ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
CHURMS, Joe
Professional
Astronomer
Born:1926
Died:1994
Photo Gallery: Churms
Index:
Summary:
Career:
Personal:
Joe was an absolute maticulous man in his profession. In his personal life he was a compulsive gatherer. His house had rooms full of books, newspapers etc. They were mostly shelved in propper shelves but in most cases "things" were stacked upon each other to the ceiling, eg. his office. [Private Communication with Greg Roberts, Cliff Turk and Pat Booth: CdC]
Joe bought an old organ from one of Cape Town's old movie houses. This organ was installed in his office, with holes punched into the walls to accomodate the bellows. Some evenings when other astronomers were observing the sound of Joe playing the organ could be heard (when it was in working order) [Personal Communication with Greg Roberts]
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources.
Bibliography:
Smits, P., A Brief History of Astronomy in Southern Africa. (Unpublished)
Obituary: MNASSA, Vol. 54, Nos. 7 & 8, 1995, August.
Oral Sources: Chris de Coning in conversations with various persons.
By Astronomer:
Archival:
Related
External Links:
Early Days at SAAO
(Article on the web)
Third Speckle
Catalogue
Fourth Interferometric
Catalogue :
Link to Objects Lost and / or Found.
Link to a short History of Astronomy in Southern Africa.
Link to a Time Line to see how Events on this page relates to the bigger time dimension.
Link to view the Achievements and other Interesting Aspects of Southern African Astronomers.
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources and the Archive.
Director Historical Section: Chris de Coning - siriusa@absamail.co.za
Webmaster: Christian Hettlage - webmaster@assa.saao.ac.za