Directory of Explore Alliance Ambassadors

Recent Inductees


Janet Ivy-Duensing	Robert Q. Fugate	Steve Siedentop	Ronald Brecher

Jump to Ambassador

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

The Ambassadors of the Explore Alliance are individuals who are enabling the general public to understand a deeper level of scientific literacy. We believe that through a greater understanding of science, society will be more enabled to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.

Explore Alliance Ambassador - Dr. Caitlyn Ahrens

Dr. Caitlin Ahrens
Goddard Space Flight Center - LRO
Dr. Ahrens is currently a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland and a member of the LRO Diviner Science Team, specifically looking at ice at the lunar poles.

J. Kelly Beatty
Science Journalist - Sky and Telescope Magazine
Award-winning science journalist and astronomer. Protector of dark skies...

Teresa Bippert-Plymate
Lecturer - Outreach

Retired professional solar astronomer, now devoted to educational outreach in astronomy...

Explore Alliance Ambassador - Adam Block

Adam Block
Astrophotographer - Lecturer - Outreach

Renowned for his astrophotography, he is known for his astrophotography workshops...

Shelley R. Bonus
Astronomer - Educator - Lecturer - Outreach

Shelley Bonus is an astronomical historian and lecturer, an award winning performer...

Explore Alliance Ambassador - Ronald Brecher

Dr. Ronald Brecher

Astrophotographer - Lecturer - Outreach

Renowned astrophotographer and image processor who has spent the last two decades capturing stunning images of the night sky. His journey to becoming an astrophotographer began with his daughter's tearful nights...

Cesar Brollo
Lecturer - Outreach

Based in Buenes Aires with Astronomia Saracco, Brollo is heavily involved in astronomy outreach throughout Argentina...

Zoe Chee
Lecturer - Outreach

Currently the interim Executive Director for Astronomers Without Borders, Zoe Chee has always had a passion for science and science education and enthusiasm for astronomy, volunteering with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada...

Dawn Davies
Educator - Lecturer - Outreach

Dawn Davies is an amateur astronomer, science communicator, educator, and lecturer with a passion in making astronomy accessible to all...

Stephen J. Edberg
JPL/NASA Planetary Scientist - Professional Astronomer

Edberg is a retired Scientist and professional Astronomer. Steve has also been a lifelong amateur astronomer, applying science to his works and educating the public about science in amateur astronomy

David Eicher - Editor in Chief of Astronomy Magazine

David J. Eicher
Editor - Author - Lecturer - Outreach

David Eicher is the Editor-in-Chief of Astronomy Magazine, a writer, a historian, a musician, and a popularizer of astronomy and space...

Fred Espenak
Eclipse Expert - Author - Lecturer - Outreach

Explore Alliance Ambassador Maxi Falieres

Maxi Falieres
Astrophotographer - Lecturer - Outreach

Andrew Fazekas
Personality - Author - Lecturer - Outreach

An astronomy columnist for National Geographic's online presence and a contributor for television and radio known as The Night Sky Guy, Andrew Fazekas is also the Communications Manager for Astronomers Without Borders...

Andrew Fraknoi
Scientist - Educator - Author - Lecturer - Outreach

Fraknoi is a scientist and educator, who specializes in explaining developments in astronomy to the public in everyday language. He also works with teachers, museum educators, and young astronomers to help them be more effective in doing space-science education and outreach.

Robert Q. Fugate

Starfire Optical Range - Air Force Research Laboratory

Dr. Fugate has been a trailblazer in the fields of atmospheric propagation physics, adaptive optics, and space surveillance. He is also an amazing amateur astrophotgrrapher.

Jean-Pierre Grootaerd
Lecturer - Outreach - Founder of SSVI

Founder of Stars Shine for Everyone (SSVI) a science program for children with disabilities and disadvantaged young people worldwide, and Science4Girls targeting countries where sound education, especially for girls, is not evident.

Carlos Hernandez M.D.

Author - Outreach - Lecturer - Space Artist - Planetary Expert

Carlos has primarily maintained the role of a visual observer, keenly observing the Moon, planets, and deep sky objects since the inception of his astronomical journey. Over the years, he has produced drawings and paintings—both traditional and digital—depicting what he has observed through the eyepiece. He has been fortunate to have his planetary observations published worldwide.

