About James Dire
I spent my early years near Los Angeles where I have no memories of ever seeing stars. This was probably due to the LA light pollution and air pollution. At the age of 9, my family moved to northwest Missouri. On clear nights there the skies were amazing. After starting a paper route at age 12, one of my first purchases was a 60 mm refractor. The telescope, like a lot of those sold today in department and discount stores, had terrible optics and a flimsy mount. But I was able to get good views of lunar craters, follow the moons of Jupiter, and see Saturn's rings. I was hooked.
In high school, I hung out at the Missouri Western State College planetarium, then run by Russell Maag. Russell gave me lots of advice on how to pursue a career in astronomy.
I attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where I spent many nights at the campus observatory, on the roof of what is now Royal Hall, observing with Stan Warkoczewski. I also joined the Astronomical Society of Kansas City, eventually serving as their president my last year in college. I can honestly say, I learned more practical astronomy as a member of this amateur club than in any of my undergraduate classes!
After leaving KC (with a B.S. in chemistry and a B.S. in physics and mathematics), I continued to observe with local astronomy clubs. These include: the Central Florida Astronomical Society (Orlando), the Baltimore Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society of New Haven, The Thames Amateur Astronomical Society (New London, CT), and the Cleveland County Astronomical Society, NC (Don B., Steve D., Brett C., Roger I., David H.,Stuart M., Don O., Judy H. and me). The CCAS is one of the smallest astronomy clubs in the world, yet one of the most active clubs I have ever been affiliated with.
I earned a M.S. in physics from the University of Central Florida and a M.A. and Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University, both in planetary science. My dissertation was on the atmosphere of Titan (Saturn's largest moon). For most of my career I have been a professor of physics and astronomy. I am presently a Vice Chancellor for Academic Affaris in the University of Hawaii system.
