Dr. Howell has written over 800 scientific publications, numerous popular and technical articles, and has authored and edited ten books on astronomy and astronomical instrumentation. Howell has edited and written two science fiction books related to exoplanets and space travel. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area with his partner Sally and enjoys scientific challenges, the great outdoors, vegetarian gourmet cooking, and playing blues music. And yes, he still considers Pluto to be a planet.