Explore the Cosmos: Malibu Library Speaker Series Welcomes Planetarium Director
The Malibu Library Speaker Series will host Derrick Pitts, the Chief Astronomer and Planetarium Director of the Fels Planetarium, at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on Tuesday, August 13, at 7:00 p.m. The event will take place in the Civic Theater at Malibu City Hall.
Derrick Pitts has been with the Franklin Institute since 1978, where he has designed and presented numerous public programs and exhibits. He has also served as a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2009. Derrick’s motto is “Eat, breathe, do science. Sleep later.”
He regularly appears in the media as a science content expert, including appearances on the Colbert Report and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. For more than two decades, Derrick has hosted award-winning astronomy radio programs for Philadelphia’s two public radio stations and created signature astronomy television programming for PBS. One of the highlights of Derrick’s career was meeting President Obama and his family when he was invited to participate in the first-ever White House Star Party.
During his presentation, Pitts will explore the intriguing field of astrobiology and guide the audience through the search for Earth-like planets in the galaxy. He will address the potential discovery of an Earth twin and pose questions about humanity’s ultimate goals in this search, whether it is to find a new home or to answer fundamental existential questions.
Malibu City Hall is located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu. The event is free, but RSVPs are required.
For more information and to RSVP, visit MalibuCity.org/LibrarySpeakers.