Explore Alliance Ambassadors - Donna and Donnie Houston

Donnie and Donna Houston
Educators - Outreach - Astrophotographer
Founders of Arkstar Astronomy an organization that is located in the heart of the Ozarks...

Jerry Hubbell
Science Imaging - Author - Outreach

VP of MSRO Science, Inc., Assistant Director of the Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) and VP Engineering for Explore Scientific...

Pranvera Hyseni
Lecturer - Outreach

A global science popularizer, and the Founder and Director of Astronomy Outreach of Kosovo...

Janet Ivey-Duensing
Author - Lecturer - Outreach

The American Astronautical Society’s 2022 Sally K Ride Excellence in Education Award winner and a member of the Board of Advisors for Above Space. Janet is also recognized as a NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador

Karim Jaffer

Lecturer - Outreach - Educator

Public Events Coordinator for the RASC Montreal Centre, Member of the National RASC Education and Public Outreach Committee, and a Member of the Reach Out and Touch Space Panel on AstroRadio UK...

John W. Johnson
Lecturer - Outreach

Serves on the board of directors for the Nebraska Star Party (NSP), Inc. He is the Director...

Mher Khachatryan
Lecturer - Outreach

Since 2015 Mher has been part of the Armenian amateur astronomy club, Goodricke JOHN NGO, actively participating in various stargazing events, and popularizing amateur astronomy, while running operations with his brother Vachik, of SpaceShop 42...

Vachik Khachatryan
Lecturer - Outreach

From his childhood Vachik was always curious about knowledge seeking as well as creating things with his hands, to see how the law of nature worked in action. A long-time member of Armenian Youth Aerospace Society he is currently operating a space research laboratory where he and his team are doing research in high altitude balloon platforms, CubeSats, and satellite onboard image processing projects, while running operations with his brother Mher, of SpaceShop 42...

Don Knabb

Outreach Educator - Lecturer

Don's passion for astronomy extends beyond organizational roles; he actively engages in outreach efforts. He teaches night school classes in beginner astronomy and participates in night sky observing events..

Explore Alliance Ambassador - Cari Letelier

Cari Letelier
Lecturer - Outreach - Night Astro Photographer

Explore Alliance Ambassador - David H. Levy

Dr. David H. Levy
Lecturer - Outreach - Author

Known for his comet discoveries and for his many books and articles on astronomers...

Simon Lewis
Lecturer - Outreach - Author

Vice President of the Canterbury Astronomical Society, one of oldest astronomical societies in the southern hemisphere...

Dr. Rosaly M. C. Lopes
Volcanologist - Lecturer - Author - Outreach

Recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal for Public Outreach, Rosaly Lopes is a planetary scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory...

Stephen Mallia
Lecturer - Astrophotographer - Outreach

President of the Mississauga Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and Founder of Ontario Telescope and Accessories...

Terry Mann
Lecturer - Astrophotographer - Outreach

A lifelong astronomer and astrophotographer, Terry Mann is a former two-time President of the Astronomical League. Terry's interest in the stars started with her earliest memories...

Alain Maury
Astrophotography - Lecturer - Outreach

Photographic scientist for the second Palomar Observatory sky survey, professional...

Mbonteh Roland Ndunge
Educator - Lecturer - Outreach

Founder the Astronomy Club of Cameroon, Mbonteh is a Physics and Mathematics teacher in secondary school, living on the outskirts of Cameroon's city, Kupe-muanenguba...

Jack Newton
Astrophotography - Lecturer - Author

Astronomer, best known for his publications and images in amateur astrophotography...

John O'Neal
Astrophotography - Lecturer - Outreach

John given countless presentations to the general public and to amateur and pro astronomers across the USA...

Michael Overacker
Astrophotography - Lecturer - Outreach

Since 2004, I have run an astronomy outreach program called Astronomy Mobile Outreach, through which I have presented 225+ outreach programs to over 12,000 people...

