Carl Wenning: Celebrate Starlight

Carl Wenning has been an amateur astronomer since the summer of 1956 when his grandfather pointed out Venus in the western evening sky. He became enthralled with the night sky, and has been looking up ever since. His early interest led him to earn a B.S. in Astronomy from Ohio State in 1976 and an M.A.T. in Planetarium Eduction from Michigan State in 1978. Since that time, he has been working in the Physics Department at Illinois State where he earned his doctorate in education. He has been an active member of the Twin City Amateur Astronomers (TCAA) since 1978 and lives in Normal, IL.

Throughout his entire professional career, Carl has continued his efforts as an amateur astronomer. Today, he can be found outside on almost any clear, moonless night observing with his 11-inch CPC telescope or his 18-inch Obsession telescope. You see, Carl is an Astronomical League Master Observer. Besides visual observing, he is interested in astronomical history and writing. He recently published a 139-page book documenting the 50-year history of the TCAA, 1960-2010. He has also written a formal history for the Emerson McMillin Observatory of Columbus, Ohio, 1896-1976. He contributes regularly to the TCAA’s newsletter, The OBSERVER.

Carl brings his considerable editorial and writing skills to Celebrate Starlight. We are indeed fortunate to have his skill set at our service. Carl will collect, edit, and prepare the basic layout for Celebrate Starlight, and endeavor he hopes to continue and even expand over the coming years.