Gary T. Nowak was born in 1955 in Springfield, VT. His interest in astronomy perhaps like most amateur astronomers began in his early teens. In 1968 his parents purchased a 3" (76 mm) F/15 Refractor of dismal quality (although not noticed at the time) as a Christmas present. The telescope despite its flaws was able to show several astronomical objects in the then un - light - polluted skies of Cavendish, VT. In that same year he made his first recorded observations.

After attending his first Stellafane Convention in 1970, he joined the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) and made planetary observations for them. The dismal quality of his telescope eventually contributed to his interest in telescope making. During that year he started work grinding his first mirror a 6" (150mm) F/8.3 for a Newtonian Telescope. The project was finished 2 years later.

He received his BA degree in History from the University of Vermont in 1977. In 1978 he joined the Vermont Astronomical Society (VAS) and served continuously in various club positions through the years. The next year he joined the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) and made variable star observations.

In subsequent years, he served a term in the VT Army National Guard as a 1st Lieutenant of a Tank Platoon.

He was elected president of the VAS in March 1984 and served in that capacity until May 1987.

During the return of Halley's Comet (1985-1986) he participated in the International Halley's Watch Program (IHW). After Halley's Comet (P/Halley 1982 i ) his astronomical interest shifted to searching for new comets, novae, and supernovae. His specialization has evolved into binocular searches for astronomical discoveries.

In 1993 he gained an AS degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Vermont Technical College. Success with his 1st telescope mirror led to his lifelong interest in telescope optics, mirror making, and telescope building. He is co-instructor of the VAS mirror making and telescope building classes that have been conducted for some number of years.

He independently discovered Nova Aquilae 1999 No. 2 while sweeping the Milky Way with binoculars. Ultimately the nova discovery became the brightest nova visible in the Northern Hemisphere Skies since 1975. He received the AAVSO Nova Award for his discovery.

The author currently resides in Essex Jct. VT and is single. He worked for the IBM Corporation for 17 years, and is currently actively seeking new employment. In spite of the frequently cloudy skies in Vermont, he maintains an active search program.