Charles Peek
Photographer - Storm Chaser - Outreach

Peek travels the country to capture video and still images of dramatic storms for the Weather Channel...

Tom Pickett
Astrophotography - Lecturer - Outreach

Manages one of the world's largest online astronomy clubs, the ‘Facebook Astronomy...

Claude Plymate
Solar Astronomer - Lecturer - Outreach

Telescope Engineer and Chief Observer for Big Bear Solar Observatory's 1.6 meter Telescope...

Egon Reich
Astronomer, Electronic Computer Engineer, and Astro photographer

Egon has worked on the 200" Hale Telescope located at the Palomar Observatory in California...

Stephen W. Ramsden
Solar Astronomer - Lecturer - Outreach

Ramsden is the Founder of the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project...

Jessica Santascoy
Lecturer - Outreach

NASA award-winning communications professional who specializes in engagement...

Felix Schlang
YouTube Channel Host - Outreach
Creator and Host of the "What About It?" channel, the largest YouTube channel in Germany about Space, Astronomy, and Science news...

Matthias Schmitt
Space Education Media - Lecturer - Outreach

Eclipse chaser, educator, outreach enthusiast, and Executive Producer of the award-winning animated kids STEM TV show Space Racers that is shown around the world in 35 different languages. Recipient of a NASA grant to educate the next generation of space explorers...

Dr. Shannon Schmoll
Lecturer - Outreach

Director of the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University, she also serves as chair of the International Planetarium Society’s education committee and sits on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee...

Dan Skoff
Chief Meteorologist - Lecturer - Outreach

The award winning Chief Meteorologist for KNWA, Dan Skoff is dedicated to educating the public about weather data interpretation.

Pamela Shivak
Lecturer - Outreach

Pamela Shivak is a social media astronomy, STEAM and outreach promoter. As a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador...

Dr. Seth Shostak

Senior Astronomer for the SETI Institute

Shostak has given lectures around the world, hosts SETI's weekly radio show/podcast Big Picture Science, has played himself numerous times in TV and internet film dramas, and has acted in several science fiction films.

Steve Siedentop
Astrophotographer - Outreach
Meet Steve Siedentop, whose journey into the world of amateur astronomy is a testament to the wonders of the night sky and the power of community.

Mike Simmons
Astronomer- Educator - Lecturer - Outreach
An astronomer for over 40 years, Simmons is formerly the Executive Director of Astronomers Without Borders...

Marcelo de Olivera Souza, DSc
Cosmologist - Physicist - Lecturer - Outreach
A professor of physics, Marcelo has organized many local and national astronomy and space exploration public educational outreach events, including the International Meeting of Astronomy and Astronautics held in Brazil each year.

Maruška Strah
Organizer-Mediator- Lecturer - Outreach
Passionate about space and space law, Maruška's interest deepened with her work with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Now the Executive Director for World Space Week, her mission is to protect global health and security in connection to space.

Dr. Fiorella Terenzi
Astrophysicist - Author - Musician - Outreach
Dr. Terenzi pioneered techniques to convert radio waves emanating from distant galaxies into sound, and through this work she has made the cosmos more accessible to her students and the public at large...

Tim Thompson
Astronomer - Scientist - Lecturer - Outreach
Thompson is an award winning JPL scientist, astronomer, and outreach icon. In addition to being on the Board of Trustees for the Mt. Wilson Institute, he often serves as Session Director of the observatory's telescopes.

Greg Turner
Astronomer - Homeschool Educator
Astronomer, outreach enthusiast, and homeschool educator with a deep interest in science...

John Unkovich
Lecturer - Outreach

Founded the Columbia Astronomers. Established in 2011, the astronomy club...

Dr. Constance E. Walker
Scientific - Outreach

Scientist at NOAO who specializes in education and public outreach...

Mike Weasner
Author - Lecturer - Outreach

A champion of dark skies, Weasner has devoted the better part of his life towards educational outreach in astronomy and dark sky preservation...

Vivian White
Lecturer - Outreach

The Director of Free-Choice Learning at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in San Francisco, Vivian White is known worldwide for her work in astronomy outreach....

Explore Alliance Ambassadors