David Healy (astronomer)


see

David B. Healy was an American astrophotographer and asteroid discoverer who is known for his contributions to Burnham's Celestial Handbook.

History

David B. Healy was born 1936 in Los Angeles, California. He was an automotive industry analyst for Drexel Burnham in New York and later a stock broker before retiring to Arizona. He dedicated his life to Astronomy and the discovery of planets. While in New York, he was a longtime member of the Astronomical Society of Long Island. Once in Sierra Vista, Arizona, he became a valued member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club.
He was well known for his pioneering work in astrophotography with multiple contributions to leading astronomy publications. Healy established the Junk Bond Observatory in Arizona for visual work and recoveries of minor planets.
On September 4, 1999 a main-belt asteroid was discovered by Myke Collins and M. White at Anza. It was called 66479 Healy after the founder of the JBO. Healy was also an original contributor to Burnham's Celestial Handbook. The JBO established by Healy operates a 32-inch Ritchey Chretien reflector chiefly for minor planet astrometry and is credited with over 500 discoveries. After his chief co-discoverer Jeffrey Medkeff died in 2008, Dave decided to participate in the search for exo-planets. His telescope is still being used in the search for these planetary systems.
He was a Contributing Editor of Astronomy Magazine. Bloomberg Press reviewed Healy's transition from investment analyst to amateur astronomer in the following article.

List of discovered minor planets

15512 Snyder18 October 1999 
37163 Huachucaclub19 November 2000 
38203 Sanner19 June 1999 
40328 Dow20 June 1999
46053 Davidpatterson21 February 2001
48070 Zizza19 March 2001
54693 Garymyers19 March 2001
63305 Bobkepple17 March 2001
68218 Nealgalt12 February 2001
72633 Randygroth22 March 2001
99070 Strittmatter22 March 2001
107638 Wendyfreedman15 March 2001
115326 Wehinger29 September 2003
115331 Shrylmiles29 September 2003
115801 Punahou23 October 2003
117381 Lindaweiland18 December 2004
118945 Rikhill29 November 2000
123818 Helenzier31 January 2001
124075 Ketelsen15 April 2001
131245 Bakich16 March 2001
133528 Ceragioli4 October 2003
133753 Teresamullen21 November 2003
27 June 2005
146268 Jennipolakis16 February 2001
11 September 2005

29 January 2008
189930 Jeanneherbert22 September 2003
189948 Richswanson16 October 2003
196807 Beshore26 September 2003
196938 Delgordon22 October 2003
197196 Jamestaylor15 November 2003
24 November 2003
28 November 2005
20 April 2006
7 April 2006
4 September 2007
1 May 2006
29 January 2005
27 August 2005
28 August 2005
17 October 2007
3 November 2007
27 August 2005
28 November 2005
26 May 2008
27 March 2004
28 October 2005
222403 Bethchristie22 March 2001
27 August 2005
14 October 2005

12 September 2005
7 October 2005
22 October 2005
21 November 2005
26 November 2005
11 February 2008
15 November 2003
27 February 2006
27 June 2005
12 July 2005
21 November 2005
24 September 2006
22 January 2006
20 June 2004
27 September 2005
30 September 2005
22 October 2005
4 December 2005
24 September 2006
6 October 2005
20 October 2005
22 October 2005
28 October 2005
28 September 2008
5 September 2008

24 February 2008
5 March 2006
30 September 2003
13 October 2003
18 October 2003
27 June 2005
28 November 2005
25 December 2006
11 September 2005
22 October 2005
23 March 2001
21 November 2005
4 November 2007
14 November 2006
21 November 2003
12 September 2005
12 September 2005
18 October 2007
5 June 2005
11 September 2005
6 February 2008
16 October 2006
12 September 2005
29 November 2005
17 October 2007