Philip Cary Plait aka "The Bad Astronomer"

Philip Plait, an American astronomer, skeptic, and popular science blogger, is known for his work with the Hubble Space Telescope and public outreach advocacy for NASA missions. Growing up, Plait's interest in astronomy was sparked when his father brought home a telescope. He went on to earn a PhD from the University of Virginia and worked on the Hubble Space Telescope team.

Public Outreach and Advocacy

Plait has dedicated himself to educating the public about astronomy and debunking misconceptions. He established the "Bad Astronomy" website in 1998 and the corresponding blog in 2005, where he tackles topics such as astrology, pseudoscience, and the moon landing conspiracy. Through his writings, appearances on science documentaries, and social media presence, Plait aims to promote evidence-based thinking and scientific skepticism.

Skeptical Advocacy

Plait serves as a prominent advocate for scientific skepticism. From 2008 to 2009, he was president of the James Randi Educational Foundation. He regularly speaks at science and skepticism conferences, advocating for critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making. Plait has been a vocal supporter of vaccination and has criticized pseudoscientific claims related to health, climate change, and other scientific issues.

Personal Life and Career

Plait currently resides in rural Virginia. He has collaborated with his wife on science-based vacation adventures. His blog has been hosted on various platforms throughout the years, including Discover Magazine, Slate, and SyfyWire. Plait has also taught astronomy on the YouTube series "Crash Course" and contributes to publications such as Encyclopædia Britannica and Astronomy magazine.

Awards and Honors

Plait's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Weblog Award for Best Science Blog, the Philip J. Klass Award from the National Capital Area Skeptics, and the David N. Schramm Award for High Energy Astrophysics Science Journalism. His asteroid, 165347 Philplait, was named after him in 2008.