17/08/2025
For the attendance of Hermanus Astronomy Centre members (If you are not a member and wish to attend via live Zoom or in person please contact me): -
"The Planets Up Close and Personal"
An Amateur Astronomer’s Journey into Pro-Am Planetary Science Collaboration
Featuring Clyde Foster – Award-Winning Planetary Imager & NASA Juno Mission Collaborator
Event Highlights:
• Discover the inspiring journey of Clyde Foster, a retired chemical engineer who transformed his passion for astronomy into groundbreaking contributions to planetary science.
• Learn how his stunning high-resolution images of Jupiter caught the attention of NASA’s Juno mission, leading to the discovery of "Clyde’s Spot"—a storm now immortalized in scientific literature.
• Hear firsthand stories of collaboration with leading planetary scientists and fellow imagers worldwide.
• Gain insights into the thrilling world of amateur-professional (Pro-Am) partnerships and how they advance space exploration.
Why Attend?
• Be Inspired: Clyde’s story proves that passion and dedication can lead to extraordinary opportunities—even for amateur astronomers.
• Exclusive Insights: Learn how amateur observations can directly impact professional missions like NASA’s Juno.
• Engaging Stories: From backyard astronomy in South Africa to relocating under Namibia’s pristine skies, Clyde’s journey is as captivating as his discoveries.
Perfect For: Astronomy enthusiasts, aspiring scientists, educators, and anyone curious about the wonders of our solar system!
Speaker Bio: Clyde Foster
Amateur Astronomer • Planetary Imager • NASA Juno Mission Contributor
From Chemical Engineer to Planetary Science Pioneer:
Born in the UK and raised in South Africa, Clyde Foster’s childhood fascination with the Apollo missions ignited a lifelong love for astronomy. After a distinguished career in engineering, he turned his hobby into a world-class pursuit, earning international acclaim for his planetary imaging.
Key Achievements:
• Discoverer of "Clyde’s Spot": His detection of a new Jupiter storm ahead of NASA’s Juno flyby made headlines and was published in Icarus, the prestigious solar system research journal.
• NASA Collaborator: For over 8 years, his ground-based images have supported the Juno mission, bridging the gap between amateur and professional science.
• Award-Winning Imager: Recognized as one of the world’s leading planetary imagers by top scientists, including Dr. Leigh Fletcher (University of Leicester).
Today: Clyde and his wife now observe from Namibia’s legendary Gamsberg region, home to some of the darkest skies on Earth, where he continues to push the boundaries of amateur astronomy.
"Clyde sets the benchmark for amateur astronomers worldwide."
— Dr. Leigh Fletcher, Professor of Planetary Science, University of Leicester
