Utah astronomer logs 4,500 nights studying the sky

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Patrick Wiggins, a Utah astronomer, recently logged his 4,500th night studying the sky.

Wiggins has made plenty of discoveries like asteroids and nine confirmed supernovas.

Wiggins is also a NASA solar system ambassador; he hopes to inspire future generations.

STANSBURY PARK, Tooele County — It's safe to say Patrick Wiggins isn't a morning person.

"On a good night, get to bed around 6 in the morning, get up mid-afternoon," said Wiggins.

Of course, when you do what he does, he needs a night sky to work.

"The clearer, the darker, the better," he said.

Wiggins is often found at the Stansbury Park Observatory Complex in Stansbury Park near Tooele.

Using telescopes and instruments, he scans the sky, tracking things and looking for objects others have never seen before. Re