San Diego astronomers Laura Layton and Robert Killian strive to improve astronomy education through hands-on observational astronomy workshops, and to disseminate physical science knowledge to the public through astronomy activities.
Laura holds a Master of Science degree in physics education from Northern Illinois University (NIU). She also completed one year of graduate astronomy work at San Diego State University (SDSU). Astronomy education, curriculum development and community outreach are the focus of her scientific efforts.
In addition to teaching introductory astronomy (PHYS-162) at NIU and introductory astronomy laboratory (ASTR-109) at SDSU, she has held the positions of observatory manager at Davis Hall Observatory in DeKalb, Illinois, and been on staff at Karl G. Henize Observatory in Palatine, Illinois, and at Mt. Laguna Observatory in Mt. Laguna, California.
Robert is a telescope maker and master craftsman. At the request of the Northern Illinois University Astronomical Society (NIUAS), Robert rebuilt their old Nishimura 16-inch mirror into a portable Dobsonian-style telescope for the club to use for their public events.
He has also participated in several telescope upgrade projects, including the 2001 telescope upgrade project at Davis Hall Observatory in DeKalb, Illinois, and the 2002 telescope upgrade project at Palatine College in Palatine, Illinois. Both projects involved replacing old, manual telescopes with new Celestron C-14 Schmidt-Cassegrain go-to telescopes.