Astronomy@250 brings together astronomers, historians, educators, museum professionals, science communicators, technologists, artists, and astronomy enthusiasts for a three-day virtual exploration of how humanity’s relationship with the cosmos has evolved — and where curiosity, discovery, and exploration may take us next.
More than a traditional scientific meeting, Astronomy@250 is designed as a connected series of conversations spanning astronomy’s deep cultural and historical roots, the people and institutions that shaped discovery, the technologies that changed how we see the Universe, and the possibilities and responsibilities of the next 250 years.
- Join internationally recognized astronomers, educators, historians, museum professionals,
and science communicators - Contribute to community-led conversations and workshops that connect astronomy with
history, culture, education, technology, and society - Build new collaborations across research, education, engagement, and informal learning
- Be part of a commemorative ASP conference proceedings documenting Astronomy@250
Regular Conference Registration is $195 through August 29 - Recordings of all sessions included!
Scholarships are available! We do not want registration fees to be a barrier to participation. Click here to learn more
Astro Society Supporter Level Members get a 10% discount.
If you are a current Supporter Level Member you have been sent a separate email with a discount code. Not a Supporter Level member yet? Join the Astro Society Today!
FREE Public Event: Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Dr. Nancy Grace Roman
Click the image above to register for this free panel and mark your calendar for
Thursday, August 27, 5pm PT/8pm ET
Invited Speakers
Astronomy@250 features an extraordinary community of scientists, historians, educators, communicators, museum professionals, and visionaries, including:
- Dr. France Córdova, Science Philanthropy Alliance
- Dr. Meg Urry, Yale University
- Dr. Rachael Beaton, Space Telescope Science Institute
- Dr. Linda Shore, Astro Society
- Ms. Jessica Harris, Owner & Founder of Jessica A. Harris LLC/Auntie Jess Mentoring
- Dr. Ronald Gamble, Jr., NASA/Goddard Spaceflight Center
- Ms. Ka‘iulani Murphy, University of Hawai’i
- Dr. Hilding Neilson, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Ms. Yasmin Catricheo, Associated Universities Inc
- Ms. Jameeka Marshall, University of California, Santa Cruz
- Dr. KeShawn Ivory, Vanderbilt University
- Dr. Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, University of California, Santa Cruz; Astro Society Board President
- Dr. Emily Rice, City University of New York
- Dr. Raquell Holmes, Sonoma State University
- Dr. Jennifer Wiseman, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
- Dr. Franck Marchis, Skymapper & Unistellar
- Mr. Bart Fried, Antique Telescope Society
- Dr. Kimberly Kowal Arcand, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
- Ms. Loretta Hidalgo Whitesides, Author and Astronaut
- Ms. Amy Imhoff, Astro Society
- Dr. Tom Rice, American Astronomical Society
- Mr. Mike Simmons, Astronomy for Equity
- Dr. Eric Mamajek, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Dr. Chris Impey, University of Arizona
- Dr. Rachel Freed, Las Cumbres Observatory
- Ms. Ashley Walker, Hampton University
- Dr. Samantha Thompson, National Air and Space Museum
- Mr. Andrew Johnston, Adler Planetarium
- Dr. Andrew Meade McGee, National Air and Space Museum
- Dr. Anne Holland, Space Science Institute
- Vivian White, Astro Society
- Dr. Dakotah Tyler, Dr. Starkid
- Dr. Katy Rodriguez Wimberly, CSU, San Bernardino; Astro Society Board VP
- Dr. David DeVorkin, National Air and Space Museum
Program Topics
Ancient Skies, New Nation - Indigenous knowledge systems and astronomy beyond 1776
People Who Changed Astronomy - The individuals, communities, and collaborations behind American accomplishments and discovery
Building the Tools of Discovery - Observatories, technology, and citizen science that change our understanding of the Universe
The Next 250 Years - Future discoveries, space exploration, and the evolving space economy
Teaching the Cosmos - Transforming astronomy education for a changing world
Visual Storyteller in Residence
Dr. Ronald Gamble, Jr. — Astronomy@250 Visual Storyteller in Residence
Throughout Astronomy@250, Dr. Ronald Gamble, Jr. will listen, observe, and respond creatively to the ideas, stories, tensions, and connections that emerge across the conference. As our Visual Storyteller in Residence, he will help weave the individual sessions into a larger narrative and bring his artistic perspective to the conference’s closing session — inviting us to reflect not simply on what we have heard, but on the story we are collectively telling about astronomy, humanity, and the future. He will be our closing speaker at Astronomy@250.
Official Audience Engagement Partner
StreamAlive — Official Audience Engagement Partner of Astronomy@250
Astronomy@250 is designed to be participatory rather than passive. Throughout the conference, StreamAlive will help attendees become active participants in the conversation through interactive questions, polls, discussion, and real-time engagement.
Sponsorship Information
Multiple tiers of sponsorship, plus in-kind sponsorship and scholarship funding opportunities, contain numerous benefits such as prominent logo placement, CEO shout-outs during panels and events, featured social media posts, and more.
To learn more, please contact our Director of Development, Karen Thomas Kolber, CFRE, at kkolber@astrosociety.org
Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
