We are sad to announce that we have lost a long time astro-product innovator and a close friend of those of us in the magazine. We have been fortunate to work with Howie Glatter since the formation of the magazine over 10 years ago and he was always very kind with his time, gentle manner and ongoing support. Below, Gary Parkerson discusses his personal thoughts on Howie’s impact on Gary’s life. It’s with sad hearts that we move forward without Howie in our lives.
We received a note from Howie Glatter early this year, thanking us for what had been, preparing us for what was to come. There are times when suddenly confronted by some unforeseen inevitability, we realize, “Ah, this is really going to hurt,” and for the entire ATT team, what Howie’s note foretold was very much a this-will-hurt occasion.
I called Howie from a train in early April, feigning the need to ask a mundane question, when all I really wanted was to hear his voice, and for the next 30 minutes I was treated to classic ardent, devoted Howie. He didn’t dwell on illnesses or on astro tech. He talked of friends, he spoke of Pok Sun, and we ended the call agreeing to catch up more a few days later at NEAF.
As I write this, it’s been two weeks since Howie passed away, and this is my sixth attempt at writing this. One abandoned version began by chronicling Howie’s many innovations, as if you didn’t already know those even better than I. Another spoke of his longstanding support for this magazine, but Howie supported all who love astronomy and its tool, so of course he included Astronomy Technology Today.
At NEAF (Northeast Astronomy Forum and Telescope Show) in April of this year, he was still very much Howie – smiling, happy, animated, passionate and focused on others – but yes, also clearly frail. There was so much I wanted to say, but all I managed was that I am thankful he is in my life, that I love him and would see him again. It’s rare that I express love, but it’s what I felt. It’s what I feel still.
I can’t think of Howie in the past tense. Not yet. Truth is, I trust I never will. I see sincere, gentle, wise, passionate, generous Howie every day as I pedal around the country. I think of his simple note, thanking us for what had been, preparing us for what was to come. Classic Howie: He, comforting us, in advance of his passing.
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The Astronomy Technology Today editorial staff would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the availability of our Solar eclipse equipment guide – The Definitive Equipment Guide to the 2017 Solar Eclipse. Our goal with the 40 page publication is to provide an easy-to-consume introduction to the technological options for viewing and imaging the Great Solar Eclipse. We cover the gamut of options available including building your own solar viewer, solar glasses, smart phones, DSLR cameras, using astronomy telescopes, solar telescopes, using binoculars, solar filters (including a DYI filter option), CCD astro cameras, astro video cameras, webcams and much more. You can view the guide on our website here – its free and there is no requirement to sign up to read the guide.