Steven J Dick
Menu
VITA
I Steven J. Dick
21406 Clearfork Ct Home: 703 / 909-0521
Ashburn, VA 20147 stevedick1@comcast.net
SUMMARY: Forty years working in astronomy and history of science, with extensive publication record, including 24 books. Research centered on history of science, space exploration, astrobiology, and American scientific institutions. Past President, History of Astronomy Commission, International Astronomical Union. Past Chair, Historical Astronomy Division, American Astronomical Society. Past President, Philosophical Society of Washington.
EDUCATION: Mt. Vernon Sr. High School, Mt Vernon, Indiana, 1967
B.S. in Astrophysics, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1971
M. A. in History and Philosophy of Science, Indiana University, 1974
Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science, Indiana University, 1977
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/EMPLOYMENT
2015-Scientific Advisory Board SETI Institute [Searching for ETI]
2019
2015-Board of Directors METI International [Messaging ETI]
2019
2013- Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Kluge
2014 Center, Library of Congress
2011 - Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History, National Air and Space
2012 Museum, Washington, D.C., Researching “Cosmic Evolution and the Space Age: The History, Uses and Impact of an Idea.”
2010 - Principal Investigator, NSF Grant # 1016024, “Discovery, Interpretation and Classification of Astronomical Objects.”
2011
2003 - Chief Historian, NASA, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
2009 Research and writing; organized conferences; oversaw 50th anniversary activities; instituted studies on societal impact of
spaceflight; oversaw 40 book projects; instituted grants program to HSS, SHOT, etc.
2003 Acting Chief, Nautical Almanac Office, U. S. Naval Observatory
1989 - Historian of Science, U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Research
2003 historian, wrote history of U. S. Naval Observatory, 1830-2000. Oversaw
Naval Observatory Public Affairs. USNO Oral History Series.
1999- Principal Investigator, NASA Grant NAG5-8594, "Birth of a New Science:
2001 The Exobiology Program in NASA." Exobiology Oral History Series.
1992-93 Historian, NASA High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) SETI (Search
for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program. SETI Oral History Series.
1979-89 Astronomer, U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Specializing in astrometry (positional astronomy). 1984-87 located at USNO Southern Hemisphere Station, South Island, New Zealand
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND ACTIVITIES
Member American Astronomical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science (elected Fellow, 2012), International Astronomical Union, History of Science Society, Philosophical Society of Washington. Corresponding Member, Section 4, International Academy of Astronautics.
Co-organizer and speaker, session on “Astrobiology in Historical Perspective,” Astrobiology Science Conference 2012, Atlanta.
Invited lecturer at Sao Paolo Advanced School in Astrobiology (SPASA), Sao Paolo, Brazil, December, 2011.
Invited keynote speaker, conference on “History and Philosophy of Astrobiology,” Hven, Sweden, September, 2011.
Participant, Astrobiology and Society Workshop, SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, February, 2009.
Subject Editor, Space Sciences, New Dictionary of Scientific Biography, Noretta Koertge, Editor-in-Chief (Thomson Gale/Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2008), 8 volumes, 2006-2008
History of Science Society Representative to AAAS Section X (Societal Impacts of Science and Engineering), 2005-2006
Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureships In Astronomy, American Astronomical Society, 2005-2006
American Institute of Physics, Advisory Committee for the History of Physics, 2004-2006.
Consultant, NASA Scientific Oversight Review Committee (SORC), Mars Sample Return Hazard Protocols (Joshua Lederberg, Chair), 2000-2001
Associate Editor, International Journal of Astrobiology (Cambridge University Press); Editorial Board, Journal for the History of Astronomy, Journal for Astronomical History and Heritage.
Local Organizing Committee, American Astronomical Society meeting, Washington, D. C., January, 2002.
Prepared staff of House Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, for Hearings on Life in the Universe, July 12, 2001
Chair, Scientific Organizing Committee, IAU Colloquium 178, "Polar Motion: Historical and Scientific Problems," Sardinia, Italy, September 27-30, 1999.
