The Cowboy Astronomer Fundraiser
Donation protected
Milton Humason's story is one of the wildest and most unique stories in the history of science. A mountain man, a moonshining cowboy and mule train driver, who was equally expert with a fly reel or a hand of poker, enters into the world of astronomy at the age of thirty and becomes perhaps the greatest astronomical observer since Galileo.
All of this despite having only an eighth grade education. It's the stuff of legends and we're going to tell his story to the world, from his humble beginnings to his love affairs with Mount Wilson (where the observatory was built), with his future wife, Helen, who he met on the mountain, and with the stars, the study of which he helped push forward into the 21st century.
Through all of this Humason remained a humble and dedicated researcher and colleague and, in his later years, helped to develop much of the talent that would continue the work he and his fellow astronomers at Mount Wilson had pursued through 1950.
His legacy lay in his legendary feats of observing skill, groundbreaking discovery and a spirit of goodwill and comaraderie that made him one of the most liked and sought after collaborators in his field. Long after his death in the summer of 1972, Humason enjoys a cult-like status amongst readers of science history and, some within the astronomy community are even advancing the idea of a Humason Scholarship to promote young talent in the field of Cosmology.
Following the course set out in Ron Voller's biography, The Muleskinner and the Stars: The Life and Times of Milton La Salle Humason, Astronomer, filmmaker David McIntyre seeks to capture the essence of the man whose extraordinary skill, perseverance and professional courtesy have captured the imaginations of scientists, musicians, artists and others from all walks of life.
Your contribution to this effort will place you in that community of Humason devotees and we thank you!
Promo film link:
Password is: milt
All of this despite having only an eighth grade education. It's the stuff of legends and we're going to tell his story to the world, from his humble beginnings to his love affairs with Mount Wilson (where the observatory was built), with his future wife, Helen, who he met on the mountain, and with the stars, the study of which he helped push forward into the 21st century.
Through all of this Humason remained a humble and dedicated researcher and colleague and, in his later years, helped to develop much of the talent that would continue the work he and his fellow astronomers at Mount Wilson had pursued through 1950.
His legacy lay in his legendary feats of observing skill, groundbreaking discovery and a spirit of goodwill and comaraderie that made him one of the most liked and sought after collaborators in his field. Long after his death in the summer of 1972, Humason enjoys a cult-like status amongst readers of science history and, some within the astronomy community are even advancing the idea of a Humason Scholarship to promote young talent in the field of Cosmology.
Following the course set out in Ron Voller's biography, The Muleskinner and the Stars: The Life and Times of Milton La Salle Humason, Astronomer, filmmaker David McIntyre seeks to capture the essence of the man whose extraordinary skill, perseverance and professional courtesy have captured the imaginations of scientists, musicians, artists and others from all walks of life.
Your contribution to this effort will place you in that community of Humason devotees and we thank you!
Promo film link:
Password is: milt
Organizer
Ron Voller
Organizer
New York, NY
