In Remembrance: Darryl Stanford
It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and mentor, Darryl Stanford. For nearly 30 years, Darryl has been a pillar at the College of San Mateo and the community at large. A kind soul who departed this world far too soon, Darryl was defined by an infectious laughter that brought joy to everyone who heard it. He was a "CSM Star" in every sense of the word—a man whose passion for the cosmos was only rivaled by his love for his puppy Orion, Harleys, and a good milkshake. Darryl’s legacy is written in the stars and across our campus. Alongside his close friends and colleagues, Mohsen Janatpour and Dean Drumheller, he was instrumental in creating programs that made the universe accessible to everyone. From the "Jazz Under the Stars" nights at the observatory to the "Project Stargaze" field trips for local students, Darryl worked tirelessly to ensure that astronomy was a gift shared with the public.
Many will remember him best through:
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The Sky Tonight: His monthly planetarium shows where he navigated the San Mateo sky for captivated audiences.
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Jazz Under the Stars: Blending celestial beauty with the sounds of KCFM Jazz radio.
- The SMCAS Speaker Series: Hosting global experts to inspire our local community.
To honor Darryl, we'll be hosting a special event "Reggae Under the Stars", his favorite genera of music, on April 25th from 8:30 - 10:30pm. We would be greatly privileged if members of the public would come and remember Darryl with us.
Justin Stevick
Astronomy Lab Coordinator
Adjunct Faculty
stevickj@smccd.edu
(650) 378-7241
Michael Gallien
Astronomy Lab Coordinator
gallienm@smccd.edu
(650) 574-6533
Overview
Astronomy is the study of our universe. It is the oldest of the sciences, and every ancient civilization has studied it. By simply looking up into the starry sky, you are doing astronomy. This makes astronomy not only a direct connection to our ancestors, but a connection to our future selves. It is in our nature, to look up at the cosmos, and wonder about our place within it. What are black holes? How many planets are in our galaxy? Is there anyone else out there? All of these questions, and more, await answers. Are you ready for the challenge?
Why Study Astronomy?
Students in astronomy will have a strong background in mathematics and physics, opening the door to countless high-paying jobs. Students that pursue careers in astronomy will work in beautiful and exotic places like Bolivia, Chile, and Hawaii. Astronomy opens the door to many sectors of work such as education, private industry, and government. Companies that actively hire astronomy majors include Boeing, NASA, and SpaceX. Giving you the ability to work on cutting edge research, and create on the frontier of human ingenuity. With the incredible ease of access and lightning fast speed, the age of the internet has made public outreach desperately needed. Public forums like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram have opened a plethora of new careers for astronomers in social media.Why CSM?
College of San Mateo has a state of the art professional observatory, a 4k Hybrid digital/optical RSA planetarium system, and faculty that places their students first. This makes it the astronomy leader in the California Community Colleges. It's one of the few campuses in the state where undergraduate students get real, hands on experience with professional grade telescopes. At CSM you’ll not only learn how to operate telescopes, but reduce and analyze data, you take yourself. Here we create an environment that promotes learning though clubs, public events, and student driven research. Our faculty and staff strive to create student success, because here, our students are the driving force behind everything we do. Take an astronomy course today!
Comet Iwamoto / Crescent Moon 3-12-13 - CSM Observatory
