Stu Megan

Stu Megan, ( Stewart A. Megan) now semi-retired, has been a computer software professional since 1968, having worked on early core memory computers such as the LEO Computers LEO III, a room-sized machine that used only switches for control and ferrite rods for memory to working at Netscape as the System Test Engineering Manager for more recent internet technology products such as Netscape's Directory Server (NDS) .

He now owns his own Remote QA TestLab Services Company and several websites. In his spare time, he has been involved in various volunteerism projects. One of these projects was the Spacewatch project. During the time there, he was involved in searching for Near Earth Asteroids. He also created and ran a support site for the astronomers on the project. By analyzing online images, he discovered amongst others, the close-approaching asteroids 2004 BV18 on January 19, 2004 and 2004 UH1 on October 23, 2004. He analysed over 10,000 online images during his time on the project.

In July 2004, the asteroid designated 15462 Stumegan was named 'stumegan' in honor of Stewart A Megan's discovery work at the Spacewatch FMO project. The citation states Stewart A. Megan (b. 1952) discovered the Near Earth Object 2004 BV18 in conjunction with the Spacewatch Fast-Moving-Object Project. This find, made using real-time images transferred to volunteers over the Internet, encouraged others to join the online search.

External links

• Online Spacewatch Volunteer Discovers Close-Approaching Asteroid
• Spacewatch FMO Project
• CNN Story
• Chron Tech News
• Meteorite Newsgroup
• LA Times
• Universe Today
• CBS News
• USA Today News