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So Long and Thanks For All The Fish

RIP Jack Horkheimer, Astronomically Cool Geek

by Susana Polo | 12:55 pm, August 22nd, 2010

On Friday afternoon Jack Horkheimer, veteran astronomer and naked-eye-astronomy enthusiast, died of “a respiratory ailment” at the age of 72.

He was the executive director of the planetarium at the Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit, but was most well known for his weekly PBS series.  It’s called Jack Horkheimer: Star Gazer and he started doing it in 1976.

I was first introduced to Mr. Horkheimer’s short weekly show in Astronomy 101, my last year in college, when our professor would cap off every Friday class with it.  To a bunch of humanities students just trying to get their Science/Math requirement out of the way, Horkheimer was embarrassingly enthusiastic.  His videos wouldn’t take no for an answer; shaming, awing, and assaulting us with the incredible, awesome things that you can experience just by looking at the sky every now and then.

And doing it all from an unbearably ridiculous green screen mock up of him sitting on a planetary ring.

For the same experience, here is his show on what the night sky will hold in the coming week.

And here his final recorded show, covering this Labor Day Weekend.

We wish you clear skies for your (as Mr. Horkheimer would say) looking up.

(via The Miami Herald.)

  • 5teev

    I remember it as “Star Hustler” and it was awesome. Keep looking up!

  • sunnyinsandiego

    I loved this corny dude. 5 minutes, and he gave me all the info I needed to see the stars! My noontime Public TV will never be the same. Godspeed stargazer!

  • Gabrielcollazo

    I was not aware of his passing. I thought that he just retired from W P B S Ch 2  and was well. I use to watch him every night. I still got his complete Star Sky Map Scale that he once gave away for free on TV on Nov.7/89. Its a shame. He got me started on the vastness of the universe and its infinite resolute. What a guy!  Well Jack! May the force be with you and forgive me  ; For not knowing . I meant no disrespect .I was a Star Gazer since 1976, Never got to see his last show. I took my daughter to see one of his shows at the  Miami Planetarium. I use to go to the one in New York. Across from the Museum of Modern Art.I have always gazed at the universe and now study Astro Physics.  Thank you jack for the eye opener. I ‘ll keep looking up and hope to catch a glimpse of you my friend! GodSpeed!

  • Alfredb1979

    Did not know Jack passed on…not a mention of it on his website and I know I have looked at it on mt bookmarks since last August.  

  • Travisrogersjr

    A wonderful show and a charming man. I miss him.

  • Mpesik

     I remember Star Gazer very fondly in the 80′s.

    He’d be on TV after I’d come home from the nightclubs with a pizza and a girl.

    My girlfriends would have to put up with it whether they wished to or not.

    Clair de lune became a favorite tune for me.

    Mr. Horkheimer than you for those great memories and keeping me interested in Astronomy.

    R.I.P my friend.
    Mike.

  • casey cree

    i first started to watch jack in 1986 from our station in Yakima wa….it was hard for me to stay up until 11:00 for his 5 minute sections…but id wait all day for that few moments….so when i looked into the night sky id know what he was talking about. yeah ill miss him……i live in philippines now, no public stations. but my computer can get it….wish someone would take his place and continue to show us the night sky….thanks…..casey


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