Blake Estes Email & Phone Number

Coonabarabran, Nsw, Au

Siding Spring Observatory

• Operate, diagnose, and repair telescopes• Ensure telescope systems are fully functioning• Advise on new optical configuration and instruments• Develop procedures, schedules, and spare parts lists for maintenance and repair of telescope systems• Provide observatory support which includes fault rectification, diagnosis for both telescope systems and IT systems that support the telescopes.• Maintain the calibration library to ensure high standards are met.• Plan and… Show more • Operate, diagnose, and repair telescopes• Ensure telescope systems are fully functioning• Advise on new optical configuration and instruments• Develop procedures, schedules, and spare parts lists for maintenance and repair of telescope systems• Provide observatory support which includes fault rectification, diagnosis for both telescope systems and IT systems that support the telescopes.• Maintain the calibration library to ensure high standards are met.• Plan and conduct systems and routine tests, monitoring trends and correcting anomalies Show less

Mount Wilson, California

● Operate and maintain Mount Wilson’s 150 ft Solar Tower, historic 60” telescope and 100” telescope● Manage observatory operations by coordinating and implementing Observatory servicing strategies● Regularly conduct planetary science research with 30+ submissions to ALPO Japan, including discovery of one of the few storms ever observed on Uranus, confirmed by Hubble Space Telescope● Innovated technique that allows 60” telescope to autoguide for first time in history

● Select objects for public observation, calculate hour angle coordinates, and manually slew telescope● Communicate with 300 to 1,400 visitors nightly, providing detailed explanations of observed objects and answering questions about astronomy, astrophysics, and general science● Image objects for Observatory publications and lectures—30+ images published to date● Directed team to upgrade imaging capabilities of Zeiss telescope and equivalency telescopes● Give tours to… Show more ● Select objects for public observation, calculate hour angle coordinates, and manually slew telescope● Communicate with 300 to 1,400 visitors nightly, providing detailed explanations of observed objects and answering questions about astronomy, astrophysics, and general science● Image objects for Observatory publications and lectures—30+ images published to date● Directed team to upgrade imaging capabilities of Zeiss telescope and equivalency telescopes● Give tours to high-profile guests such as Buzz Aldrin, Bill Nye, Anousheh Ansari and Seth MacFarlane Show less

● Diagnosed and repaired instruments for dozens of telescope and mount manufacturers including Software Bisque, Astro-Physics, PlaneWave, Takahashi, 10 Micron, and Celestron● Tested prototype professional astronomy equipment: telescopes, mounts, cameras, and filters● Analyzed test results 100+ customers’ imaging equipment to improve performance● Modified and collimated optical instruments for government contractors including General Atomics, SpaceX, Aerospace Corp., and NASA

● Helped solve various technical hurdles during conducted tests of the telescope, and acquired test data for Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization project (BICEP)● Helped load the cryostat with cryogens● Conducted leak testing of cryostats with turbopumps● Assembled the structure for the telescope to be housed during its transport to Antarctica

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Industrial/Scientific Photography

Engineering Physics/Applied Physics