Adam David Block (born 1973) is an American astrophotographer,

astronomy Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and their overall evolution. Objects of interest includ ...

researcher, writer and instructor.

Biography

Block grew up in Rhode Island and Georgia, moving west in 1991 to attend the

University of Arizona The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it ...

. In 1996, he earned his B.S. degree in

Astronomy Astronomy is a natural science that studies celestial objects and the phenomena that occur in the cosmos. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and their overall evolution. Objects of interest includ ...

and

Physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

. After graduation, he was employed by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory for its public outreach program on Kitt Peak, which he did for nine years. In 2007 he founded the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter for the University of Arizona, which offers public stargazing programs as well as specialized programs in astrophotography. From 2016 on, he has continued work at

Steward Observatory Steward Observatory is the research arm of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Arizona (UArizona). Its offices are located on the UArizona campus in Tucson, Arizona (US). Established in 1916, the first telescope and building were ...

, the research arm of the Department of Astronomy at the

. Much of his current work concerns characterizing the night sky and

space domain awareness Space domain awareness is the study and monitoring of satellites orbiting the Earth. It involves the detection, tracking, cataloging and identification of artificial objects, i.e. active/inactive satellites, spent rocket bodies, or Space debris, ...

Astrophotographer

From the age of 13, Block has been an avid astrophotographer. His images and techniques have been featured in

Astronomy Magazine ''Astronomy'' is a monthly American magazine about astronomy. Targeting amateur astronomers, it contains columns on sky viewing, reader-submitted astrophotographs, and articles on astronomy and astrophysics for general readers. History ''A ...

Sky & Telescope ''Sky & Telescope'' (''S&T'') is a monthly magazine covering all aspects of amateur and professional astronomy, including what to see in the sky tonight and new findings in astronomy. Other topics covered include: *observing guides for planets, ...

National Geographic ''National Geographic'' (formerly ''The National Geographic Magazine'', sometimes branded as ''Nat Geo'') is an American monthly magazine published by National Geographic Partners. The magazine was founded in 1888 as a scholarly journal, nine ...

Scientific American ''Scientific American'', informally abbreviated ''SciAm'' or sometimes ''SA'', is an American popular science magazine. Many scientists, including Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla, have contributed articles to it, with more than 150 Nobel Pri ...

and L'Astronomie. Many have been used by space-based observatories as references for ground-based broadband images of objects. NASA has used Block's images over 100 times as Astronomy Picture of the Day. Block describes himself as a popularizer of astronomy through public outreach, but that "... astrophotography has much greater reach since the images I create can be seen by people around the world.” At the 2012 Advanced Imaging Conference, he received the annual Hubble Award for special contributions to the field of astroimaging. The

Minor Planet Center The Minor Planet Center (MPC) is the official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Founded in 1947, it operates at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Funct ...

credits Block with the discovery of asteroid 45298 Williamon, made on January 5, 2000. He also has an asteroid named for him, 172525 Adamblock. Block also discovered stellar tidal star streams associated with NGC 3614 in February 2015. Block offers instruction in astrophotography and techniques of image processing, both through magazine articles and personally through his online studios.

Gallery

Images by Adam Block, Mount Lemmon SkyCenter. File:M8 32in Block.jpg, Lagoon Nebula, 32-inch Schulman Telescope File:IC 2118 regions Block.jpg, Nebula IC 2118 and Witchhead Region near Rigel, Pomenis Astrograph File:NGC 1398 Block.jpg, Galaxy NGC 1398, 32-inch Schulman Telescope File:Orion starry winter scene Block.jpg, Orion starry winter scene, Canon EF 24mm-105mm Zoom lens

References

External links

Adam Block Photos

Adam Block Studios - Instruction in Astrophotography

Astrophotographer: Adam Block (YouTube video)

Mount Lemmon SkyCenter

NOIRLab
{{DEFAULTSORT:Block, Adam 1973 births Living people 21st-century American astronomers Astrophotographers University of Arizona alumni