In Memory of A Sunspot Watcher

Rest in Peace, Daddy

My father, John H. Collins, Sr., died recently after a lifetime of raising a family, serving his country, working hard, and being a stargazer. In particular, he loved to watch for sunspots. He counted them, he sketched them, and through his observations, tracked the cycles by which the Sun’s activity occur. For 12 years he made nearly daily sunspot sketches, and on a visit to the American Association of Variable Star Observers office in Cambridge, MA, he met with the late Dr. Janet Mattei and told her of his sketches. She immediately asked him to send them along to share as data points, since our Sun IS a variable star. I think he was amazed that they would want his work.

Daddy’s story doesn’t end with his passing. He instilled a love of stars in me, and I’ve carried that into my books, scripts, and this blog. So, in a sense, when you read my words, they’re for all of you to enjoy — thanks to my Dad’s love of the stars and his enthusiastic support of my explorations.

Thanks Daddy!

Now, I hope you’re out there somewhere, enjoying the cosmos!

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