Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award
For outstanding outreach by an amateur astronomer to children and the public
The Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award, given for the first time in 2001, seeks to honor outstanding educational outreach by an amateur astronomer to K-12 children and the interested lay public.
Michael Overacker to receive the 2026 Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
Daly City, California - September 3, 2026 – Established by Wayne Rosing and Dorothy Largay, the Las Cumbres Amateur Outreach Award honors outstanding educational outreach by an amateur astronomer to K-12 children and the interested lay public. The 2026 award recipient is Michael Overacker, a retired Firefighter and professional photographer who is also an amateur astronomer. His passion for viewing the night sky extends beyond his personal enjoyment spending copious amounts of time sharing the universe with others.
Michael Overacker’s love for the night sky began in high school but his outreach journey began in 2004 with two events. He built his first telescope, a 15” f4.8 Truss Dobsonian that became his main telescope. He then purchased a 21- passenger bus that he converted into his recognizable Astronomy Mobile Outreach Vehicle or AMOV as it is fondly called. Overacker’s resulting astronomy program has allowed him to share not just his extensive knowledge of astronomy. A longtime colleague shares how he “personally attended some of Mike’s outreach sessions and always have come away impressed with his knowledge, patience, equipment and abilities.” He has an extensive collection of astronomical and solar telescopes that he shares during his educational sessions. Overacker’s enthusiasm has led telescope manufacturers to have him test their equipment at his events. He is also known for his love of meteorites and gives many from his personal collection to young enthusiasts.
During the span of the last 20 or so years, Overacker’s outreach efforts have included projects that promote efforts to make astronomy more accessible. In 2007 he supported the founder in the development of the Belk Astronomical Observatory at Lynchburg University’s Claytor Nature Center. His cohort confirmed that Mike “gladly took on an essential role in the early phase of construction, installation of the telescope, software integration and nighttime operation on a volunteer basis.” He also helped train local educators and docents on how to use the observatory equipment. In preparation of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse, Overacker collected thousands of safe solar glasses and shared them with schools, civic organizations and the general public. His dedication led him to travel with solar telescopes and glasses from Virginia to North Carolina to let others view the eclipse. As a testament to Overacker’s enthusiasm, one cohort mentions how “a lot of people were content to watch the eclipse, but on this very hot day, Mike gladly gave up time he could have been viewing and photographing the phenomenon himself to show others the wonder through solar telescopes.”
Overacker is also not just a “member” of astronomy clubs. In 2003 he joined and was soon elected President of the Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society (RVAS.) Together with one of his long-standing outreach partners, he led events such as the viewing of the 2004 Venus Transit. He left to create his own club in 2008, the Star City Astronomy Network (SCAN) with the main purpose of astronomical viewing and outreach. He is also an enthusiastic member of the Astronomical League and reached the Master status in its outreach program, as well as Master Observer.
Please contact the Awards team if you have questions about the nomination process
