14 replies to this topic

[Special Ed]

I am saddened to report that CN member Jeff Beish passed away February 4th, 2025.  Jeff was a veteran Mars observer from way back in the 1960's and the ALPO Mars Section reporter/coordinator from 1970 to 2020.  He was a highly skilled observer and made many detailed sketches of Mars over the years.  He was a treasure trove of knowledge about the Red Planet. 

 

I learned much of what I know about observing and sketching Mars from talking with him here on CN and from going to his Mars Observers Cafe and reading his On-Line Mars Observer's Handbook.

 

He will be missed.

[RMay]

All; below is a link to the obituary/remembrance of Jeff, provided to me by ALPO senior staff, and I’m happy to share it with you all in the CN community.

https://www.alpo-ast...sh/Beishpap.pdf

Ron

[happylimpet]

A huge loss. I was always thrilled when he responded to any of my posts on here.

[Michael Rapp]

My sadness of learning of his passing cannot be expressed in words. 

 

In the mid-1990s, he was so kind and so instrumental in igniting a lifelong love of my observing the planet Mars.  

 

I will certainly think of him every time I view the red planet from now on.

[John Boudreau]

A very big loss to the planetary observing and imaging communities. I always appreciated his sharing of his vast knowledge of the seasonal changes of Mars.

 

RIP Jeff. 

[Michael Rapp]

I have been thinking of Jeff this evening.  It is astonishing that I have been looking at his Mars Apparition web pages for nearly 30 years now.

 

His last one was for this apparition:  https://www.alpo-ast...h/2025_MARS.htm

 

I hope someone at ALPO keeps this up, perhaps in the same format.  The format was, by today's standards, dated, but it was consistent, clear, and....perhaps even comforting.

[John Boudreau]

I have been thinking of Jeff this evening.  It is astonishing that I have been looking at his Mars Apparition web pages for nearly 30 years now.

 

His last one was for this apparition:  https://www.alpo-ast...h/2025_MARS.htm

 

I hope someone at ALPO keeps this up, perhaps in the same format.  The format was, by today's standards, dated, but it was consistent, clear, and....perhaps even comforting.

I knew that in recent years Jeff had been working on apparition web pages well in advance, and CN member KiwiRay posted that they are available up to the 2039-40 apparition. So we'll have something to referece Mars and remember Jeff for some years to come.

 

https://www.alpo-ast...h/2040_MARS.htm

[RogerLaureys]

Sorry to read that Jeff passed away. I will always remember his thoughtful remarks when discussing my Mars observations. My sincere condolences to his family !

[PCW]

Oh, that's great loss! RIP.

[Dean Norris]

I am grateful for all that he shared with the astronomy community. 

 

God bless him and his family.

[SNH]

Thank you, Ron, for the autobiography of Jeff Beish. I enjoyed reading it. May he finally get to visit Mars!

 

Scott H.

[Cliff C]

Very sad news. Jeff's Mars apparition charts have been my go-to source of info and planning for my Mars observing.

First chance weather permits I will be out observing Mars and thinking of Jeff.

Thanks for the great resource Jeff, many, many thanks.

[RAKing]

RIP, Jeff.  

 

You will be missed,

 

Ron

[Michael Rapp]

I knew that in recent years Jeff had been working on apparition web pages well in advance, and CN member KiwiRay posted that they are available up to the 2039-40 apparition. So we'll have something to referece Mars and remember Jeff for some years to come.

 

https://www.alpo-ast...h/2040_MARS.htm

John, this is wonderful.  What a perfect legacy.  I am so pleased!

[Rutilus]

RIP Jeff.