Bill Ward

Long time meteor observer interested in applying the latest technology to develop new observing capabilities. Captivated by meteors after I first observed the Geminids in 1980. Have dabbled in most things astronomical over the years. Have done quite a bit of solar observing. I find spectroscopy fascinating and have built several spectroscopes. I enjoy observing and imaging comets when they grace the sky, quite intruiging objects... and when all this astronomically sourced dust settles into our atmosphere... I've been observing NLC almost every year since 1986.

(I believe) I was the first person in the UK to use "UFO capture" meteor detection software ~2006. Firstly by scanning VHS tapes then live observations with a PC. After many postings this generated the interest that has resulted in the large number of video observers and coordinated groups we have today.  I was also the first person to use video spectroscopy to observe the evolution of the meteor head spectrum.  I have also captured the highest resolution video meteor spectrum by a UK observer (possibly even globally...).

Worked at AAO and UKSTU after BSc(Hons) graduation (early 90's). After graduating with my PhD I'm now working for  the NHS.

I continue to develop my meteor observing systems.