Friday, October 9, 2009

My Husband's Visit to the White House

This Wednesday my husband was one of 21 amateur and professional astronomers who were invited by NASA to the White House for Astronomy Night. They were joined by 150 local middle school students who had the opportunity to gaze at the stars through different types of telescopes. President Obama spoke at the event. Here he is coming out to the podium to join the First Lady.
This was Dan's best close-up shot, unfortunately the President's eyes were closed. To the right is his national Science Advisor, John Holdren.
This gives you a sense of how close Dan was to the podium. Big Question - Did he get to shake the President's hand? He didn't. Just as President Obama was coming to Dan's telescope a group of middle school students came over, and being the great teacher he is, he gave them his full attention. However, he did have the honor of meeting and talking to astronaut Buzz Aldrin.Here's a picture of my husband Dan Carroll (on the right) and Dean Howarth, Physics teacher at McLean High School, McLean, VA (on the left.) Dan teaches at Yorktown High School in Arlington. Next Question: Why are they dressed like that? Well, the White House event was part of the International Year of Astronomy and marks the 400th year of Galileo's first astronomical observations with a telescope. Dan is dressed like Galileo and Dean is dressed as Sir Isaac Newton. Dean also brought historical replicas of telescopes and other instruments and it proved really popular with the kids.
A final shot of my husband whom I often refer to as a true renaissance man! Dan is having a banner week. He also appeared on Fox 5 News and this morning representatives from the German Embassy are meeting him at his school to watch the NASA moon/blast mission. Later today he will be taking his students on a field trip to the Solar Houses at the Mall downtown.

30 comments:

Sandra Regis said...

Wow!What a big emotion!I feel happy for you both. Here in Brazil, we really admire President Obama.(mainly after his comments on President Lula: "This is the guy!") Sandra Regis, Rio de Janeiro

ArchitectDesign™ said...

oh how cool! i still have never been to the white house on a tour -let alone invited! amazing!

Jeannine | The Small and Chic Home said...

Whoa! My worlds are colliding! I work at a certain University that gets a lot of students from Yorktown (and McLean, for that matter). I'll be visiting Yorktown at the end of the month! How funny!

I thought the astronomy night was very cool and am glad it got national press!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

What a great time, he must be walking on clouds! (Hum, feels like there is a pun in there somewhere...)
Janell

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

How perfectly wonderful!! Many congratulations to your husband. What a fun week!

mb said...

What a scream to have been invited to the White House... and get to go in FULL COSTUME!!! Your husband looked as though he had the night of his life on so many levels.
Thanks for sharing.

Blog Author(s) said...

Many Congratulations! How fantastic for everybody. Wahoo!

home before dark said...

Your family must be over the moon about this. So nice to have a White House that thinks science is a wonderful thing!

Jennifer Sergent said...

I went to Florence a couple years ago and my sister and I happened up the museum of technology and science (not sure if that's the actual name). Anyway, there was a Galileo room, and in a jar they have displayed Galileo's impressively preserved middle finger! (I wonder if it's pointing towards the Vatican...) The museum was INCREDIBLE -- your husband probably would have a hard time leaving.

Windlost said...

Our congratulations to Dan! What a wonderful week full of recognition and accomplishments (and fun!). Love that Galileo costume. His students are blessed to have such an entuhsiastic and interesting teacher!

Unknown said...

October is turning out to be a great success month for many talented individuals. How Special! Enjoy the highlight of it.

Bette

Lauren said...

wow he really can do everything!!!! congrats to dan on such big week!!!!

xoxo

Unknown said...

How cool is that! What an honor and something to tell the grand children....one day!

Donna said...

Very exciting!!! Is Obama super nice in person? :)

Renée Finberg said...

the coolest !!!!

Christine said...

How cute!! BTW, my last name is Carroll also :-)

Linda Merrill said...

How fun is that!

Pat said...

Dan,
That's so cool...hope you keep the costume for 10/31! You must be a great teacher.

MMW said...

okay- so I love your blog for all the design goodies you share...however...this is SOOO COOL. Love hearing a bit about your personal life. What a wonderful opportunity for your husband.

A Refocused Life said...

How fun...what a story to tell.

cotedetexas said...

He is such a doll and I;m talking about your husband even though I have a soft spot in my heart for the big O.

he looks adorable in his get up!!! you must be so proud of him!!!!!!

congratulations!

pve design said...

To the moon! How wonderful for your hubs and your family! Love that he is a teacher.
pve

Hill Country House Girl said...

Michele, thank so much for sharing such a great experience with us. It says a lot about your husband and the kids who get to learn from him are so fortunate. Hope all is well with you!

Laura said...

I've been following your blog for a couple years (referred from the Washington Post). Imagine my suprise and delight to see pictures of my high school physics teacher, Mr. Carroll! Thanks so much, it is a small world after all.

Fifi Flowers said...

HOw FABULOUS for your hubby!!!

Maryam in Marrakesh said...

That is just the coolest thing ever!!!

72 and sunny said...

this is so amazing! I have a total 'teacher crush' on Obama. So glad you have such great photos!

Thomas said...

What an amazing post! I remember you mentioning this at the blog dinner. Fantastic! Look forward to hearing the details in person.

Lisa Porter said...

What a wonderful man....ahem...i'm refering to your husband. I bet his students, young & old are so grateful for the knowledge he has to share. Buzz is a good friend of our family, another remarkable man, i'm so glad that he & your husband met.
Thanks for sharing this story with us, you should be so proud.
Lisa

Marnie said...

fun and exciting

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