Heman Heyn at Thames and Broadway

         "My enduring interest in astronomy began with Miss Wicker in 8th grade general science at Garrison Junior High. One day she drew the Big Dipper on the board and instructed us to find it that night. I did, and was immediately hooked. As a teenager I'd read a huge number of astronomy books and become pretty conversant with the subject. My supportive father bought me a 3" refractor but, soon after, I sold it. In 1978, having some spare cash from selling my house, I bought my first adult telescope, another 3" refractor.
          Rather than disciplined observing, my main activity with it was visiting schools (with a slide show, too) and entertaining friends at cookouts.
         In 1981 I acquired my 8" Meade SCT from my son, who received it from his wife as a wedding present years earlier.
         My Baltimore's Street-Corner Astronomer career began Friday, the 13th of November, 1987. It was a gorgeous early evening sky with both the Moon and Jupiter front and center. I had nothing special going on, so I decided to take my 8" to Fell's Point to share the sky's beauty with the public."

Herman as a Teacher

Because he dispenses so much information, many of his lookers ask Herman if he's a teacher. In 1978 he received an elementary education degree from Coppin State Teachers College (now Coppin University). After practice teaching and being certified, he decided full time class room teaching was not for him. He launched into a series of work-a-day-world jobs, ranging from lab tech to office manager for a small construction company (lasted 12 years). A Korean war vet, he also spent four years as office manager of the Baltimore Peace Action Center, an anti-Vietnam war organization. Between 1984 and 1995, operating as HC Designs, Inc., he designed and marketed t-shirts. His first designs were Halley's Comet followed by a very successful line of grand opera t-shirts and tote bags. Herman thanks his lucky stars for the day he discovered "street' telescoping because, he says, "It's far and away what I do best in this world."