Timothy Ferris

Tim Ferris is the author of 12 books and the creator of two PBS specials, "Life Beyond Earth" and "The Creation of the Universe," which have introduced audiences to astronomy, cosmology, and the broader field of science communication. Among his works are the bestsellers "Coming of Age in the Milky Way" and "The Whole Shebang," both recognized by The New York Times as significant publications of the twentieth century. Ferris' book "Seeing in the Dark" also appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list and was adapted into a PBS special of the same name.

Ferris has taught in five disciplines at four universities and holds the title of Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley. His honors include the American Institute of Physics science-writing award, the American Association for the Advancement of Science science-communication prize, the Klumpke–Roberts Award for lifetime contribution to public understanding of astronomy, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is recognized for his contributions to making complex scientific concepts accessible to general audiences.

Ferris produced the Voyager phonograph record, an artifact designed to preserve a record of Earth's music, sounds, and photographs for potential extraterrestrial discovery. The record was launched aboard the Voyager interstellar spacecraft and is engineered to endure for a billion years. As a consultant to NASA, Ferris contributed to the agency's long-term space exploration goals, served on the Near-Earth Object Steering Group, and was a candidate for the Journalist in Space program. Ferris continues to write, lecture, and appear in broadcast media, focusing on astronomy, cosmology, and science communication.