34 Facts About Andrew Fraknoi

Andrew Fraknoi was born on 1948 and is a retired professor of astronomy recognized for his lifetime of work using everyday language to make astronomy more accessible and popular for both students and the general public.

In 2017 Fraknoi retired from his position as Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Foothill College.

Andrew Fraknoi is the recipient of numerous awards and honors in his field.

Andrew Fraknoi continues to serve on the board of trustees of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, a scientific and educational organization.

Andrew Fraknoi is an elected Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, an Honorary Member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

Andrew Fraknoi has a special interest in debunking astrology and other pseudosciences connected to astronomy.

Andrew Fraknoi entered his first American school at age 11, unable to speak English.

Andrew Fraknoi graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1966.

Andrew Fraknoi held the position of Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Foothill College from 1992 to 2017.

Andrew Fraknoi taught astronomy and physics at other institutions including San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, Canada College, and several campuses of the University of California Extension Division.

Andrew Fraknoi served as the executive director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific from 1978 to 1992, edited its popular magazine "Mercury", both expanding circulation and reaching out to lay people as well as teachers.

Andrew Fraknoi is the founder and was director of "Project ASTRO", which sets up partnerships between volunteer astronomers and 4th-9th grade teachers; each astronomer "adopts" one classroom for a year, visits at least four times, and works with the teacher to do hands-on activities in astronomy.

Andrew Fraknoi is recognized for both his multi-dimensional approach, and his innovation, in making astronomy more accessible to all.

Andrew Fraknoi created and offered various other courses for non-science majors.

In 2007 Andrew Fraknoi was the narrator for Gustav Holst's "The Planets" for the California Symphony Orchestra, a role he repeated with the Peninsula Symphony in 2017.

Andrew Fraknoi holds a long-time interest in astronomically correct science fiction, which he uses in his teaching and writing.

Andrew Fraknoi has compiled an extensive resource with examples of scientifically accurate science fiction.

Andrew Fraknoi is a science fiction author in his own right with eight published stories: for example, two in the magazine Sci Phi Journal, one in the online magazine Flash Fiction, and two in science fiction anthologies.

Since 1999, Andrew Fraknoi has organized and moderated the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series where noted astronomers from around California and the nation give nontechnical public talks on new developments in our exploration of the universe in the large Smithwick Theater at Foothill College.

Andrew Fraknoi has served on the board of trustees of the SETI Institute, a scientific and educational organization devoted to the search for life in the universe, since its inception in 1985.

Andrew Fraknoi is the author or co-author of 14 books in the field of astronomy.

Andrew Fraknoi was the lead author of Voyages through the Universe, an introductory college astronomy textbook published by Brooks-Cole, which went through three editions.

Andrew Fraknoi edited two collections of resources for K-12 teachers, The Universe at Your Fingertips and More Universe at Your Fingertips published through the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Andrew Fraknoi is the co-author of the richly illustrated 2017 children's book about eclipses "When the Sun Goes Dark", that came out just ahead of the North American solar eclipse in August 2017.

Andrew Fraknoi frequently writes articles on interdisciplinary topics, such as using music, poetry, or science fiction to teach science.

Andrew Fraknoi has published a list of science fiction stories using good astronomy, as well as a resource guide to music inspired by astronomy.

Andrew Fraknoi has been a frequent radio, television and podcast guest explaining astronomical developments in everyday language.

Andrew Fraknoi has given over 400 public lectures on topics ranging from the death of stars to the origin of the universe.

Andrew Fraknoi has been the recipient of many notable awards throughout his career.

In March 2019, Andrew Fraknoi was awarded the 2019 Space Educator: Lifetime Achievement Award from The National Space Club, a prestigious award that recognizes people for significant contributions to space-science education.

Andrew Fraknoi was presented with the award at the 62nd Annual Goddard Memorial Dinner on March 22,2019.

Andrew Fraknoi was elected a Legacy Fellow of the American Astronomical Society in 2020.

Andrew Fraknoi has demonstrated, through a lifetime of work, his commitment to advancing public understanding of astronomy and science using everyday language.

Andrew Fraknoi was quoted on receipt of the award, "I too try to encourage students and the public to examine claims at the fringes of science with skepticism and fact-based thinking".