Dr. Jim and Grace Rickard

James Rickard has had a 40 year research career in both optical and radio astronomy and as a university professor. After obtaining a PhD from University of Maryland, he and his wife Grace spent a number of years in Chile, where he was employed as a staff astronomer at the European Southern Observatory. He came to Borrego Springs as a staff member at the Clark Lake Radio Observatory in 1977. In 1994 he took a teaching position at San Diego State University, Imperial Valley campus and retired in 2004.

For more than 25 years Jim and Grace have been giving popular star gazings for the public as part of the ABDNHA programs. They enjoy sharing their telescopes to observe celestial objects, pointing out the constellations, and considering the possibility of “life out there” with Borrego Valley residents and visitors.

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association
P O BOX 310 ( 652 Palm Canyon Drive) Borrego Springs, CA 92004-0310
Office 760-767-3052 | Desert Store & Nature Center 760-767-3098 | FAX 760-767-3099