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Dr. Steve B. HowellHead, Astrophysics Group, Planetary Science Institutehowell@psi.edu |
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Dr. Steve B. HowellHead, Astrophysics Group, Planetary Science Institutehowell@psi.edu |
Dr. Howell obtained his PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Amsterdam
and currently is a senior scientist and head of the
Astrophysics Group at PSI. He conducts research on a variety of
topics in the field of astrophysics. He leads a number of
observational research projects including multi-wavelength
spectroscopy of cataclysmic variables covering the x-ray to the infrared
regions. Howell is also the US PI on the Faint Sky Variability Survey, a
large area, deep temporal survey being conducted over the next four years
with the Issac Newton Group of telescopes located on the Canary
Islands. Supporting his observational projects, Howell also leads a
theoretical effort aimed at producing models for the evolution of
interacting binaries and low mass stars.
A photometric search for extra-solar planets is ongoing under Howell's
leadership, and he will soon move this effort to PSI's newly acquired
40\% share of a robotic 1.3-m telescope.
Dr. Howell has recently written a book on imaging devices used in astronomy,
has edited two previous books on interacting binaries, regularly serves on
review panels for NASA and NSF, and reviews scientific papers prior to publication
in a number of the worlds leading astrophysics journals.
Steve is also a Blues Musician and Digital Artist.
Steve plays harmonica (harp for those in the know), guitar, and slide guitar. On cloudy nights he can usually be found in one of Tucsons local clubs, wearing either his acoustic or electric blues hat, and laying down some hip tracks.
Musical artist friend Don Simpson and Steve create modern day artwork, combining the tools of the artist with the technology of today. The background of this WWW page is a two color mosaic of a numerical fractel created by using the Emden equation as a starting point. Two further examples are given below.
# Elephants in Time (Based on Newton's Law of Cooling)
Alien Sunset (Based on the Saha Equation)
"I Hear There Ain't No Blues In Heaven, So I Think I'll Be Goin' The Other Way!", -- from 'Ain't No Blues in Heaven', (copywrite) S. Howell 1991.
"Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." -- Albert Einstein
"On our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." -- Great Law of the Iroquois Nation
Some Flowers are Red ... Some are not
Clear skies at night, photometrists delight Cirrus clouds pass by, spectroscopists say it's alright Hazy skies and moon together, astronomers take flight --The Astronomers Lament (ancient observers proverb - circa 22 Nov 1994)
He had that rare weird electricity about him - that extremely wild and heavy presence that you only see in a person who has abandoned all hope of ever behaving normally. -- Hunter S. Thompson, "Fear and Loathing '72"
Salvador Dali's favorite breakfast was milk and surreal !!
"Science is a good piece of furniture for a man to have in an upper chamber, provided he has common sense on the ground floor." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes
