About the Author

David A. Aguilar is the author and illustrator of multiple National Geographic books on astronomy including "PLANETS, STARS, AND GALAXIES: A Visual Encyclopedia of Our Universe", winner of the 2008 VOYA (Voice of Youth) Award, 13 PLANETS - winner of the 2011 Eureka Gold Award for best science book for kids, and "SUPER STARS!". His next book, "ALIEN WORLDS" examines just how bizarre alien life might be. Published as an adult book, kid's book and I-Pad AP, Alien Worlds will be released in Spring 2013.

His writings are widely recognized for their ability to communicate the wonderment of science to enthusiasts of all ages. David also created the illustrations for each book which have been featured on the History Channel's "The Universe" series, Time magazine, CNN, USA Today, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, Scientific American, Science News and Astronomy magazine.

David is the past director of the Fiske Planetarium & Science Center and the originator of the Science Discovery Program at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and now the popular host of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for the Astrophysics "Observatory Nights" program. He also leads Smithsonian study travelers to destinations around the globe to explore celestial phenomena with telescopes - and even binoculars!

In 2009, asteroid DA2000 was named in honor of his recognized leadership in science education.