[meteorite-list] RIP - Donald C. Parker, 1939-2015

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/donald-c-parker-1939-2015/

Donald C. Parker, 1939-2015
By Sean Walker 
Sky & Telescope
February 23, 2015
       
A planetary imaging pioneer passed away in Miami, Florida.

It is with a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of long-time 
planetary observer and Sky & Telescope contributor Donald C. Parker on 
the evening of February 22, 2015. Parker was a pioneer of planetary astrophotography 
and an inspiration to generations of imagers around the world.

Born in 1939, Parker was raised in Highland Park, Illinois, where he caught 
the astronomy bug at a young age. He built several telescopes during the 
1950s, including an 8-inch f/7.5 Newtonian reflector that was featured 
in the November 1957 issue of Sky & Telescope.

Donald earned a medical degree from Northwestern University and served 
as a medical officer in the United States Navy, where he conducted research 
into diving physiology.

After relocating to Florida to begin a career in anesthesiology, Donald 
resumed his fascination with observing the planets, particularly Mars. 
He became Mars Section Coordinator for the Association of Lunar and Planetary 
Observers (A.L.P.O.) in 1977. There, he became acquainted with the Lowell 
Observatory astronomer Charles F. Capen, who encouraged Don to refine 
his observing skills and introduced Don to advanced planetary photographic 
techniques. Don quickly mastered the extensive darkroom technique of stacking 
images and rose to the forefront of amateur planetary photography. In 
1988 he co-authored the book "Introduction to Observing and Photographing 
the Solar System" with Capen and fellow amateur Thomas A. Dobbins.

He continued to be a pioneer at the forefront of planetary observing and 
imaging techniques, and played a role in developing many of the methods 
used in digital planetary imaging today, as well as being credited with 
the discovery of features on Mars and Jupiter. Many of his 20,000+ images 
of the planets have supported professional researchers at NASA, JPL, and 
other institutions.

[Photo]
Don Parker (4th from right, front row) surrounded by family and friends 
at the Winter Star Party on February 18, 2015. Photo courtesy of Manuel 
R. Padron.

Parker co-authored scores of papers in scientific journals, popular magazines, 
and news sites worldwide, including a paper in Nature published only weeks 
ago. In 1994, the International Astronomical Union named asteroid 5392 
Parker in his honor for his contributions to solar system science. A frequent 
speaker at amateur conventions, he delighted audiences with his colorful 
and often self-deprecating humor.

As an astrophotographer myself, I had the honor of befriending Parker 
more than a decade ago. We traded imaging techniques and discussed the 
latest developments in camera technology and software. Parker was my inspiration 
to begin imaging the planets after seeing his series of images recording 
the impact scars of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in the cloud tops of Jupiter 
in 1994. He was never guarded about his techniques and gladly shared them 
with anyone who was interested. He maintained his razor-sharp intelligence, 
wit, and an unfailingly kind disposition to the end. It's difficult to 
convey in words just how funny and entertaining Don was. I'm certainly 
going to miss our frequent conversations about the latest discoveries 
in the solar system, which often focused on how amateurs contributed to 
them.