Ernie Rossi is pictured with some of his many telescopes on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. For eight years Rossi has been president of The Plantation at Leesburg astronomy club and besides doing monthly presentations for the 50-member group, he has been reaching out to the community to share his love for the stars. He holds a meeting on the third Monday of the month from September through May.. ( Tom Benitez/Orlando Sentinel ) (Tom Benitez, Orlando Sentinel / )
LEESBURG - Life is 'out of this world' for Ernie Rossi - literally.
Rossi has been president of The Plantation at Leesburg astronomy club for eight years. Besides doing monthly presentations for the 50-member group he has been reaching out to the community to share his love for the stars.
At a recent meeting he presented a telescope to an astronomy student at Lake-Sumter State College.
'I started viewing the stars and the planets when I was about 10 years old and always wanted to do outreach with kids and the community,' said Rossi, 74. 'I also wanted to share a telescope with someone who will be sure to use it.'
LSSC student Cullen Martinez's astronomy instructor, Stu Anderson, said he was so impressed with Martinez's performance in his class this semester that he was a shoo-in to be awarded the telescope. Anderson teaches two sessions each term to about 44 students.
'Cullen is an outstanding student and he presented superior reports on his observation sessions,' Anderson said. 'When I asked him if he would use a telescope if he had one, he said, 'absolutely!''
Each term Anderson's students must perform and give reports on six observation sessions of stars, constellations, planets, shooting stars, satellites, and rings around the moon. Rossi often lends a hand with the telescopes and class labs.
'It is wonderful to have him helping and I am so happy to have discovered him and the club,' said Anderson, who met Rossi about four years ago.
Rossi was a data processor for banking institutions for 33 years in New York and New Jersey. After retiring he worked at a number of colleges as an adjunct instructor teaching astronomy classes. He and his wife, Gina, 71, moved to Lake in 2006.
Through the years Rossi has been able to share his extraterrestrial knowhow with all ages and also with those who have wondered what all of the excitement is about.
'One guy asked me why I care about what is up there,' he said. 'When I showed him, he said it changed his life and has come back every month for our meetings.'
On clear nights the club joins at Rossi's house, where he sets up his 35-plus telescopes so everyone can have a good view. Rossi also takes highly magnified photographs of stellar images with specialized equipment and shares them with the club, college students and beyond.
'We look at the planets, clusters and nebulae, but the photos will take your breath away,' Rossi said. 'And we are always wanting to encourage more young people to get involved.'
The public is welcome to attend a free astronomy presentation at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 at Hermitage Hall in The Plantation at Leesburg, 25327 U.S. Highway 27,.
'I love to give back to people all around me who might benefit from the passion and knowledge I have about astronomy,' he said.
For more information, call Rossi at 352-728-1631.
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