My observations, I believe, were not different from others of my generation. At about twelve, I started using a small refractor to observe objects Messier's, NGC's and major planets. I made regular meteor observations between 81 to about the end of 1992, developing projects specially confirming "unusual meteor showers" and possible discoveries done by other amateurs in Latin America.

Presently, I am more directed to the observation of comets; interest that started in 1981 when observing the comet "Austin (1982 g = C/1982 M1)". In those days, information on this segment were lot more difficult to obtain, my resource was "Sky & Telescope" arriving here (in Brazil) with a delay of more than 30 days ! Years later, I was able to receive information from the I.A.G. Astronomical Institute with access to IAUC's which arrived faster. Then in 1993, with their quality I made an annual subscription.

In early 1995 I was able to receive the efemeris, news, and also through the e-mail send my observations of the comets to Morris comet-page, the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) and International Comet Quarterly (ICQ). My observations are sent by e-mail to CBAT and are published in the IAUC's and specialized home pages.

In all these years, I used a large variety of different observation instruments: small refractors, binoculars, Maksutovs, Schimidt-Cassegrains, and a large cassegrain reflector of 0.50... 0.60-m f/12... Now I concentrate in using three equipments, a 0.27-m f/5 dobs., 11x80 binocular and a equatorial germanic mount; this last to registrate comets & meteor showers.

My secondary activity is the visual comet hunting with telescope and binoculars. This started in 1989 after several contacts with Don Machholz (recognized comet hunter) who helped me with my first steps in this area, teaching me part of his extensive knowledge on this subject. Between 1995 and 1998, using my methodology and considering the local conditions, I spent 220 hours observing, of these, 62% in the mornings. I swept to mag. 11.9 with a 0,23-m reflector at 36x (1.3 field degree) and the 11x80 binoculars, until to mag. 10.5 (4.5 field degree).

Mainly I have used two observation points, one is my house located in Campinas, and the other is a site located about 35 km from where I live in a district called "Joaquim Egidio", 1300 meters (3900 feet) above sea level.

Since January 1993 I worked as the International "Comet Quarterly observation" coordinator of Brazil. During these years, by request of CBAT, I have been confirming (or not) the discovery of new comets before the official release. I have sent my reports to other entities like the "ALPO", BBA's comet section and The Astronomer (TA). Regionally (Latin America) I have helped several observers in the observation of comets, performing workshops in local congress, and have obtained good results with new amateurs, with good technical level and development. I also worked as a coordinator observer for "LIADA" (Liga Iberoamericana de Astronomia / Ibero American Astronomical Liege) and the "REA" (Rede de Astronomia Observacional - Astronomical Observation Network) in Brazil. This is a brief outline of my experience in this area.

I am a private attorney, mainly as a company consultant. My others non astronomical intersts are: trips, typical music, cooking (regional foods), a good fishing, archeology and exploration - with attention to Andes culture (Bolivia and Peruvian's) - Tiwanaku and Inca Astronomy.

During my recents trips in Europe in last June 1997 and September 1998, I visited the ICQ coordinators in Portugal and Spain. See photos of various ICQ observation coordinators!