Astrobiology researcher, writer and educator.
<p>David Grinspoon is an award winning author and astrobiologist who studies the possible conditions for life on other planets. He is Curator of Astrobiology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and Adjunct Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University of Colorado. He is co-investigator on several current interplanetary missions. Recently he was selected to be the first Chair of Astrobiology at the United States Library of Congress, a one year appointment during which he will be researching and writing a book about the human influence on Earth, seen in cosmic perspective. In awarding him the 2006 Carl Sagan Medal for Public Communication of Planetary Science, the American Astronomical Society noted that “like Sagan in his time, Grinspoon is nearly unique in making science truly hip.” His first book, <em>Venus Revealed</em> was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist. His 2004 book, <em>Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy of Alien Life</em> won the PEN Center USA Literary Award for Research Nonfiction. Entertainment Weekly called <em>Lonely Planets </em>“proof that life on this planet is both intelligent <em>and</em> funny.” Grinspoon’s popular writing has appeared in <em>Slate</em>, <em>Scientific American</em>, <em>Natural History</em>, <em>The Sciences</em>, <em>Astronomy, Seed, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times and Sky & Telescope </em>where he is a contributing editor and writes the monthly “Cosmic Relief” column. </p>