Published September 26. 2023 11:17AM
by MARIEKE ANDRONACHE Special to The Press
An avid amateur astronomer, Bethlehem’s Marty McGuire has always been interested in space.
He told The Press, “When I was a kid, I had a poster of one of those astronauts floating in space from one of the space shuttle missions. I’ve just loved it my whole life.”
On Aug. 5, McGuire spoke to residents at Emmaus Public Library about that love, as well as the work NASA has been doing recently and the International Space Station.
McGuire is part of the NASA’s JPL Solar System Ambassador program.
“When I realized that I could apply to NASA to be an ambassador to help spread my excitement and passion for this to the community, I was right on it,” McGuire told The Press.
NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador is a special program designed to promote NASA’s work at a community-based level. Applicants are chosen from their backgrounds, interests and their community outreach plans. They are expected to discuss and promote NASA’s latest missions, projects and findings. There are currently 1,274 ambassadors across the U.S.
McGuire applied and became a JPL Solar System Ambassador back in 2017. That same year, he did his first presentation at Emmaus Public Library, speaking about the Jupiter Mission.
“It’s fun. I get to help educate people about the opportunities and when to look for the Space Station and just be curious about looking up,” McGuire said.
This time, his talk focused on the work of the International Space Station, what the astronauts do and how they live. He also explained how you can send your name to Europa, Jupiter’s moon.
He also covered the upcoming moon-orbiting mission Artemis 2, currently scheduled for November 2024, using the Orion spacecraft. That mission is comprised of four astronauts: three Americans and one Canadian.
McGuire is also a founding partner of Lehigh Valley Space Fest, which had its inaugural event this past May in Easton. Over 3,000 avid space lovers participated and plans are already underway for next year’s event.
If you wish to learn more about Marty McGuire, visit his website: www.BackyardAstronomyGuy.com.
PRESS PHOTOS BY MARIEKE ANDRONACHE JPL Solar System Ambassador Marty McGuire speaks to space enthusiasts at the Emmaus Public Library.
Marty McGuire is one of 1,274 JPL Solar System Ambassadors in the country. His duties include speaking about and promoting NASA's latest projects, missions and findings.
