Derrick Pitts

• Translates complex astronomical phenomena into compelling narratives highlighting both scientific significance and the awe-inspiring beauty of cosmic discoveries.
• He has made numerous television appearances, including  The Colbert Report, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Ed Show.
• Featured Science Contributor on CBS News and PBS NOVA.
• Named fellow of The Wagner Free Institute of Science
• President, Board of Directors of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, one of the nation’s leading astronomy advocate groups.
• Pitts illustrates how imagination, innovation, and discovery intersect to create new realities and new opportunities.
• 40+ years experience creating astronomy/space science exhibits and astronomy education outreach programs at one of the nation’s leading hands-on science museums, The Franklin Institute.

The New Universe
Thirty-five years ago, Hubble Space Telescope revealed a universe full of amazing phenomena, astronomical objects, and possibilities we never imagined. The images have been nothing short of stunning and have encouraged us to probe deeper to find out more about the origin, contents, processes, and fate of the cosmos. As we’ve discovered more, it’s also become harder to follow and integrate the many branches of astronomy exploration that have emerged: what’s out there, how is it organized, what makes exploding stars and black holes important, what makes us special, and perhaps the most compelling questions of all, how did it start and are we alone?