Dr. Daniel Caton

Dr. Dan Caton (Caton rhymes with “Dayton”) grew up in Tampa, Florida. He earned bachelor's degrees in astronomy and physics and a master's degree in astronomy from the University of South Florida. He later earned a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Florida. After graduation, he took a position at Appalachian State University, where he eventually became a tenured full professor of physics and astronomy and director of observatories. 

His area of expertise is in the study of eclipsing binary stars — pairs of stars that orbit each other. Such binary star systems include most of the stars in our galaxy — the single stars like our sun are the exceptions. His other work includes observations of stars occulted by asteroids. As the founding chapter leader of the North Carolina Chapter of Dark Sky International, Caton works to reduce light pollution in the state. He is also a member of the American Astronomical Society's light pollution committee. 

Caton works to debunk pseudoscience and at the same time investigates claims of the paranormal in such phenomena as the Brown Mountain Lights, having appeared on specials on Discovery Kids, the Travel Channel and the National Geographic Channel. He also had a cameo part in the movie “Alien Abduction” and a part in a documentary, “I Saw the Light,” directed by Garrett Martin and available on Amazon Prime. He was a contributor of op-ed columns to the Charlotte Observer from 1996 to 2007. 

Caton is married to Susan and has twins — son Ashton and daughter Celeste — who both graduated from App State.

Areas of expertise

• Any aspect of astronomy or celestial events in the news
• The Brown Mountain Lights
• Light pollution (ground based and the new problem of constellations of internet satellites)
• The effects of artificial light at night on human health
• The loss of the dark night sky