John A. Ball (Algorithms...RPN Calcs) Sighting

[Matt Agajanian]

Hi all.

I think that’s him!

I was watching Ancient Aliens premiere season ep. “The Mission.” At about the 1h16m mark into the show, the narrator brings up The Zoo Hypothesis and its author John A. Ball with archive footage of Mr. Ball at work (with a full beard!). The show then cuts to a one minute explanation given by John A. Ball himself of The Zoo hypothesis. The narrator gives the credential, “MIT Astrophysist, John Ball.”

Looking at the title page of Algorithms For RPN Calculators, under his name is the text
Center For Astrophysics
Cambridge, Massachussettes

Is this the same John A Ball?

[smartin]

Yes, that's him.

Regrettably:

notice of his death