Member, Astrobiology Roadmap Committee, NASA Ames Research Center, June 1998
Member, Subcommittee on Issues of Policy Concerning Communications with Extraterrestrial Intelligence, International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee, 1998-
Member, Vice President Gore's Space Science Symposium on implications of the Mars meteorite discovery, Old Executive Office Building, December 11, 1996.
Co-chair, Notre Dame Workshops on History of Astronomy, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001.
Member, Centennial Committee, American Astronomical Society, 1995-1999.
Member, NASA Workshops on Cultural Aspects of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Santa Cruz, CA, 1991-92
Co-chair, Scientific Organizing Committee, "History of Oriental Astronomy," XXIIIrd General Assembly of the IAU, Kyoto, Japan, August, 1997.
Member, SOC, "The Leonid Meteor Storms: Historical Significance and Upcoming Opportunities," XXIIIrd General Assembly of the IAU, Kyoto, Japan, August, 1997.
Appearance on ABC World News Tonight, July 4, 1997, on occasion of Pathfinder landing; KPCC, Los Angeles, October 15, 1997, BBC, and others on life in the universe.
More than 50 hours of taped interviews with leaders in the field of Life in the Universe, including SETI and Exobiology, sponsored by NASA and the SETI Institute.
ELECTED OFFICES
Vice President (2001-2002), President (2003-2004), Philosophical Society of Washington.
President (1997-2000), Commission 41 (History of Astronomy), International Astronomical Union. Organizing Committee (1991-94), Vice President (1994-97), Commission 41 (History of Astronomy), International Astronomical Union.
Vice-Chairman (1991-92) and Chairman (1993-94), Historical Astronomy Division, American Astronomical Society.
AWARDS and HONORS
2019 Association of American Publishers PROSE award for Cosmology and Astronomy for Astrobiology, Discovery, and Societal Impact
2019 Elected Fellow of the American Astronomical Society for "achievement and extraordinary service to the field of astronomy and the American Astronomical Society."
2012 Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “for distinguished contributions to the history of astronomy and space science, and leadership at the U. S. Naval Observatory and as Director of the NASA History Office.”
2011 NASA/Johnson Space Center Group Achievement Award, “for valuable contributions to the NASA book Wings in Orbit: Scientific and Engineering Legacies of the Space Shuttle, 1971-2010.”
2010/2011 National Science Foundation Grant # SES-1016024, Science, Technology and Society Program, for work on “Discovery, Interpretation and Classification of Astronomical Objects.”
2009 Main belt asteroid designated 6544 Stevendick, Minor Planet Center, International Astronomical Union
2009 NASA Exceptional Service Medal, for exceptional service and leadership in NASA history
2008 NASA Group Achievement Award, for America in Space: NASA’s First 50 Years
2006 First Billingham Cutting-Edge Lecture, International Academy of Astronautics, International Astronautical Congress,Valencia,Spain.
2006 LeRoy E. Doggett Prize for Historical Astronomy, American Astronomical Society, “for a distinguished career and publication record that has significantly influenced the field of the history of astronomy."
2004 Pendleton Prize of the Society for History in the Federal Government for Sky and Ocean Joined: The U. S. Naval Observatory, 1830-2000. For best book on history in the Federal Government.
2003 Department of the Navy, Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and Award.
2002 John Lyman Book Award of the North American Society for Oceanic History, for Sky and Ocean Joined.
2001 NASA Group Achievement Award, to the NASA Astrobiology Team, “for initiating the new NASA multidisciplinary program in astrobiology, including the definition of the field of astrobiology, the formulation and initial establishment of the
NASA Astrobiology Institute, and the development of a Roadmap to guide
future NASA investments in astrobiology.”
1999-2001 Principal Investigator, NASA grant NAG5-8594, "Birth of a New Science: The Exobiology Program in NASA.”
1997 NASA grant for Oral History Interviews of leaders in the field of Exobiology
1994 International Research and Exchanges Board, Short-Term Travel Grant for Russian participation in discussions on "Astronomy and the State: U.S. and Soviet/CIS Perspectives," American Astronomical Society meeting, Washington, D.C.
