Astrometry

This interview is a focused exploratory interview covering William Van Altena's brief career history as a student at the University of California, Berkeley and Lick Observatory; interests in astrometry and work for van den Bos and Vasilevskis; work at Yerkes Observatory; state of astrometry and role of automation; discussion of names prominent in community; LST program; funding; tenure.

Interview covers early education in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. and early interests in astronomy and science; early contact with H. Luyten (1940); graduate school at the University of Michigan and continuation of graduate work at Case; Jason Nassau and galactic structure; research positions at Swarthmore and the Naval Observatory; move to Wesleyan, 1966; teaching and astrometric research; the FAR: Fund for Astrophysical Research; the restoration of Clark telescopes; influential astronomers: W. Luyten, P.van de Kamp, K.A. Strand, S. McCuskey, Bart Bok; professional conditions at Wesleyan.