Michael D. Reynolds
Encyclopedia
Michael D. Reynolds is the Dean of Mathematics & Sciences and Professor of Astronomy at Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida
. Reynolds is perhaps best known for his astronomy
and science education efforts, from the classroom to informal education to astronomy and space exploration
outreach.
Reynolds has 33 years in astronomy and space sciences in the gamut of a high school and university instructor, planetarium
and museum director, researcher, writer, and lecturer. He has received numerous recognitions for his work, including the 1986 Florida State Teacher of the Year, NASA
Teacher-in-Space National Finalist, and the G. Bruce Blair Medal.
Reynolds received his AA from Florida Junior College, BA in Natural Sciences from Thomas Edison State College
1980, his Masters degree in Science Education from the University of North Florida
1982, and an Ph.D. from the University of Florida
in Science Education and Astronomy 1990.
Reynolds' astronomical research has been primarily focused on Solar System
objects, as well as meteoritics
. He has led expeditions around the world for numerous total solar eclipse
s, meteorite
crater
research, and meteorite recoveries. He worked with Meade
Instruments in 2005 to develop and create Meade’s MeteoriteKit, a special set of meteorites, tektites, and impactites.
Reynolds is the current president of the Antique Telescope Society, on the Board of Directors of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
(ALPO), and chairs the Astronomical League
’s individual Outreach Awards, which he initiated for the League. Reynolds has also served as chair or co-chair for several conferences, including the highly-successful AstroCon 2004 held in Berkeley, California.
Reynolds is also a member of the American Astronomical Society
, and a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
. He is on three national non-profit boards: StarGarden Foundation, the National Sharing the Skies Foundation, and the W Foundation (for Space Exploration education). He is also on Meade 4M Community Board of Advisors.
Reynolds is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California. He served as the Science Center’s Executive Director and CEO from 1991 to 2002, where he led the effort to design, fund raise for, and overview construction of a new, 88000 square feet (8,175.5 m²) astronomy and space-oriented science center which opened in 2000 to replace the 1915-era facility.
Reynolds has written several astronomy books, including Binocular Stargazing (2003), Falling Stars (2000), and Observe Eclipses (1995). He also co-authored a college-level astronomy lab text, Basic Astronomy Labs (1996). He writes and serves as a corresponding editor for Astronomy (magazine)
. In addition to leading expeditions worldwide, Mike is also an invited speaker, engaging audiences in things astronomical, as well as doing booksignings as often requested at many of his talks.
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. Reynolds is perhaps best known for his astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and science education efforts, from the classroom to informal education to astronomy and space exploration
Space exploration
Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....
outreach.
Reynolds has 33 years in astronomy and space sciences in the gamut of a high school and university instructor, planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
and museum director, researcher, writer, and lecturer. He has received numerous recognitions for his work, including the 1986 Florida State Teacher of the Year, NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Teacher-in-Space National Finalist, and the G. Bruce Blair Medal.
Reynolds received his AA from Florida Junior College, BA in Natural Sciences from Thomas Edison State College
Thomas Edison State College
Thomas Edison State College is a public institution of higher education located in Trenton, New Jersey. One of New Jersey's 12 public universities and colleges, Thomas Edison State College offers degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level....
1980, his Masters degree in Science Education from the University of North Florida
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida is a public university located in Jacksonville, Florida. A member institution of the State University System of Florida, the university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s...
1982, and an Ph.D. from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
in Science Education and Astronomy 1990.
Reynolds' astronomical research has been primarily focused on Solar System
Solar System
The Solar System consists of the Sun and the astronomical objects gravitationally bound in orbit around it, all of which formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago. The vast majority of the system's mass is in the Sun...
objects, as well as meteoritics
Meteoritics
Meteoritics is a science that deals with meteorites and other extraterrestrial materials that further our understanding of the origin and history of the solar system. A specialist who studies meteoritics is known as a meteoriticist....
. He has led expeditions around the world for numerous total solar eclipse
Solar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
s, meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
crater
Impact crater
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with a larger body...
research, and meteorite recoveries. He worked with Meade
Meade
Meade Instruments Corporation is a multinational company headquartered in Irvine, California, that manufactures, imports, and distributes telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, CCD cameras and telescope accessories for the consumer market. It is the world's largest manufacturer of...
Instruments in 2005 to develop and create Meade’s MeteoriteKit, a special set of meteorites, tektites, and impactites.
Reynolds is the current president of the Antique Telescope Society, on the Board of Directors of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers
The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers is an international scientific and educational organization established in March, 1947 in the United States by Walter H. Haas, and later incorporated in 1990...
(ALPO), and chairs the Astronomical League
Astronomical League
The Astronomical League is an umbrella organization of amateur astronomy societies. Currently their membership consists of over 240 organizations across the United States, along with a number of Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members....
’s individual Outreach Awards, which he initiated for the League. Reynolds has also served as chair or co-chair for several conferences, including the highly-successful AstroCon 2004 held in Berkeley, California.
Reynolds is also a member of the American Astronomical Society
American Astronomical Society
The American Astronomical Society is an American society of professional astronomers and other interested individuals, headquartered in Washington, DC...
, and a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
. He is on three national non-profit boards: StarGarden Foundation, the National Sharing the Skies Foundation, and the W Foundation (for Space Exploration education). He is also on Meade 4M Community Board of Advisors.
Reynolds is the Executive Director Emeritus of the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California. He served as the Science Center’s Executive Director and CEO from 1991 to 2002, where he led the effort to design, fund raise for, and overview construction of a new, 88000 square feet (8,175.5 m²) astronomy and space-oriented science center which opened in 2000 to replace the 1915-era facility.
Reynolds has written several astronomy books, including Binocular Stargazing (2003), Falling Stars (2000), and Observe Eclipses (1995). He also co-authored a college-level astronomy lab text, Basic Astronomy Labs (1996). He writes and serves as a corresponding editor for Astronomy (magazine)
Astronomy (magazine)
Astronomy is a monthly American magazine about astronomy. Targeting amateur astronomers for its readers, it contains columns on sky viewing, reader-submitted astrophotographs, and articles on astronomy and astrophysics that are readable by nonscientists....
. In addition to leading expeditions worldwide, Mike is also an invited speaker, engaging audiences in things astronomical, as well as doing booksignings as often requested at many of his talks.