1992 Ernest M. Eller Prize in Naval History, for best article on U.S. Naval History published in a scholarly journal.
1992-1993 NASA grant for history of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence program
21406 Clearfork Ct Home: 703 / 909-0521
Ashburn, VA 20147 stevedick1@comcast.net
SUMMARY: Forty years working in astronomy and history of science, with extensive publication record, including 24 books. Research centered on history of science, space exploration, astrobiology, and American scientific institutions. Past President, History of Astronomy Commission, International Astronomical Union. Past Chair, Historical Astronomy Division, American Astronomical Society. Past President, Philosophical Society of Washington.
EDUCATION: Mt. Vernon Sr. High School, Mt Vernon, Indiana, 1967
B.S. in Astrophysics, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1971
M. A. in History and Philosophy of Science, Indiana University, 1974
Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Science, Indiana University, 1977
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/EMPLOYMENT
2015-Scientific Advisory Board SETI Institute [Searching for ETI]
2019
2015-Board of Directors METI International [Messaging ETI]
2019
2013- Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Kluge
2014 Center, Library of Congress
2011 - Charles A. Lindbergh Chair in Aerospace History, National Air and Space
2012 Museum, Washington, D.C., Researching “Cosmic Evolution and the Space Age: The History, Uses and Impact of an Idea.”
2010 - Principal Investigator, NSF Grant # 1016024, “Discovery, Interpretation and Classification of Astronomical Objects.”
2011
2003 - Chief Historian, NASA, NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
2009 Research and writing; organized conferences; oversaw 50th anniversary activities; instituted studies on societal impact of
spaceflight; oversaw 40 book projects; instituted grants program to HSS, SHOT, etc.
2003 Acting Chief, Nautical Almanac Office, U. S. Naval Observatory
1989 - Historian of Science, U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Research
2003 historian, wrote history of U. S. Naval Observatory, 1830-2000. Oversaw
Naval Observatory Public Affairs. USNO Oral History Series.
1999- Principal Investigator, NASA Grant NAG5-8594, "Birth of a New Science:
2001 The Exobiology Program in NASA." Exobiology Oral History Series.
1992-93 Historian, NASA High Resolution Microwave Survey (HRMS) SETI (Search
for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) program. SETI Oral History Series.
1979-89 Astronomer, U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. Specializing in astrometry (positional astronomy). 1984-87 located at USNO Southern Hemisphere Station, South Island, New Zealand
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND ACTIVITIES
Member American Astronomical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science (elected Fellow, 2012), International Astronomical Union, History of Science Society, Philosophical Society of Washington. Corresponding Member, Section 4, International Academy of Astronautics.
Co-organizer and speaker, session on “Astrobiology in Historical Perspective,” Astrobiology Science Conference 2012, Atlanta.
Invited lecturer at Sao Paolo Advanced School in Astrobiology (SPASA), Sao Paolo, Brazil, December, 2011.
Invited keynote speaker, conference on “History and Philosophy of Astrobiology,” Hven, Sweden, September, 2011.
Participant, Astrobiology and Society Workshop, SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, February, 2009.
Subject Editor, Space Sciences, New Dictionary of Scientific Biography, Noretta Koertge, Editor-in-Chief (Thomson Gale/Charles Scribner’s Sons, 2008), 8 volumes, 2006-2008
History of Science Society Representative to AAAS Section X (Societal Impacts of Science and Engineering), 2005-2006
Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectureships In Astronomy, American Astronomical Society, 2005-2006
American Institute of Physics, Advisory Committee for the History of Physics, 2004-2006.
Consultant, NASA Scientific Oversight Review Committee (SORC), Mars Sample Return Hazard Protocols (Joshua Lederberg, Chair), 2000-2001
Associate Editor, International Journal of Astrobiology (Cambridge University Press); Editorial Board, Journal for the History of Astronomy, Journal for Astronomical History and Heritage.
Local Organizing Committee, American Astronomical Society meeting, Washington, D. C., January, 2002.
Prepared staff of House Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, for Hearings on Life in the Universe, July 12, 2001
Chair, Scientific Organizing Committee, IAU Colloquium 178, "Polar Motion: Historical and Scientific Problems," Sardinia, Italy, September 27-30, 1999.
