Felix "Jay" Lockman
Felix James (Jay) Lockman is an astronomer specializing in research into the structure and evolution of the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. He received his B.S. from Drexel University and PhD from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After a postdoctoral position at the Carnegie Institution for Science, he joined the scientific staff of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Charlottesville, VA.
As Project Scientist he was involved in the design of the Green Bank Radio Telescope, and in 1993 moved with his family to Green Bank, WV, to become the Green Bank Observatory Director. After stepping down as Director he was named Green Bank Telescope Principal Scientist, a position he holds to this day.
Jay has published numerous articles on his research and has lectured at universities and observatories around the world. He has also been involved in many activities in education and outreach to the general public. Jay created a series of video lectures for “The Great Courses” on the topic “Radio Astronomy: Observing the Invisible Universe”.
He has worked as a consultant to NASA and the National Science Foundation, was on the Board of Directors of the American Astronomical Society (2007 - 2010) and was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in recognition of his research and service to the astronomical community.
Jay loves music in all its forms and has performed since childhood on piano, baritone horn (in a high school marching band), and guitar. He currently plays second fiddle (and occasionally banjo) with “Juanita Fireball and the Continental Drifters”, a Pocahontas County WV “Old Time” band. They entertain at square dances, weddings, funerals, and oddly successful fund-raisers.
