Authentic Voices. Important Topics.

Dr. Phil Plait
Bad Astronomy

For as long as he can remember, Dr. Phil Plait has been in love with science.

"When I was maybe four or five years old, my dad brought home a cheapo department store telescope. He aimed it at Saturn that night. One look, and that was it. I was hooked," he says.

After earning his doctorate in astronomy at the University of Virginia, he worked as a NASA contractor at the Goddard Space Flight Center, working with the Hubble Space Telescope. Dr. Plait began a career in public outreach and education with the 'Bad Astronomy' website and blog, debunking bad science and popular misconceptions. The book Bad Astronomy was released in 2002, to be followed in 2008 by Death From The Skies!

Dr. Plait has given dozens of talks about science and pseudo-science across the US and internationally. He uses images, audio, and video clips in an entertaining and informative multimedia presentation packed with humor and backed by solid science and critical thinking.

He has spoken at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, the Space Telescope Science Institute (home of Hubble), the Hayden Planetarium in NYC and many other world-class museums and planetaria, conferences, astronomy clubs, colleges & universities, and community groups. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Pax TV, Tech TV, the SciFi Channel, Radio BBC, Air America, NPR, and many other television and internet venues. The Bad Astronomy website receives more than 6 million hits per year and received the 'Best Science Blog' Weblog award in 2007. His writing has appeared in Sky and Telescope, Astronomy magazine, Night Sky magazine, Space.com, Maxim, the Skeptical Inquirer, and the Huffington Post, and more.

Bad Astronomy

In this general discussion of popular science myths, Dr. Plait demolishes a wide array of scientific misconceptions, from standing eggs on end, to blowing up asteroids. Using video clips from several blockbuster movies and television shows including "Armageddon", "Deep Impact", "Enterprise", and "The Simpsons", he talks about Hollywood science (or the lack thereof).

The Moon Hoax Hoax

Dr. Plait gleefully tears apart the 'evidence' that NASA faked the Apollo Moon missions.

In The Beginning

A dissection of young-Earth creationist claims about the age of the Earth and the Universe, and why they are wrong. Dr. Plait takes an unflinching look at some of the deceptions and lies told by proponents of a young Earth.

The Response

"Phil did an outstanding job.... The lecture was accessible to students in all disciplines. In fact, the underlying message was one of critical analysis of claims that the listeners would encounter throughout their lives. Some of my students sought me out afterwards to tell me that this was the best lecture we'd had."

Gordon Hammerle
Professor
Adrian College

"There was literally standing room only in the Auditorium. We don't often get such a huge crowd for our Noon Talks! As scientifically accurate as it was, (it) still was the most entertaining we've had in a very long time."

Lucy Albert
Office of Public Outreach
Space Telescope Science Institute

"(Phil Plait's) Moon Hoax presentation drew the largest crowd of teachers we have had to our Center in over three years.... We even had a waiting list and had to turn disappointed teachers away.... Presenting as a guest lecturer at a NASA Center for scientists and engineers is not the easiest task. (He) was humorous and enjoyable, yet scientifically accurate; this is what the Dryden Center staff appreciated the most. The multimedia presentation...was not only professional and interesting, but was delivered without a hitch. It captured everyone in the room."

Tami Simmons
NASA Dryden ERC Manager

"Phil Plait's absolute love and obsession with space science is apparent in all of his talks, but his down to earth style make him accessible for people of all ages and interest levels. His enthusiasm and energy make him a favorite with children, and his sharp wit and wide breadth of knowledge keep adult audiences glued to their seats. Phil Plait was one of the best speakers we had in our 2007 lecture season!"

Angela Torretta
Public Relations Manager
Turtle Bay Exploration Park

"Phil Plait is a gifted speaker, writer, and presenter. At his session, conference attendees fill the room, sit on the floor when there are no chairs left on which to sit, and stand outside the door if the room is full in order to hear the message Phil has to convey. He not only presents valuable information, but he also promotes thoughtful listening and provokes critical thinking in his audience. Phil Plait is a presenter/speaker extraordinaire."

Sharon Janulaw
President-Elect
California Science Teachers Association

To book this speaker, call (206) 529-4711 or email info@samaralectures.com