NASA CONNECTIONS

The collaboration of Seth McGowan, the President of the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory and Bryson Mariano of Saranac Lake, an enthusiastic Astronomy major at Stony Brook College represents a powerful partnership within NASA’s Eclipse Ambassador program, facilitated through the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. These two dedicated individuals are uniting their passion for astronomy and their unique expertise to make a significant impact in promoting the understanding of the upcoming eclipse on April 8, 2024 in Tupper Lake, “Totality in Tupper”.

Seth McGowan brings a wealth of experience and a strong local presence in the Adirondack region. The observatory’s facilities and outreach programs provide the perfect platform for engaging the local community and inspiring a love for astronomy. The partnership with Bryson Mariano bridges the gap between formal education and community outreach. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific’s affiliation with NASA’s Eclipse Ambassador program empowers individuals like McGowan and Mariano, providing them with the training, resources, and support they need to effectively communicate the wonders of the cosmos. Together, they aim to educate, inform, and inspire, shedding light on the mysteries behind eclipses and encouraging a sense of wonder and curiosity among people of all ages. 

Their collaboration is a shining example of how local and academic expertise can combine to foster a greater understanding of our universe. As they work through the Eclipse Ambassador program, they represent the power of grassroots engagement in scientific outreach, bringing the beauty of the night sky to their community and beyond, and encouraging others to look up and marvel at the wilderness above. 

For more than 25 years, the NASA Solar System Ambassadors program has been a public engagement effort that works with motivated volunteers across the nation to communicate the science and excitement of NASA's space exploration missions and discoveries with the people in their communities.

Originally called the Galileo Ambassador Program, the initiative was the idea of a New Hampshire teacher who suggested that NASA establish a coordinated program for volunteers across the country. The program grew quickly, and by 1999 the Solar System Ambassadors Program was launched with 145 volunteers.

Today, the Solar System Ambassadors Program has more than 1,100 dedicated volunteers reaching more than 11 million people through both live and online events in their communities.

From a local library in a small town in Iowa to a military base in Guam, volunteers share professionally-designed presentations based on the latest updates from scientists and engineers working at the leading edge of NASA’s solar system exploration.

The program’s wide-reaching local approach to sharing NASA’s dedicated efforts in space and science with the public has led to a deep impact among individuals and communities – particularly those not traditionally served by NASA.