Ian Ridpath - Homepage

I have been interested in astronomy since childhood, and have been a full-time writer and broadcaster on the subject since 1972.

My handbooks for observing the sky include the Collins Stars and Planets Guide (known in the US as the Princeton Field Guide to Stars and Planets), Collins Gem Stars, and The Monthly Sky Guide (all illustrated by Wil Tirion). These are all reprinted and updated regularly. The Times Universe is a collection of some of my favourite space imagery, with explanatory text. Star Tales is a book on constellation mythology which, along with antique star atlases, is a particular interest of mine.

I am also the editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and Norton’s Star Atlas. Norton’s, first published in 1910, is now in its 20th edition; it is the longest-established star atlas in the world, and reputedly the best-known. I have edited the last three editions (1989, 1998 and 2003). The Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy was first published in 1997; its most recent edition appeared in 2007. For more about these and other titles, see my Book Support pages.

My star show Planet Earth ran at the London Planetarium for two years, from 1993 February to 1995 January. It was the last show to use the original Zeiss optical projector, which was subsequently replaced by a computerized Digistar.

I collect astronomy-related stamps, both for interest and for illustrative purposes. You are welcome to browse my collection of all such issues from the British Isles. I am also a collector of antique star atlases.

I have investigated a number of UFO cases that have attracted my interest, most notably the celebrated Rendlesham Forest UFO case of 1980, sometimes known as the “British Roswell”. I produced the first full explanation of all the major aspects of this case. As an amateur astronomer, my main interest has been the way in which astronomical phenomena can give rise to UFO reports. I have written a general article about astronomical causes of UFOs.

Click here for a fuller CV.

Contact Ian Ridpath: ian @ ianridpath.com

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