About the Sky Guy
The SKYGUY is John S. Gianforte, an Astronomer, Director of the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Observatory, and Astronomy Instructor at UNH. He is also a Science Writer, and Adjunct Faculty member at Granite State College, in New Hampshire. By day, John teaches the Introduction to Modern Astronomy and Experimental Physics courses at UNH. John has a MSc in Astronomy and a B.E.E.T. and spent 30 + years as a Project Manager and Director, R & D in industry, but he has had a deep interest in astronomy, physics, chemistry and space exploration for many years. He began teaching astronomy courses in 1983 in various continuing education programs in New Hampshire, Maine, and then in Texas, where he and his family relocated to in 1987. By night John studies bright, transiting exoplanet systems from his Blue Sky Observatory at his home in Durham, as well as at the UNH Observatory, where his students have recently taken up observing the transits of planets orbiting other stars. He is also interested in the night sky and takes images of various astronomical objects to share with his students, friends, and colleagues.
John moved back to New England from Texas in 1997 and designed and built the Blue Sky Observatory (BSO) a few hundred feet behind his home. From the BSO John has conducted observations and research on Cataclysmic Variable (CVs) stars and transiting exoplanets. Other areas John is interested in are imaging the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and comets. The images that are taken at BSO are used in John articles and in the college courses he teaches. John has written extensively for newspapers and magazines since the mid-1980s and has had articles and images published in Astronomy magazine, Denton Today magazine, Stardate magazine, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Foster Daily Democrat, Southlake Journal, University Today, and Spaceweather.com. John has been teaching astronomy and astronomy-related courses at the college level since 2002. Since then he has taught more than 75 astronomy-related courses at all levels.
Course that John Teach
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- An Introduction to Modern Astronomy (Physics 405 & 406)
- Experimental Physics (Physics 705 & 805)
- Independent Study (exoplanets Physics 795)
- An Introduction To Astronomy (SCI 512)
- Observational; Astronomy (SCI 511)
- The Night Sky: Astronomy and the Ancients (SCI 544)
- Exploring Mars SCI 544
- Scientific Search for Extraterrestrial Life (SCI 544)
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If you are interested in more information about Astronomy courses offered at the University of New Hampshire or at Granite State College, feel free to contact John. He is happy to answer any questions you may have. john.gianforte@unh.edu
In addition to John’s writing, teaching and research activities, he frequently contributes to various astronomy and science outreach efforts. He is a frequent contributor and guest on New Hampshire Public Radio’s Exchange live radio program. John also contributes to and helps with New Hampshire Public Televisions (NHPTV) NH Skies, a short piece that airs occasionally as a part of NHPTVs NH Outlook, a regular news program that informs New Hampshire residents of current events that affect them. John has conducted astronomy programs, observing sessions and lectures for the Rey Center, the Christa Mc Aulifee Planetarium in Concord, New Hampshire, as well as for many schools and civic organizations.
Blue Sky Observatory