Dr. Marschall is on the faculty of Gettysburg College where he teaches courses in astronomy, physics, and science writing. Educated at Cornell University (B.S., 1966) and the University of Chicago (Ph.D., 1971), he joined the Gettysburg faculty in 1971. He has been a visiting Professor at Boston University (1987 and 1995), and a visiting scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics(1986 and 1994) and Yale University (1980). In 1998 he received a Distinguished Teaching Award from Gettysburg College.
Dr. Marschall's areas of research include observational
studies of binary stars, very young stars, and supernovas.
He is also known among astronomers for his work in astronomy
education, both in promoting the use of electronic cameras
for undergraduate research at small observatories, and in
directing Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences
in Astronomy) which develops innovative computer exercises
in astronomy. Project CLEA exercises are used by tens of
thousands of students in all 50 states and 50 foreign
countries and have twice been awarded national prizes for
educational software from the journal COMPUTERS IN PHYSICS.
Besides his teaching and research, Dr. Marschall is an
active science popularizer. He was a contributing
editor to the award-winning (and late-lamented) popular
magazine THE SCIENCES for 17 years, writing occasional articles on
astronomy and a regular column on current popular books from
all the sciences. He was editor of a quarterly magazine for
amateur astronomers, CCD ASTRONOMY, and is a contributing
editor of SMITHSONIAN AIR AND SPACE. He contributes annual
astronomy updates to THE WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. His book
THE SUPERNOVA STORY (Princeton Science Library, 1994) has been
widely praised for its readability and appeal to the general.
reader. He currently serves as Deputy Press Officer
of the American Astronomical Society. In addition to over
40 articles in professional journals, Professor Marschall
has written dozens of popular science articles and reviews
for publications such as Sky and Telescope, Astronomy,
Harper's, Newsday, and The New York Times Book Review.