1138 Towncrest Road
Williamsport, PA 17701
Home: (717)322-1513
Department of Astronomy & Physics
Academic Center, D-303
LYCOMING COLLEGE
700 College Place
Williamsport, PA 17701
Office:(717)321-4281
fisher@lycoming.edu
Position: Department of Astronomy & Physics, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy; advisor, local chapter of Society of Physics Students.
Professional Interests: Undergraduate physics and astronomy education, with emphasis on excellence in teaching. Technical history of manned space flight. Radiation effects in metals, magnetic materials, high temperature superconductors.
Education:
University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
1980-83 - Ph. D. in Physics. Dissertation on radiation effects in amorphous magnetic materials; in particular, proton and electron induced changes in magnetic and crystallization properties of amorphous metallic alloys. Completion of a minor in materials science.
1977-80 - Master of Science in Physics. Thesis on low temperature recombination of point defects in KCl created by x-ray irradiation.
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
1975-77 - Bachelor of Science in Physics. Honors and Activities: Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Mu Epsilon. Awarded Davey Scholarship in senior year. Graduated with high distinction.
Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill Campus, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania 17971
1973-1975 - Completion of freshman and sophomore year work required for B.S. in physics. Received the Schuylkill Campus Physics Award in sophomore year.
Experience:
Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 1993-present. Teaching duties include both introductory and advanced physics courses, introductory astronomy laboratory, space flight courses, and occasional applied mathematics courses.
Department Chair, Department of Astronomy and Physics, Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Fall 1989 to Fall 1994. Acting Chair Fall 1996 (sabbatical replacement)
Assistant Professor of Physics, Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. 1984-1993. Teaching duties included both introductory and advanced physics courses, introductory astronomy laboratory, space flight courses, mathematics courses.
Post-doctoral fellow. Bartol Research Foundation of the Franklin Institute, Newark, Delaware under the direction of Dr. C. P. Swann. Sept. 1983-Aug. 1984.
Courses Taught
Introductory Physics I, II (both calculus-based and non-calculus based), Electronics, Modern Physics, Electromagnetism, Atomic & Molecular Physics, Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Space Flight History, Introductory Astronomy and Geology Laboratory sections, Planetary Science, Differential Equations, Mathematical Methods of Physics, and Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics.
Works Published
1. T. A. Donnelly, D. G. Fisher, R. B. Murray, and C. P. Swann, Electron and Proton Irradiation Effects in Amorphous Fe-Ni- P-B Alloys, J. Appl. Phys. 53(11), Nov. 1982, p.7801.
2. D. G. Fisher, R. B. Murray, Proton Implantation in Amorphous Fe(20)Ni(60)P(14)B(6) and Fe(20)Ni(60)B(20) Ribbons, Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 28, No. 3, March 1983, p. 414.
3. D. G. Fisher, R. B. Murray, and C. P. Swann, Proton Implantation Effects in Amorphous Fe-Ni-P-B, J. Appl. Phys. 56(4), 15 Aug. 1984, p. 1055.
4. D. G. Fisher, R. B. Murray, and C. P. Swann, Changes in Curie Temperature due to Irradiation and Thermal Annealing in Amorphous Fe(20)Ni(60)P(14)B(6), J. Appl. Phys. 58(1), 1 July 1985.
5. D. G. Fisher, Twenty Five Years of Interplanetary Spacecraft, California Aerospace Educator, Fall 1987 Vol. 4 No. 2.
6. D. G. Fisher, Star Wars: Ultimate Defense or Ultimate Destruction, Lycoming Quarterly, March 1988 issue.
7. D. G. Fisher, Reflections on Teaching Space Flight in the Classroom, California Aerospace Educator, Winter 1988 Vol. 5 No. 1.
8. Commissioned by Salem Press to contribute ten articles [Mariner 1 & 2, Mercury Redstone 3, Mercury Redstone 4, Voskhod Program (USSR): Overview, Gemini 5, Soyuz 1, Soyuz 4 & 5, Apollo 9, Soyuz 6, 7, and 8, Soyuz 10 and 11] for MacGill's Survey of Science: Space Exploration Series. (Published March 1989)
9. D. G. Fisher, Apollo 11: "The Eagle Has Landed", California Aerospace Educator, Summer 1989 Vol. 5 No. 3.
10. Commissioned by Salem Press to contribute three articles [Skylab, Mercury, and Io] for MacGill's Survey of Science: Earth Sciences Series. (Published Fall 1989)
11. D. G. Fisher, Reflections on Apollo 11, Lycoming Quarterly, September 1989 issue.
12. D. G. Fisher and T. M. Slawecki, Hubble Space Telescope: New Vistas for Astronomy, California Aerospace Educator, Winter 1990 Vol. 6 No. 1.
13. Commissioned by Salem Press to contribute two articles [Tiros 1: First Experimental Weather Reconnaissance Satellite and Mir (1986): World's First Permanently Manned Space Station] for MacGill's Survey of Science: Great Moments in Science and Technology. (publication 1991)
14. Commissioned by Salem Press to contribute nine articles [Electric and Magnetic Fields, Transistors, Wave-Particle Duality, Orthogonal Functions and Expansions, X-ray and Electron Diffraction, The Uncertainty Principle, Forces on Charges and Currents, Inductors, and Thermocouples] for MacGill's Survey of Science: Physical Science Series. (publication 1992)
15. D. G. Fisher, The Demise of Salyut 7, California Aerospace Educator, Fall 1991 Vol 7. No. 4.
16. D. G. Fisher, In Support of Space Station Freedom, Lycoming Quarterly, Winter 1992.
17. D. G. Fisher, Fire on Pad 34: the Apollo 1 Accident, California Aerospace Educator, Winter 1992 Vol 9. No. 1.
18. D. G. Fisher, Diode Characteristics to Determine Boltzmann Constant, The Physics Teacher. Vol. 30 No. 5, May 1992, p. 315-316.
19. D. G. Fisher, Pioneer Venus, Quest: The History of Spaceflight Journal. Vol. 1. No. 4. (winter 1992) p. 4-15.
20. D. G. Fisher, R. R. Erickson, and K. S. Hecht, Sandbox Science, The Science Teacher. Vol. 60 No. 2, February 1993, p. 18-22.
21. D. G. Fisher, Space Travel is Today's Railroad to the Stars, California Aerospace Educator, Vol. 10, No. 2, Summer 1993. pps. 32-33.
22. D. G. Fisher, Solar Power Satellites, Great Events from History II: Ecology and the Environment. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published 1995).
23. D. G. Fisher, Voskhod-2 EVA Rescue. Letter to the Editor Spaceflight: The International Magazine of Space and Astronautics. October, 1994. Vol. 36. No. 10.
24. D. G. Fisher and W. T. Franz, Undergraduate Laboratory Demonstration of Aspects of Phase Transitions Using Curie Temperature Determination in Amorphous Ferromagnetic Materials, American Journal of Physics. Vol. 63. No. 3. March 1995. ps. 248-251.
25. D. G. Fisher, "What About Earth?" Letter to the Editor Ad Astra September/October 1995. p. 3.
26. Submitted detailed errors in the movie Apollo 13 in response to an international competition sponsored by Quest: The Journal of Space Flight History. Placed fifth. Errors were published in the Winter 1996 issue of said journal.
27. D. G. Fisher, Apollo 11, Great Events from History: North American Series, Rev. ed. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. published 1996.
28. D. G. Fisher, MR-3 First American in Space, Great Events from History: North American Series, Rev. ed. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published 1996).
29. Contributing author to the three-volume set USA In Space. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published 1996).
articles included:
Space Shuttle Mission 49: Endeavour
Space Shuttle Mission 61: Endeavour
Space Shuttle Mission 63: Discovery
Voyager 2 at Neptune
Mercury-Redstone 3
Mercury-Redstone 4
Gemini 5
Apollo 9
30. D. G. Fisher, The Soviet Union Launches Sputnik, Great Events from History: European series, Rev. ed. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. published 1996.
31. D. G. Fisher, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The Encyclopedia for Propaganda. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. October, 1997.
32. D. G. Fisher, Russian Mir space station activities in 1996, Science, 1997. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. to be published early in 1997.
33. D. G. Fisher, Salyut 1 Experiments. Quest: The Journal of Space Flight History. Winter 1997 issue. p. 34.
34. D. G. Fisher, Shannon Lucid's 188 Day in Space: From STS-76 to STS-79. Quest: The Journal of Space Flight History. Winter 1997 issue. ps 12-20.
35. D. G. Fisher, Pendulums. Magill's Survey of Science: Physical Science. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published early in 1997).
36. D. G. Fisher, Hubble Space Telescope (Dec. 2-13, 1993). The Encyclopedia of North American History. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1997).
37. D. G. Fisher, Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism. Magill's Survey of Science: Physical Science Series. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1997).
38. D. G. Fisher, Thermoelectricity. Magill's Survey of Science: Physical Science Supplement. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1997).
39. D. G. Fisher, Amorphous Materials. Magill's Survey of Science: Applied Science Supplement. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1997).
40. D. G. Fisher, Gemini Program. The Sixties in America. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1998).
41. D. G. Fisher, Mir Space Station, 1997: Tribulations and Recovery. Science Annual: Fall 1998. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1998).
42. D. G. Fisher, Alan Shepard. Dictionary of World Biography: The 19th Century. Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published in 1999).
43. Contributing author to the three-volume set USA In Space.
(2nd ed.) Salem Press, Inc., Pasadena, California. (published 2000).
articles included:
Space Shuttle Mission 49:
Endeavour
Space Shuttle Mission 61:
Endeavour
Space Shuttle Mission 63:
Discovery
Voyager 2 at Neptune
Mercury-Redstone 3
Mercury-Redstone 4
Gemini 5
Apollo 9
Hubble Telescope Servicing
Missions: STS-61, STS-82, STS- 103
Russian Mir Space Station:
as a prelude to the International Space Station
Space Shuttle/Mir Joint
Missions: STS-71, 74, 76, 79, 81, 84, 86, 89, 91
Space Shuttle Mission STS-93:
First female shuttle commander Eileen Collins
Space Shuttle Mission STS-95:
John Glenn's return to space
Skills and Abilities: 3.5 years experience in operation of 2.5 MeV Van de Graaff accelerator. Complete design and construction of apparatus to measure Curie temperatures, electrical resistivities, and magnetic permeabilities of amorphous metallic ribbons. Familiarity with numerous experimental equipment such as lock-in amplifier, vacuum systems, x-ray equipment, variable temperature cryostat, magnetic transition measurement, thermoluminescence and thermally stimulated current measurements, spectrophotometry of absorption in alkali halide single crystals, and differential scanning calorimetry. Extensive knowledge of manned space flight programs, both USA and USSR. General public speaking on physics, astronomy, dinosaur paleobiology, and space flight topics. Ten years experience in planetarium operation. Extensive amateur invertebrate fossil collecting in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Design and construction of effective, inexpensive laboratory and lecture demonstrations for the introductory undergraduate physics sequence (for science majors and engineers) and other distribution science courses.
Conferences, Workshops, and Short Courses Attended
1. A Radio View of the Universe (Chautauqua Short Course), held at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank, West Virginia from May 14-16, 1992. Instructed by Dr. George A. Seielstad and his staff.
2. Paleobiology of Dinosaurs (Chautauqua Short Course), held at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado from June 8-12, 1992. Instructed by Dr. J. M. Parrish of Northern Illinois University. Included field trip/field exercises at the Mygott-Moore quarry (Colorado), the Cleveland-Lloyd Allosaurus quarry (Utah), Dinosaur National Park (Utah), and the Vernal Field House (Utah).
3. Principles of Flight: Engineering & Historical Aspects (Chautauqua Short Course), held at the University of Dayton from June 17-19, 1992. Instructed by Dr. Peter J. Torvik. Included field trip to U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
4. NSF Teaching Enhancement Program on Applications of Science and Mathematics to Manufacturing, held at the Pennsylvania State University from June 22-27, 1992. Instructors were from the Penn State Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering and the the Physics Department.
5. 1992 Fall Meeting of the New England Section of the American Physical Society, held at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire on October 9-10, 1992.
6. The personalities of 20th Century Physicists: Their Interactions and Struggles (Chautauqua Short Course), held at the University of Dayton from March 22-24, 1993. Instructed by Dr. Max Dresden, Stanford University.
7. Elementary Particle Physics for Teachers of Introductory Physics Courses (Chautauqua Short Course), held at Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois from April 29 to May 1, 1993. Instructed by Dr. Suzanne Willis of NIU. Included a field trip to Fermi Lab.
8. Teaching Introductory Astronomy (Chautauqua Short Course), held at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia from May 17-19, 1993. Instructed by Dr. Gareth Wynn-Williams of the University of Hawaii.
9. Dino Fest '94, held at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana from April 24-26, 1994. Participating paleontologists included Dr. Jack Horner, Dr. Dale Russell, Dr. Philip Currie, Dr. John Ostrom, Dr. Robert Bakker, etc.
10. Inexpensive Interfacing of Undergraduate Laboratory Experiments (Chautauqua Short Course), held at the University of Dayton from May 11-13, 1994. Instructed by Dr. Rex L. Berney, University of Dayton Physics Department.
11. Unification Grand and Not So Grand, From Quantum Ideas to Cosmology, held at the University of Pittsburgh from May 19-21, 1994. Instructed by Dr. Max Dresden, Stanford University.
12. 1994 International Space Development Conference, held in Toronto, Canada from May 26-30, 1994. Included a number of important Apollo program engineers and project managers, as well as Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon.
13. 44th Wyoming Geology Field Conference, held in Casper, Wyoming from June 16-20, 1994. Included talks from Dr. Robert Bakker and Dr. Jack Horner, the former who also led (along with Drs. Kraig Derestier, Doug Nichols, Karl Oswald, and Kent Sundell) field trips/field exercises to the Alcova Lake and the Lance Formation (K/T boundary sampling) in Wyoming.
14. "Who Needs Magnetic Fields?" (Chautauqua Short Course), held at the National High magnetic Field Lab in Tallahassee, Florida from June 12-14, 1997. Instructed by NHMFL director Dr. Jack E. Crow.
15. Science in Cinema: Teaching Science Fact Through Science Fiction Films (Chautauqua Short Course), held at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from March 11-13, 1999. Instructed by Dr. Leroy W. Dubeck, Professor of Physics at Temple University.
Others Professional Activities:
1. PSU Science EXPO 1989, held at the Pennsylvania State University on April 8, 1989. Personally (along with Tania Slawecki, PSU polymer science Ph.D. candidate) displayed Apollo 11 and 17 moon rock displays on loan from Goddard Space Flight Center. Presented talks throughout the day to roughly 2500 visitors.
2. Completed certification in the Goddard Space Flight Center's Lunar Sample Education Project on November 12, 1993, becoming authorized to check out lunar samples for educational purposes.
3. Annular Solar Eclipse Public Viewing at the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapokoneta, Ohio on May 10, 1994.
4. Moon Walk '94, 25th Anniversary celebrations of Apollo 11 in Wapakoneta, Ohio held throughout the month of July, 1994.
5. STS-77 space shuttle launch in preferred viewing area at Kennedy Space Center. May 19, 1996.
6. Marshall Space Flight Center Open House, May 3, 1977. Participants were given extensive access to facilities, scientists, and astronauts normally not typically available to the general public.
7. Extensive examination of historic Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and Apollo-Soyuz Test Project manned spacecraft. See personal website at http://lyco2.lycoming.edu/dept/astr-phy/fisherpdg/index.html
for museum locations, descriptions, and spacecraft photographs. This work was partially funded by travel funds and professional development grants from Lycoming College.
8. STS-93 space shutte launch in preferred viewing area at Kennedy Space Center. July 23, 1999.