I am a scientist, teacher, and writer with particular expertise in the fields of observational astrophysics and galactic astronomy. My research focuses on the causes and consequences of massive star formation in galaxies -- including our own Milky Way galaxy. I have spent much of my career working as a developer and advocate of space science education programs for all ages and abilities. Having spent more than 20 years in higher education, I am currently teaching high-school physics and astronomy courses in my hometown of Rockport, Massachusetts. When not teaching -- or contributing to the great cause of science education in other ways -- I enjoy writing general-interest articles and books on various scientific topics. I am especially proud of Galaxies and the Cosmic Frontier (Harvard University Press) which I wrote with my mentor and colleague Paul Hodge and of The Milky Way -- An Insider's Guide (Princeton University Press) which is my first solo book. I am currently writing Astronomy -- A Beginner's Guide (OneWorld Publishers). Meanwhile, please check out The Galactic Inquirer -- an online journal on all things galactic (including you and me!) that I co-founded and co-edit.
I am available for occasional lectures and consultations -- mostly during the summer months when school is out.
I can be reached at <williamhwaller "at" gmail "dot" com>.
My full curriculum vitae is available here, and a much briefer biography is available here.