Expert Details
Calculation of Celestial Events and Issues of Natural Lighting
ID: 722266
Maryland, USA
Expert can perform the necessary calculations to determine the times of sunrise and sunset, and sun position (altitude and azimuth). He can also perform the calculations necessary to determine the times of the various twilights (civil twilight, nautical twilight, and astronomical twilight), including clear explanations of the natural light available during twilight periods.
Expert can calculate the quantity of natural light for any location or time. Natural light is the direct or refracted light of the sun as observed from the Earth's surface. Expert notes that the period that refracted light is observed is known as twilight.
Expert is an expert in the calculation of the times of twilight and presents vivid descriptions of the periods of twilight and the natural light present. Expert notes that twilight is the period when the sun is just below the visible horizon up to 18 degrees below the horizon. "Astronomical twilight" is the least known and has little interest outside the scientific and military communities. "Nautical twilight", as can be seen by its name, is of interest to marine navigators at the time of making observations of stars to determine the ship's location. "Civil twilight" is the best known twilight period and has many applications.
Expert can calculate the position of the sun or moon for any location on the Earth for a specific date/time. Azimuth (and altitude) are terms used to describe the location or position of a celestial body in the sky based upon the observer's location and the date/time. Azimuth is expressed in terms of true compass direction from the observer.
He provided specific natural lighting conditions (civil twilight) for a given location in support of a civil litigation matter.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1992 | Degree: B.S. | Subject: General Studies | Institution: University of New York |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2001 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Expert calculates the position, rise, or set times of the sun and moon, the times of twilight, and addresses natural lighting conditions for litigation, research, investigations, insurance claims adjustors, special event organizers and film production companies. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1971 to 2001 | Employer: U.S. Navy | Title: Chief Petty Officer | Department: |
Responsibilities:At the time of his retirement from active Naval Service, Expert held the highest rank of Chief Quartermaster E-7 (Marine Celestial Navigation Specialist). |
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Career Accomplishments
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Expert was Command Chief at the U.S. Naval Observatory. |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| He was the U.S. Navy speaker at the Nautical Almanac Office Sesquicentennial Symposium. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
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| Expert provided certified statements of astronomical data to the State of Missouri Public Defender's Offices in two capital murder matters. Neither issue has been tried at the time of this writing. In one of the cases, Expert provided specific information concerning the phase of the moon and its altitude and azimuth at a given time to prove or disprove an identification issue in the pre-trial deposition of a material witness. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| He developed a 15-minute presentation concerning the issues of sun and moon rise and set, and issues concerning civil twilight as they affect matters of civil or criminal law. |