Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger passed away Sunday morning, May 25, 2008, in Huntsville, Alabama. Ironically, NASA's Phoenix probe landed on Mars the same day. Dr. Stuhlinger found his way to Huntsville some fifty-odd years ago, just after the end of World War II. Stuhlinger and others had immigrated to the US during Operation Paperclip to be part of Wernher von Braun's rocket team. Dr. Stuhlinger, one of von Braun's top science advisors, eventually became the director of Marshall Space Flight Center's Space Sciences Lab in 1960. His degree was in biophysics, but Dr Stuhlinger's scientific interests were diverse and grew as he worked with scientists from all over the world. He is considered a pioneer of electric propulsion for space travel. In addition, Ernst also made terrestrial contributions to the science of electric powered automobiles and solar energy.

Dr. Stuhlinger's service to the space program was complemented by his service to the community, service that included a long career in amateur astronomy. On April 4, 1955 Ernst became one of the founding directors of the Rocket City Astronomical Society (RCAA). With his diverse scientific background and writing skills, Dr. Stuhlinger was a driving force behind the "Space Journal", which was a nationally recognized publication of the RCAA. When the RCAA became the Von Braun Astronomical Society (VBAS), Ernst served as President for the year 1978-1979. Following this, he was appointed to the position of Research Director, a post Ernst held until the late 1990's, when health issues began to limit his activities.

Ernst was a patient astronomical observer and earned Messier Cert #566, awarded November 21, 1983. In addition, Dr. Stuhlinger was qualified to use the various telescopes of the VBAS, a skill that allowed him to share the night sky with others. Since Ernst, like most VBAS members, enjoyed this activity, he taught many other members how to observe the sky and to become qualified telescope operators.

Although Dr. Stuhlinger's day job had included the task of pushing the button that launched Explorer 1, he took the time to share his knowledge and experiences with groups of students and their parents who were visiting the VBAS. In effect, Ernst launched rockets into space by day and launched young minds toward careers in science, mathematics, and engineering by night. But Ernst did not limit his outreach activities to night hours only. In the early 1990s, Dr. Stuhlinger supported VBAS astronomy day activities by showing sunspots to the public,. Ernst had put the finishing touches on a white-light solar telescope started a few years earlier by another VBAS member, Wilhelm Angele. For several years, Ernst kindly operated the solar telescope and instructed the public about sunspots, the sunspot cycle, and other solar phenomena. VBAS members have recently refurbished the solar telescope and have named it the "Stuhlinger Solar Telescope". For many years to come, the Stuhlinger Solar Telescope will inspire and educate another generation of space explorers about our home star the sun.

Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger said in his forward for the VBAS 25th anniversary brochure, "Our Society has always endeavored to share this wonderful experience with those who wish to join us at the telescope, in the planetarium, at the workshop, or just for a good talk. This desire has guided us through the first twenty-five years of our existence; it will remain our guide as long as our Society stays alive." VBAS is now 54 years young and will maintain Dr. Stuhlinger's desire to teach and share the experience of observing the universe, thus ensuring the future of VBAS and of amateur astronomy in Huntsville. But we will miss our friend and teacher, Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger.