Passing of Barbara Wilson | Deep South Star Gaze

Len Philpot
Administrator

Not-so-Grand Poobah

Retired at last...

Posts: 166

Astronomer since: 1987
Favorite types of observing: Deep Sky
Telescope(s): 12" f/5 DobSTUFF, 6" f/6 GSO GS530, Yuzhong Aquila 80600
Club Affiliation: Pontchartrain Astronomy Society
Other favorite star parties: Texas Star Party
Location: Deep in the land of humidity, too far from dark skies
Other hobbies & interests: Landscape photography, computers

Passing of Barbara Wilson Sept 25, 2019 21:26:11 GMT -6

Post by Len Philpot on Sept 25, 2019 21:26:11 GMT -6

She never attended Deep South (as far as I know) but several of us knew Barbara and many more know of her. Her passing was announced on the Texas Star Party Facebook group earlier today. I don't see a way to share the announcement message directly from the group, but here's the text:

It is with profound sadness to report that long time TSP attendee, Houston Astronomical Society and Ft. Bend Astronomy Club member, and accomplished observer Barbara Wilson passed away on September 24, 2019 after a brief illness. TSP extends its deepest condolences to the Wilson family. Barbara's skill and knowledge brought a professional level of expertise to the star party experience. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

No further information was given on Facebook but there are a couple of threads on CN:

www.cloudynights.com/topic/677840-sad-news-barbara-wilson-passes-away/
www.cloudynights.com/topic/677841-barbara-wilson/

Last Edit: Sept 25, 2019 21:29:21 GMT -6 by Len Philpot

Len Philpot
Email: lphilpot01@gmail.com

bsimon615
Owner

Posts: 550

Passing of Barbara Wilson Oct 5, 2019 8:08:25 GMT -6

Post by bsimon615 on Oct 5, 2019 8:08:25 GMT -6

While she did not attend the Deep South, she and a contingent of Houston Astronomical Society members did make it over to the PAS observing site in November 2001 for the Leonid Meteor Shower. The Leonids were more correctly a meteor storm in 2001 as they exhibit a 33 year cycle. In 2001 at peak there were counts of over 1200 meteors per hour including at what was then known as LPMOS. (The name SPMOS came in 2011 after the death of Mike Sandras.)

On CloudyNights in the Other/Off Topic forums there is a Barbara Wilson thread which mentions the trip to Louisiana for the Leonid Meteor Shower. The Houston group was trying to get out from under cloudy skies in east Texas.

Len Philpot
Administrator

Not-so-Grand Poobah

Retired at last...

Posts: 166

Astronomer since: 1987
Favorite types of observing: Deep Sky
Telescope(s): 12" f/5 DobSTUFF, 6" f/6 GSO GS530, Yuzhong Aquila 80600
Club Affiliation: Pontchartrain Astronomy Society
Other favorite star parties: Texas Star Party
Location: Deep in the land of humidity, too far from dark skies
Other hobbies & interests: Landscape photography, computers

Passing of Barbara Wilson Oct 5, 2019 8:41:44 GMT -6

Post by Len Philpot on Oct 5, 2019 8:41:44 GMT -6

Later information from her husband Buster indicated Barbara had widespread but previously undetected cancer. It was discovered during a medical exam some time after this year's Texas Star Party.

Len Philpot
Email: lphilpot01@gmail.com