. Please join us for a special presentation “March Madness: A Photographic Messier Marathon” by Johnathan Ward.

Jonathan Ward is the author of four critically-acclaimed books on American space history. Most recently, he collaborated with astronaut Eileen Collins on her autobiography, “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission.” His book, “Bringing Columbia Home,” is considered the definitive account of the aftermath of the 2003 Columbia accident. 

Jonathan is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and a Resident Astronomer with Viking Ocean Cruises. He spends about four months at sea each year as a cruise ship lecturer on astronomy and space exploration. 

Jonathan is an avid astrophotographer. He is insatiably curious, and he enjoys experimenting and pushing the limits. On the night of March 26/27, 2019, he attempted to image all 110 Messier objects in one session. Tonight he’ll tell us how he planned and prepared for the event, and how he managed the process once it got underway.