Billy Teets

Billy Teets is the director of Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory and the resident astronomer at Vanderbilt University.12 He earned his B.S. in Physics from Austin Peay State University in 2004 and his Ph.D. in (astro)physics from Vanderbilt University in 2012.2 Teets has worked at Dyer Observatory for over 14 years and was promoted to director in December 2020, taking over from longtime director Rocky Alvey.1

As director, Teets is responsible for:

1. Engaging the community in astronomy through monthly public events, including Telescope Nights, Open Houses, lectures, and concerts2
2. Leading summer science camps and field trip groups2
3. Delivering science content to outside groups, businesses, and area schools2
4. Developing and maintaining exhibits at the observatory2
5. Overseeing maintenance and preservation of the observatory's astronomical equipment2

Teets also collaborates with Vanderbilt's physics and astronomy department and teaches introductory astronomy classes.2 His promotion to director was seen as a way to advance Vanderbilt's mission through community engagement with an academic focus at Dyer Observatory.1