Nik Szymanek

Nik Szymanek
Nik Szymanek
	Nik Szymanek presenting at the National Astronomy Meeting 2012
Nationality	British
Known for	astrophotography, CCD imaging

Nicholas Szymanek, better known as Nik Szymanek, is a British amateur astronomer and prolific astrophotographer, based in Essex, England.^[1]

Originally a train driver in the London Underground, he started to be interested in astronomical CCD imaging shortly before 1991. His interest in this kind of observational astronomy rose in 1991, after he met Ian King, another amateur astronomer and a fellow from the local Havering Astronomical Society.^[2]

Since that time he got most known for his deep sky CCD images and his contributions to education and public outreach. He collaborates with professional astronomers and works with big telescopes located at La Palma in the Canary Islands, and at Mauna Kea Observatories at the Hawaiian Islands.^[1] He publishes his pictures in astronomical magazines^[1] and has written a book on astrophotography called Infinity Rising.^[3]^[4]

His imaging and image-processing abilities brought him the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 2004.^[5]^[6]

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References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c "Awards for astronomers". The World at Night. Astronomers Without Borders. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
^ Ratledge, David, ed. (1997). The Art and Science of CCD Astronomy. London: Springer Verlag. pp. 123, 162. ISBN 978-3-540-76103-7.
^ "Books of Note Archives". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
^ Szymanek, Nik (6 June 2009). Infinity Rising. Pole Star Publications Limited. ISBN 978-0-9550278-0-2.
^ "Past Amateur Achievement winners". Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
^ Patient, Douglas (2015-02-17). "Award-winning astronomer Nik Szymanek visited Wanstead last night". East London & West Essex Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2017.