Jack Horkheimer, PBS's "The Star Gazer", passed away on Friday at the age of 72. Horkheimer was director of Miami's Space Transit Planetarium, and hosted his unique astronomy program every week for the past 31 years. The show featured current events in the sky for amateur astronomers, and was seen on PBS affiliates around the country.

 

Any South Florida native will tell you that the planetarium is a staple of growing up here, and he no doubt inspired many children to pursue careers in all branches of science. His passing is an opportunity to recognize the tireless work of countless planetariums around the world and their undeniable influence on generation after generation of young minds.

 

When I was active in amateur astronomy back in the 1980s, we used to check his show each week before going out to the observatory, and we always made an effort to check out anything he had mentioned.

 

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Miamis-Star-Gazer-Dead-at-72-101195209.html

Yeah, I remember him from when I was stationed in Orlando.