Derrick Pitts

Derrick Pitts (born January 22, 1955) is an American astronomer and science communicator. Pitts studied at St. Lawrence University and has been employed at the Franklin Institute since 1978 where he is chief astronomer and director of the institute's Fels Planetarium. Pitts is a frequent guest on radio and television to explain the science of astronomy and share his enthusiasm for science in general.

Early life and education Pitts was born in the Tioga-Nicetown section of Philadelphia on January 22, 1955. As a young child he was fascinated by space travel and astronomy. The power of science to determine reliable information about objects in space had a profound effect on him. He learned that by the careful examination of light many things could be learned even from very distant objects. This realization caused him to look "into the sky with a totally different understanding of it than I had just a few hours before". He attended Germantown Academy from 1969 to 1974 enrolling as its second African-American student.

Pitts attended St. Lawrence University, graduating in 1978 with a degree in geology.

Franklin Institute Pitts has been at the Franklin Institute since he was a college student. His responsibilities include the design and presentation of exhibits and public programs. His goal is to create "content, exhibits, and programs that translate complex science topics to levels that can be understood by interested people of all ages". He often uses the slogan "Eat, breathe, do science. Sleep later". The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, Since 1991, he's co-hosted a weekly radio discussion program called Skytalk on WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, PA. He narrated 2001: A Space Odyssey concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts to honor astronaut, and fellow Philadelphia local, Col. Guion Bluford Jr. Science advisor and host for PBS The Great Comet Crash, guest scientist for Newton's Apple, and science guy for Kid's corner. began hosting a webseries for The Franklin Institute entitled "A Practical Guide to the Cosmos". The series explores "exoplanets, galaxies, black holes, and space missions" as well as how to spot celestial bodies, and astronomical phenomena in the night sky.

Awards, memberships, and recognition Pitts was named a NASA Solar System Ambassador,