAClub). When a new President is elected to RAClub, that person assumes the designated position on the BOD. Several members of the board are also employees of MSRO Science. Current BOD members and employees are:
Dr. Myron Wasiuta
Chairman of the Board and President Dr. Myron Wasiuta is the founder of the Mark Slade Remote Observatory and the president of MSRO Science, Inc. A life-long amateur astronomer, Myron is an Optometrist by trade. He is the past president of three astronomy clubs, the Rappahannock Astronomy Club (RAClub), Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC), and the Birmingham Astronomical Society (BAS). He has taught astronomy at the University of Mary Washington, and has had observing rights at the US Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. His astronomical interests include imaging faint, obscure galaxies, and cataclysmic variable stars.
Jerry Hubbell
Vice-President Jerry Hubbell is a retired Nuclear Instrumentation & Controls and Computer Systems Engineer and is also VP Engineering for Explore Scientific, LLC. Jerry has been an amateur astronomer since his teen years and is currently active in several organizations including the ALPO, AAVSO, and leads the MSRO team on the TFOP WG SG1 exoplanet observing program. Jerry has written two books one with colleague Linda Billard published by Springer Books. Jerry is also a Springer Book Editor for the Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series. Jerry’s main astronomical interests include high-resolution lunar imaging, minor planet astrometry and photometry, and observing exoplanet transits.
Dr. Barton Billard
Dr. Bart Billard is a retired physicist and currently engaged in several astronomy related projects…
Shannon Morgan
As a child, the exploration missions of Voyager, Pioneer, and Viking captured board member, and Treasurer Shannon's imagination as few things have. The images sent to Earth inspired a passion for astronomy and natural sciences that continues to shape her life. After deciding astronomy was more her speed than astronaut, she studied physics with a concentration in astronomy at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Before ASU's Dark Sky Observatory had a warm room, she also did unintentional research with hypothermia sitting at the telescopes during the long winter nights. Shannon is now a Linux systems administrator and shares her passion for astronomy via astrophotography and can always be counted on to know when the International Space Station or an Iridium flare can be seen from her home in Durham, NC.
Lauren Lennon
Board member and MSRO Science Staff Astronomer, Lauren Lennon is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, with degrees in Physics and Astronomy, and concentrations in Math and Anthropology - in short, she loves everything about science and couldn't make up her mind! She taught for four years at the Shafran Planetarium, and for a year at the Schuele Planetarium, so she's no stranger to interesting topics and questions. Lauren has also done research with sky survey projects, and digital photography restoration work that can be seen in the National Archives. She works as an investment analyst putting all of that math and statistical analysis to use! Her favorite topics to give presentations on include S0 galaxies and galaxy formation. Most of her astronomy volunteer time is split between the MSRO and taking a portable planetarium out for public events as a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.
Linda Billard
Linda Billard…
Glenn Faini
Glenn Faini is the Rappahannock Astronomy Club (RAClub.org) President and MSRO Science, Inc. Board of Directors member representative. He has been interested in astronomy since the 3rd grade when his class took a field trip to the Hayden Planetarium during the peak of the Apollo space program. In 1998 Glenn joined the Southern Maryland Astronomical Society. Glenn moved to Virginia in 2002 and joined the Rappahannock Astronomy Club in January 2003. In 2013 Glenn completed a Duke University Astrophysics course with distinction. Glenn retired in 2018 and am honored to be serving as the current president of the RAC and one of the initial founding directors of MSRO Science, Inc.
Matt Scott
Matt is the Maintenance Engineer for the Mark Slade Remote Observatory and an employee of MSRO Science, Inc. Matt's main interest in Astronomy is related to design and fabrication of optical systems and drives. His experience as retired Mechanical Engineer and Machinist has helped the MSRO Team in the manufacture and modification of hardware used in MSRO's observatories. Matt is Treasurer of the Rappahannock Astronomy Club (RAClub.org).