 | DUSTIN DICKENS - Dustin is the director of the Colorado Center for Meteoritic Studies, and an active meteorite and planetary science researcher. Dustin is the owner of Top Meteorite, and a founding board member and current treasurer pro tem of the Global Meteorite Association. Dustin serves on the 2024-2026 Meteoritical Society’s Outreach Committee and is the author of several popular and reviewed articles related to meteorites and planetary science. He loves exploring his environment and sharing it with others. He is well versed in meteorites, geochemistry and igneous petrology, but a total astronomy newbie with no skills to speak of. Fair warning! Dustin will be presenting "Mercury: how did it form, what is it made of, and could we have meteorites on Earth that come from the closest planet to the Sun?" |
 | BRUCE BOOKOUT - Bruce Bookout is a Program Manager with Peraton Inc, where he manages the Acusil Thermal Protection System program and is a life-time member of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (CSASTRO). As a CSASTRO member, he has served in numerous roles in the club, including Vice-President, RMSS Director (for 7 years), Deputy Outreach Coordinator and is currently both the Co-Lead for the Long Range Planning Committee and the Astronomical League Coordinator (ALCOR). Bruce is an Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at Pikes Peak State College where he developed their course in Archeoastronomy, besides teaching Planetary and Stellar Astronomy. He is the only CSASTRO member to be awarded the Astronomical League Master Observer's Award (so far). Bruce has a MS in Space Systems Operation from Webster University and previously served in the US Air Force as a Space Operations officer. Bruce will be presenting "Milky Way Stores" with Rick Angell. |
 | RICK ANGELL - Rick started out as a cowboy, in New Mexico and Colorado. Mercury, Gemini and Apollo were important influences on his adolescence. He came of age the year we landed on the Moon. In high school, Rick fell in love with the Constitution and decided to make his way as a lawyer. His wife, Rev. Debra Angell, their three children and Rick built a loving, active family. They built a successful law practice. As both grew, he found friends who led him back under those spangled, black, velvet skies he first saw as a cowboy. Rick’s current interests in astronomy focus on showing others what fascinates him in the night sky and sketching what he sees in his eyepiece. As Rick says: “I am an old man now. My soul is, yet, stirred by those skies that enchanted me, as a boy.” Profile photo by Bob Vixie. RIck will be presenting “Milky Way Stories” with Bruce Bookout. |
 | TOM ZEPF - Tom Zepf is an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer. His earliest experience with astronomy was a science fair project tracking the constellation Orion across the suburban San Diego sky. More recently, Tom was bitten by the astronomy bug while walking the dog and observing the planets Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus all shining in glory on the ecliptic the summer of 2018. His enthusiastic wife agreed to buying a telescope and it’s been an obsession ever since. When the skies are clear, Tom images the heavens from his home in northern Colorado Springs and a cabin by 11 Mile reservoir. Tom will be presenting “Build an All Sky Camera”. Design and construction of an all sky camera and configuration of the associated software will be covered. |
 | DON PARKES – Don’s journey down the astronomy rabbit hole began about 15 years ago when his wonderful wife bought him a 90mm Mak for Christmas and he successfully star-hopped to find M42 through the trees in his backyard. By the end of the following year there were multiple OTAs, mounts, cameras, computers and software. And USB cables. Many USB cables. Don is a self-taught hobbyist astrophotographer who struggles to find time between work and family to get enough time under the night sky. He has recently embraced electronically assisted astronomy for those nights when there simply isn’t enough time to capture photons suitable for imaging. When he’s not messing about with his astro gear Don can be found coaching ice hockey, river rafting, fly fishing or otherwise trying to get off-the-grid where dark skies prevail. Don and his daughter Katie have been attending RMSS for 10 years while his son Jackson is making his 3rd trip to Starry Meadows! Don will be presenting “Getting started with electronically assisted astronomy (EAA)” |
 | BARRY "BEAR" & CAROL YOUNG - Barry and Carol have been members of CSASTRO for 6 years. Carol supports the young people at RMSS, while Barry teaches novice astrophotography. They have both been interested in Astronomy for many decades and enjoy sharing its wonders with others.Their most recent adventure took them to Alaska in February 2023 and they are sharing their experiences and original video at this year's RMSS. Barry & Carol will be presenting "Exploring the Alaskan Aurora in Winter". |
 | DANIEL CHAMPION - Beginning with film and DSLR astrophotography in the late-90's/early-2000's, Daniel has been involved in astrophotography for approximately 25 years. Daniel combines astrophotography interests with his years of professional experience in scientific imaging/measurement and applied mathematics. Most of Daniel's astrophotography is performed within the Bortle 9 skies of Las Vegas or at darker sites nearby at Lake Meade or in the Mojave desert. Daniel will be presenting "Near Real-time Computational Astrophotography". |
 | EMMELINE HUSTON – Emmeline is ten years old, in 4th grade, a 2022-2023 Battle of the Books Champion, and a Jupiter fan. Three years ago, Emmeline did a school project on the food chain, learning about predators, prey, solar energy, etc. When she learned about hydrothermal vents, she was fascinated by the different life-sustaining energy sources. Two years ago, Emmeline drew a picture of Jupiter, prompting the gift of a science book about Jupiter. Emmeline decided to redraw a larger version with labels identifying bands and moons. When she read that up to 3 of the Galilean moons may also have hydrothermal vents, she became a fan of the Jovian system. Emmeline will be presenting during the Jim West Memorial Youth Presentation. |