Ian Howarth's Personal Page

It's cool to be hot!

I was born -- very recently -- in Portsmouth (aka `Sunny Southsea' in the brochures), and now live in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The area's other famous residents include Cilla Black and David Seaman.

My research interests span all the Group's projects, and I'm also interested in interstellar absorption-line spectroscopy and the applications of statistical techniques in astronomy. I was a `back-yard' astronomer before starting my professional career, and still follow amateur activities, especially variable-star work, with interest. I'm Secretary to the Royal Astronomical Society.

Outside the Department, I enjoy the complete suite of dweeb passtimes: listening to The Archers, birdwatching, politely refusing alcoholic beverages... Unfortunately, having been born too late for The Age of Steam, I never developed into train-spotting.

My favourite things include: hamsters , Rocky Mountain National Park, Here and There in The Observatory magazine, and not having undergrads knocking on my door.