Terence Dickinson (born 1943) is a leading amateur astronomer and science writer who lives near the rural town of Yarker, Ontario, Canada. He is the editor of SkyNews magazine and an astronomy commentator for Discovery Channel Canada. He has written fourteen books, which are widely regarded as some of the best resources available for beginners in astronomy. Dickinson teaches part-time at St. Lawrence College and the asteroid 5272 Dickinson is named after him.
Biography
Dickinson became interested in astronomy at age 5, after seeing a bright meteor. When he was 14 he received a 60 mm telescope as a Christmas present: the first of nearly 20 telescopes he has owned. Past occupations include editor of Astronomy magazine and planetarium instructor. He became a full time science writer in 1976. In 1995 Dickinson was made a Member of the Order of Canada, which is the nation's highest civilian achievement award. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific awarded him the Klumpke-Roberts Award in 1996.
Publications
- Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
- The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
- Exploring the Night Sky
- Exploring the Sky by Day
- From the Big Bang to Planet X
- Splendors of the Universe
- Summer Stargazing
- The Universe and Beyond
- Extraterrestrials: A Field Guide for Earthlings
