Solar System Ambassador
The Solar System Ambassadors (SSA) program works with motivated volunteers across the nation to share the latest science and discoveries of NASA's missions through a variety of events that inspire their communities.
My long interest in astronomy and space exploration has become a lot more interesting and meaningful. My friend, Dava Sobel, knowing my interest in these topics, suggested that I apply to be a Solar System Ambassador, which is a program run by NASA and JPL. I took her advice and went through a pretty specific submission process. Thanks to the good word that all of my references gave to the selecting committee, I was accepted.
I appreciate that one of the many benefits is to get first hand knowledge on all the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and NASA information that is made available to us Solar System Ambassadors (SSA). On this page I list all of the projects I am participating in, as well as a link to my Science and Music blog. It’s refreshing to look a little further outside of ourselves and our daily lives to contemplate what lies beyond our planet. Science and astronomy is for everyone with an open mind and curiosity. If curiosity is lacking then they should just end it here and now because they are ruining life as we know it. Just kidding - I hope to share my fascination of our Solar System and beyond with anyone curious and interested. Visit the Science and Music Blog |
Latest activities
Jazz@stronomy
Marc Wagnon is leading this new project which combines music and astronomy. This will be a planetarium show with live music. Assisted with astronomer Irene Pease, and accompanied by Wayne Lopes, Van Manakas & Hamish Smith
Past Events
Volunteering at the Open Door Weekend at JPL in Pasadena, CA
From Galileo to The James Webb Space Telescope
September 29, 2022 at 6pm
The Lower Eastside Girls Club
402 East 8th Street New York, NY 10009
September 14 at 6:30 pm
House of the Redeemer
7 East 95TH ST New York, NY 10128
WEBB Space Telescope First Light
WEBB Space Telescope First Light (stream this event on Youtube)
Current and future missions to the asteroids
Platteclove Gallery
6/13/2022
An Expedition of the Skies
Science Adventure Kids
8/2/2019
Moon Exploration
New York Public Library Roosevelt Island Branch
7/11/2019
Apollo Moon Missions
Filomen d'Agostino Greenberg Music School for the Visually Impaired
9/28/2019
A Celebration of International Moon Day
Platteclove Gallery
10/12/2019
September 29, 2022 at 6pm
The Lower Eastside Girls Club
402 East 8th Street New York, NY 10009
September 14 at 6:30 pm
House of the Redeemer
7 East 95TH ST New York, NY 10128
WEBB Space Telescope First Light
WEBB Space Telescope First Light (stream this event on Youtube)
Current and future missions to the asteroids
Platteclove Gallery
6/13/2022
An Expedition of the Skies
Science Adventure Kids
8/2/2019
Moon Exploration
New York Public Library Roosevelt Island Branch
7/11/2019
Apollo Moon Missions
Filomen d'Agostino Greenberg Music School for the Visually Impaired
9/28/2019
A Celebration of International Moon Day
Platteclove Gallery
10/12/2019
Any suggestion or question about this program, please contact me
A ‘musicomentary’ combining a concert by the early music ensemble Galileo’s Daughters with narration (some of which was filmed in the House of Redeemer’s 17th-century library), video and music to illustrate a remarkable moment in history that intersects science, human thought and music.
This event will feature a viewing of the new film as well as a presentation by Dava Sobel about Galileo, a Music Performance and short talk about the Webb Space Telescope |
A Fun Video Building a new Telescope
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It's a lot of fun, but it did take more time that thought, but thanks to the amazing outdoor workshop in the backyard of my good friend Jake, we where able to finish it. The first light look promising. This design is based on the book "Build your Own Telescope" by Richard Berry.
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Now how cool is that:
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3D printing of the Apollo Moon Landing site!
I am giving a talk for a group of visually impaired students, and for the past two months I've attempted to print part of the Moon surface, and had almost given up until my good friend architect Fred Levrat of ARX New York came to the rescue. |