Dr. Mike Inglis

Astronomer. Academic. Author.

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Dr. Mike Inglis is an astronomer with a life-long passion for astronomy and astrophysics. In addition to observing the night sky, he teaches several astronomy topics, writes books and magazine articles for various audiences, and lectures to the general public.

He has worked at the University of Hertfordshire and Warwick University (in the UK) and at Princeton University and Suffolk County Community College SCCC, (in the USA), and used some of the world’s largest telescopes in Australia, Tenerife, Great Britain and La Palma.

The second edition of Mike Inglis's classic guide to observing the Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere has just been published. Newly laid out for ease of use with an increased number of images in color, it updates and improves the first edition to remain the most comprehensive book on the subject. One of the wonders of the universe we live in is the Milky Way, and this book provides a wonderful tour of its highlights for amateur astronomers.

Observers interested in viewing our own galaxy's finest features will find herein detailed descriptions for every constellation that the Milky Way passes through, including stars, double and multiple stars, emission nebulae, planetary nebulae, dark nebulae and supernovae remnants, open and globular clusters, and galaxies. 

Mike also describes the one thing that is often left out of observing guides - the amazing star clouds of the Milky Way itself. In addition to the descriptive text there are many star charts and maps, as well as the latest images made by observatories and amateur astronomers around the world and in space. This updated version offers new scientific material and an easy-to-use layout perfect for many nights of fruitful observation.

He is currently Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at SCCC, part of the State University of New York. Mike has an Honours degree in Physics, a Masters degree in Astronomy & Astronautics, and a PhD in Astrophysics; postgraduate degrees are from the University of Hertfordshire. In a seminal paper in 1993, Mike was revealed as the discoverer of the first radio galaxy (IC5063) to have “hidden broad lines,” a key aspect of the now-familiar unified model of Active Galaxies.

Mike is the author of numerous astronomy books for the amateur astronomer and astrophysics student. Additionally, he has had many articles published in popular astronomy magazines, such as Sky & Telescope (the world’s best selling astronomy magazine), the Journal of the SPA [Society for Popular Astronomy], and Astronomy Now (the UK’s best selling magazine), as well as in research-level journals.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, a member of the International Astronomical Union, a Member of the Royal Institution, and a member of the European Astronomical Association.. He is also very proud to be President of the South Bayfordbury Astronomical Society. Mike is also a member of the advisory board of Montauk Observatory project. Public outreach is something that Mike is very passionate about, and to support these endeavors, Mike was appointed, in 2004, as a NASA Solar System Ambassador.

The diversity of Mike’s work over the past 20 years has generated numerous areas of interest and expertise. He has enjoyed teaching both undergraduates and postgraduates around the world, and has undertaken research in myriad fields, such as nebula morphology, active galaxies, and cosmology. Mike is currently working on the detection of extremely high-energy cosmic rays.

In 1999, Mike left the UK for the USA and spent some time at Princeton University, involved in the renowned WMAP project. During this time he was invited by NASA to attend the launch of the WMAP satellite from Cape Canaveral as a guest VIP. Four years later, he moved to his new home on Long Island and began a new position at SCCC, where he can now follow his passions of teaching astronomy and playing with telescopes! In 2011, Mike received his "Green Card" as a Permanent Resident of the USA, with the official classification - "An Outstanding Professor of Teaching with an International Reputation".

Mike’s latest book is a 2nd edition of his classic 2 volume work "Astronomy of the Milky Way."

Aside from astronomy, Mike’s interests (yes, he does have a few) are, in no particular order: looking through telescopes, making (and eating!) curries, reading the books of Phil Rickman (www.philrickman.co.uk) science fiction, spending time with good friends, listening to music of all types but especially the music of Steve Roach (www.steveroach.com), prog rock, romantic classical, and raga. sampling the beers of the world, and being with his family.

Recent News

Mike has had a CD of music dedicated to him by the musician Steve Roach, who is a several times Grammy nominee composer and performer of ambient and electronic music. The dedication reads "Deep Sky Immersion is dedicated to Astronomer Mike Inglis whose most recent book Astronomy of the Milky Way - The Observer's Guide to the Southern Sky, presents his dedication and solitary passion to map out the realms often taken for granted in our daily life. Thank you Mike!"

Mike has been invited to join the European Astronomical Society, Europe's premier organization for professional astronomers.

New Book:

Astronomy of the Milky Way: The Southern Sky.

The book is an updated and revised edition of Mike's classic text, and remains the most comprehensive book on the subject.

Available from Amazon and all good book shops.

Plus: Dr Mike Inglis is currently planning a book for 2021, which will be an expanded 3rd edition of his book on Astrophysics.

Contact Mike

All content and images © Dr Mike Inglis 2020.