Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff will dedicate a memorial to astronomer Robert Burnham, Jr. on Saturday, August 15.

Robert Burnham, Jr.

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Almost 12 years ago -- in September, 1997 -- it was Phoenix NewTimes that shocked astronomers around the world with news that Burnham had died four years earlier and almost no one knew it.

Burnham was famous for his 2,000-page, three-volume guide to the heavens titled
Burnham's Celestial Handbook, which, to this day, is very popular with telescope-users around the world.

Some years ago, we were enjoying a glass of wine with a buddy outside at the Biltmore Fashion Park when Wayman Tisdale came walking our way.

We knew Mr. Tisdale from his days as a Phoenix Suns forward (1994-97), when the former University of Oklahoma great was known as a fierce rebounder on the court and a gentle giant when the game ended.

We also knew of the big guy's highly successful post-NBA career as a smooth-jazz bass player with a nice feel for R&B-tinged tunes such as Earth,Wind and Fire's "Can't Hide Love."

That's not to say, however, that we were huge fans of his musical genre, the kind of stuff you generally hear on KYOT here in Phoenix.

As he neared our table, one of us felt oddly compelled to say something to the effect of, "Hey, Wayman, man, when are you going to get deeper with the music?"