Member, Astrobiology Roadmap Committee, NASA Ames Research Center, June 1998
Member, Subcommittee on Issues of Policy Concerning Communications with Extraterrestrial Intelligence, International Academy of Astronautics SETI Committee, 1998-
Member, Vice President Gore's Space Science Symposium on implications of the Mars meteorite discovery, Old Executive Office Building, December 11, 1996.
Co-chair, Notre Dame Workshops on History of Astronomy, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001.
Member, Centennial Committee, American Astronomical Society, 1995-1999.
Member, NASA Workshops on Cultural Aspects of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Santa Cruz, CA, 1991-92
Co-chair, Scientific Organizing Committee, "History of Oriental Astronomy," XXIIIrd General Assembly of the IAU, Kyoto, Japan, August, 1997.
Member, SOC, "The Leonid Meteor Storms: Historical Significance and Upcoming Opportunities," XXIIIrd General Assembly of the IAU, Kyoto, Japan, August, 1997.
Appearance on ABC World News Tonight, July 4, 1997, on occasion of Pathfinder landing; KPCC, Los Angeles, October 15, 1997, BBC, and others on life in the universe.
More than 50 hours of taped interviews with leaders in the field of Life in the Universe, including SETI and Exobiology, sponsored by NASA and the SETI Institute.
ELECTED OFFICES
Vice President (2001-2002), President (2003-2004), Philosophical Society of Washington.
President (1997-2000), Commission 41 (History of Astronomy), International Astronomical Union. Organizing Committee (1991-94), Vice President (1994-97), Commission 41 (History of Astronomy), International Astronomical Union.
Vice-Chairman (1991-92) and Chairman (1993-94), Historical Astronomy Division, American Astronomical Society.
AWARDS and HONORS
2019 Association of American Publishers PROSE award for Cosmology and Astronomy for Astrobiology, Discovery, and Societal Impact
2019 Elected Fellow of the American Astronomical Society for "achievement and extraordinary service to the field of astronomy and the American Astronomical Society."
2012 Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science “for distinguished contributions to the history of astronomy and space science, and leadership at the U. S. Naval Observatory and as Director of the NASA History Office.”
2011 NASA/Johnson Space Center Group Achievement Award, “for valuable contributions to the NASA book Wings in Orbit: Scientific and Engineering Legacies of the Space Shuttle, 1971-2010.”
2010/2011 National Science Foundation Grant # SES-1016024, Science, Technology and Society Program, for work on “Discovery, Interpretation and Classification of Astronomical Objects.”
2009 Main belt asteroid designated 6544 Stevendick, Minor Planet Center, International Astronomical Union
2009 NASA Exceptional Service Medal, for exceptional service and leadership in NASA history
2008 NASA Group Achievement Award, for America in Space: NASA’s First 50 Years
2006 First Billingham Cutting-Edge Lecture, International Academy of Astronautics, International Astronautical Congress,Valencia,Spain.
2006 LeRoy E. Doggett Prize for Historical Astronomy, American Astronomical Society, “for a distinguished career and publication record that has significantly influenced the field of the history of astronomy."
2004 Pendleton Prize of the Society for History in the Federal Government for Sky and Ocean Joined: The U. S. Naval Observatory, 1830-2000. For best book on history in the Federal Government.
2003 Department of the Navy, Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and Award.
2002 John Lyman Book Award of the North American Society for Oceanic History, for Sky and Ocean Joined.
2001 NASA Group Achievement Award, to the NASA Astrobiology Team, “for initiating the new NASA multidisciplinary program in astrobiology, including the definition of the field of astrobiology, the formulation and initial establishment of the
NASA Astrobiology Institute, and the development of a Roadmap to guide
future NASA investments in astrobiology.”
1999-2001 Principal Investigator, NASA grant NAG5-8594, "Birth of a New Science: The Exobiology Program in NASA.”
1997 NASA grant for Oral History Interviews of leaders in the field of Exobiology
1994 International Research and Exchanges Board, Short-Term Travel Grant for Russian participation in discussions on "Astronomy and the State: U.S. and Soviet/CIS Perspectives," American Astronomical Society meeting, Washington, D.C.
1992 Ernest M. Eller Prize in Naval History, for best article on U.S. Naval History published in a scholarly journal.
1992-1993 NASA grant for history of Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence program
Web Hosting by iPage