Dava Sobel
Last Sunday, during the question-and-answer session following my talk at the Shelter Island Historical Society, someone pointed out that the Longitude Problem had been solved during the Age of Reason at a time of great discovery — but that now we seem to be entering an age of un-reason and un-discovery. (This event followed a certain governor’s remarkably uninformed remarks about Galileo.)
“What can be done?” my commenter wanted to know.
It was too big a question for a simple answer, but I suggested we all try to share what we know. Later it struck me that I already belong to a volunteer group trying to share knowledge about the planets.: NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors Program, which is recruiting new members this month for year-long terms beginning January 1.
Kay Ferrari, who administers the program from her office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, especially seeks candidates
from states with only a few active Ambassadors: Alaska, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii (Kauai), Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. (New York has 23.)
You need not be an astronomer or own a telescope to apply. Kay herself comes from a theater background. When I asked her what constitutes “right stuff” for an Ambassador, she said, “The chief criterion is wanting to make a difference in the lives of others…and then doing it. We are one huge family of like-minded people. Sure, we all love space exploration, but our love of sharing the best of ourselves is what makes the program work so well.”
Once accepted, Ambassadors can listen in on teleconferences in which scientists and engineers explain specific space missions. The program also gives Ambassadors materials for making their own presentations to groups of interested adults or children. Former Ambassador Sister Clarice Lolich, who died in 2009 at age 90, made a specialty of talking about planetary science to the inmates of women’s prisons near her home in Palo Alto. “She brought small NASA handout items with her for the women to give their children and grandchildren when they visited,” Kay recalls. “She wanted them to pass along the inspiring message of space exploration as well.”
In a program first this year, two Solar System Ambassadors are getting married — to each other — on 11-11-11.
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Thank you for writing this article. Being a Solar System Ambassador is one of the voices of NASA in space Exploration. There is so much going on out there and our role is important. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words concerning the SSA program. I have participated in this for several years. It has been a privilege to be able to communicate the awesome work of scientists with the various space science missions to our local folks. Kay Ferrari has been an inspirational, knowledgeable, and strong leader! Even after teaching science to middle school students for 30 years, the SSA program helps us excite students and adults in all areas of scientific research!
Thank you for writing this very nice article. I just became a Solar System Ambassador this past year and am enjoying it very much.
I live in RI, so I’m hoping to catch your book tour stop in Mystic, CT in November. Good luck with your upcoming adventures!
I do hope to see you in Mystic. Please introduce yourself as a fellow Ambassador.
Dava strikes gold again with her words. But words and deeds are remarkably different for most people, however this is not the case with the SSAs. Although one does not need to own a telescope, it sure helps to have your own stable of scopes and mounts. Being an SSA since 2004 has enabled me to define my personal mission statement following retirement from the military. My personal mission can be found at my website http://www.astrodad.com. Enjoy. Eva you shall be richly rewarded for your good works. I grew up in Westerly and have a friend, Sadie DeVore who is a Mystic artist. Enjoy the Fall in New England….max
Hello Ms Sobel,
I have read your books – Longitude is my favorite – and look forward to reading your new book.
With Kay’s permission I will circulate her comments on my Space Group blog.
Best Wishes,
Merle Hanley SSA
Dava:
When I realized that the lives of so many across the country, especially students, were positively influenced because of the SSA program I was filled with a sense of accomplishment and purpose that caused me to switch careers. Kay says it all; the program makes a difference in the lives others and Kay, and the program, have made a huge difference in my life as well. Good luck with your book tour!
Thanks for telling others about what Kay and the SSA team do. As one of the SSA team since 1996 as a Galileo Ambassador that became SSA, I have four monthly astronomy programs at the local public library, write a weekly astronomy column for the local newspaper, and am the main space missions/astronomy connections professional development provider for our local school district. Solar System Ambassadors have opened doors to the universe for literally thousands of people in my area, and hundreds of thousands in the nation. Thanks for putting Kay in your spotlight…she works tirelessly in the background helping others to shine….
I have enjoyed thoroughly being an ambassador in a small town in NE Arkansas. BTW, this couple getting married on 11/11/11, my 54th birthday will be 11/11/11, at 26 minutes after 11:11:11 PM. (I guess we ambassadors love numbers, being in astronomy!)