Tom Mangelsdorf lives in Wasilla, Alaska. He has been an astronomer for 52 years. In that time he has served as a member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers, contributing to the understanding of variable stars and their place in stellar evolution. In 2012 he turned his attention to the Sun and now contributes observations and analysis to the CV-Helios world-wide solar observing network and the Solar Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers. Tom has served as a public speaker in classrooms K-12 since the 1990's. Tom also participates in star parties and other public gatherings realated to astronomy and the exploration of space.