named programs · 4 · from sources
what they call their work
Education and Public Outreach (EPO)
Delivers science education programs, develops educational materials including children’s and popular science books, and engages the public through community science and media initiatives
Fieldwork and Observational Studies
Conducts ground-based and space-based observational research at facilities such as Cerro Tololo and Kitt Peak, and performs fieldwork on all continents
Science Education and Public Outreach
Programs involving school initiatives, children's books, popular science books, and art to educate the public about planetary science.
Science Research Program
Conducts fundamental research in planetary science including planetary formation, surface composition, atmospheres, small bodies, and astrobiology through participation in NASA and international missions
activities · 4 groups
what they do
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Observational Planetary & Stellar Research 8 activities
- Comprehensive planetary and solar system researchConducts broad research on Mars, other planets, the Moon, asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, impact physics, the origin of the Solar System, extra-solar planet formation, dynamics, and the rise of life.
- Global planetary fieldworkConducts planetary-related fieldwork on all continents worldwide.
- Ground-based astronomical observationsConducts ground-based observations of asteroids and infrared searches for intra-Mercurian bodies.
- Observational and experimental planetary science researchConducts observational studies of terrestrial planets, planetary satellites, small solar system bodies, comets, and Trans-Neptunian Objects; performs UV spectroscopy of planetary surfaces including icy satellites, asteroids, the Moon, Mars, and Io; and conducts hypervelocity impact experiments using the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range to study planetesimal accretion and collisional history.
- Planetary Science ResearchConducts extensive research across various fields of planetary science, including observational studies of celestial bodies, analysis of planetary atmospheres and cosmochemistry, hypervelocity impact experiments, and studies on the physical properties of comets and Trans-Neptunian Objects. This research also encompasses UV spectroscopy of planetary surfaces, surface composition, weathering processes, and the origin of the Solar System and extra-solar planet formation.
- Planetary Science ResearchConducts observational studies, hypervelocity impact experiments, and UV spectroscopy to research terrestrial planets, planetary satellites, small solar system bodies, planetary atmospheres, cosmochemistry, the Sun, astrobiology, comets, Trans-Neptunian Objects, and the origin of the Solar System. This research includes fieldwork on all continents worldwide.
- Planetary Science ResearchConducts extensive research across various areas of planetary science, including observational studies of celestial bodies, analysis of planetary atmospheres and cosmochemistry, hypervelocity impact experiments, and UV spectroscopy of planetary surfaces. This research covers Mars, the Moon, asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, and extra-solar planet formation, often involving fieldwork on all continents.
- Research on planetary atmospheres, cosmochemistry, and astrobiologyStudies planetary atmospheres, cosmochemistry, the Sun, and astrobiology with a focus on stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur to understand system processes.
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Youth-Focused Scientific Literacy Research 7 activities
- Research on science literacy and educationStudies scientific literacy, including its measurement and influence by education, outreach, and online media, and investigates how science research experiences improve science understanding.
- Science Education and Public OutreachEngages in science education and public outreach activities, including school programs, children's books, popular science books, and art, with 18 years of experience in this area. This also includes research on scientific literacy and the effectiveness of science research experiences.
- Science Education and Public OutreachEngages in science education and public outreach activities, including school programs, children's books, popular science books, and art, with 18 years of experience in this area.
- Science Education and Public OutreachEngages in science education and public outreach activities for 18 years through school programs, children's books, popular science books, and art.
- Science education and public outreach programsEngages in science education and public outreach through school programs, children's books, popular science books, and art; has sustained education and public outreach activities for 18 years.
- Scientific Literacy ResearchConducts research on scientific literacy, including its measurement and influence by education, outreach, and online media, and studies the use of science research experiences to improve science understanding.
- Scientific Literacy and Science Research Experience StudiesConducts research on scientific literacy, examining how it is measured and influenced by education, outreach, and online media, and studies the effectiveness of science research experiences in improving science understanding.
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Dark Sky Lighting Advocacy & Certification 4 activities
- Light Pollution Awareness and MitigationEngages in efforts related to light pollution awareness or mitigation.
- Light Pollution Awareness and MitigationEngages in efforts related to raising awareness and mitigating light pollution.
- Light Pollution Awareness and MitigationEngages in efforts related to light pollution awareness or mitigation.
- Light pollution awareness and mitigationEngages in advocacy efforts related to light pollution awareness or mitigation.
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Industry and Community Research Initiatives 1 activity
- Global Fieldwork for ResearchConducts fieldwork on all continents worldwide to support its research initiatives.
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financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$18.52M
Contributions & grants$164K1%
Program service revenue$18.34M99%
Investment income$15K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$18.15M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$12.97M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.89M
Cash$2.71M
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.94M
Net assets$2.95M
Liquid reserves1.8 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +7.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark V Sykes | CEO / Trustee | 40 | $253K |
| Bruce D Barnett | CFO / Treasurer | 40 | $240K |
| Amanda R Hendrix | Senior Scientist | 39 | $218K |
| Scott H Robinson | Senior Scientist | 35 | $209K |
| Maurizio A Ienna-Balistreri | COO / Secretary | 40 | $206K |
| Catherine M Weitz | Senior Scientist | 40 | $205K |
| Melinda Dyar | Senior Scientist | 30 | $189K |
| Candice J Hansen-Koharcheck | Senior Scientist | 40 | $185K |
board members · 6
- Alison Nordt — Trustee
- Arun Seraphin — Trustee
- Madelyn Creedon — Trustee
- Scott Fouse — Trustee/Board Chair
- William Craig — Trustee/Vice Chair
- William Hartmann — Trustee
relationships · 10
who they work with
- Cerro Tololo Government — Utilizes Cerro Tololo as a facility for ground-based astronomical observations.
- Kitt Peak Government — Utilizes Kitt Peak as a facility for ground-based astronomical observations.
- LRO Partner — Involved in the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission as part of scientific and outreach efforts.
- Lucy Partner — Participates in the Lucy mission, contributing to education and public outreach.
- Mars Odyssey Partner — Involved in the Mars Odyssey mission with a focus on education and public engagement.
- NASA Partner — Collaborates with NASA on space missions and planetary research.
- NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range Partner — Collaborates with the NASA Ames Vertical Gun Range to conduct hypervelocity impact experiments.
- PUNCH Partner — Participates in the PUNCH mission, supporting public engagement and community science initiatives.
- Phoenix Mars Lander Partner — Contributed to the Phoenix Mars Lander mission through education and outreach activities.
- SHIELD DRIVE Science Center Partner — Collaborates with the SHIELD DRIVE Science Center on science education and public outreach programs.