Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Ottum.
Hi Brian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I saw a lunar eclipse at age 12 and became hooked on astronomy. Soon that led to ever larger telescopes, culminating in a 16 foot white dome in my backyard. I love showing the night sky to others. Once digital cameras became available, I started taking long exposure images of star clusters, gas clouds and galaxies far far away. After the nearby prison “upgraded” their outdoor lighting, I sold the dome and moved the telescope to the New Mexico desert. I operated the remote-control telescope for 7 years, putting on YouTube Live shows and taking great shots. I enjoy displaying my pictures at astronomy events and art galleries. The newest technology allows me to put on shows under the night skies for groups. I’ve been an “astronomer in residence” at resorts in FL and TX.
As I type this I am returning from a Utah astronomy conference where I talked about the 10 different types of astrophotography. I enjoy teaching others not to make the mistakes that I did.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Those prison lights were a real problem. I moved the scope. But now with new technology I can take great shots still at my house.
I was planning to go to Chile when COVID hit, so that was cancelled. But then I was asked to help assess a University of Michigan telescope in Chile (which had not been operated for 7 years). This allowed me to see the southern sky for the first time.
Michigan is one of the most difficult places to be an observational astronomer: very cloudy, mosquitoes, late summer sunsets, light pollution, dew. So I go south for some of the winter. Often put on shows in return for free camp spot for my RV.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Took a personality test and totally changed my career path. PhD in innovation. 30 years ago started my own consultancy to help companies develop new products & services. Have helped develop new auto interiors, new appliances, new diapers, new web services, new education programs, and new medical devices. Have received awards for my work. I’m a bit different because I am both creative (divergent thinking) and analytical/statistical (convergent thinking). My consulting projects are less frequent now, as I am doing more astronomy. But I have started to teach MBA classes in the Leadership of Innovation.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
You have to work on it. Be deliberate. Be proactive and don’t wait. Find someone you want to emulate (or who has a lot to teach). It’s not always easy. Sometimes there’s rejection (or just inattention).
I had a mentor at University of Michigan, and that started with me just cold calling him for career advice. It eventually led to me being hired by UM to teach courses there (after he had retired).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astropicsdaily/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-ottum-9b4b77/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Dobsonion
- Other: https://ottum.smugmug.com/
