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About Us

Astronomers for Planet Earth is a volunteer network of astronomers, astronomy students, and astronomy educators committed to bringing our voices to the struggle against climate change and for climate justice. The organization grew out of two groups that formed independently in 2019, one in North America and one in Europe.

The more than 2200 members of Astronomers for Planet Earth hail from 83 countries: United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, China, New Zealand, Canada, Hungary, Chile, Germany, Netherlands, France, Denmark, Italy, Brazil, Serbia, Mexico, India, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Czechia, South Africa, Finland, Sweden, Uruguay, Bulgaria, Belgium, Austria, Colombia, Argentina, Nigeria, Portugal, Kenya, Pakistan, Philippines, Azerbaijan, Iran, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Japan, Namibia, Poland, Haiti, Rwanda, Tunisia, Ghana, Mozambique, Greece, Ukraine, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Croatia, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Cameroon, Paraguay, Sudan, Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Syria, Nepal, Malaysia, Uganda, Trinidad, Estonia, Mauritius, Senegal, Hong Kong, South Korea, Israel, Russia, Romania, Tanzania, Cyprus, Turkmenistan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda,  Sri Lanka and Angola.

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Steering Group and Founding Members

Dr. Fatemeh Zahra Majidi

Dr. Fatemeh Zahra Majidi obtained her PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Sciences from Sapienza and Tor Vergata University of Rome. Her doctoral research focused on characterizing M-dwarfs through broad-band spectroscopy and exploring the detectability of gravitational waves and their electromagnetic counterparts with next-generation interferometers. She later pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in planetary sciences at the University of Padova, Italy, contributing to the CHEOPS and HARPS-N consortia. Currently, Dr. Majidi serves as the Project Scientist for Mauve, a UV-Vis cubesat with an operational wavelength range of 200-700 nm, at Blue Skies Space Ltd.

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 Dr. Fatemeh Zahra Majidi obtained her PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Space Sciences from Sapienza and Tor Vergata University of Rome. Her doctoral research focused on characterizing M-dwarfs through broad-band spectroscopy and exploring the detectability of gravitational waves and their electromagnetic counterparts with next-generation interferometers. She later pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in planetary sciences at the University of Padova, Italy, contributing to the CHEOPS and HARPS-N consortia. Currently, Dr. Majidi serves as the Project Scientist for Mauve, a UV-Vis cubesat with an operational wavelength range of 200-700 nm, at Blue Skies Space Ltd.

Maura Pilia

Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari, Italy

Maura is a senior researcher at the Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari, Italy. Her main areas of research are pulsars and fast radio bursts but she’s also keen to explore how astronomy can help shape a better future for our own planet Earth.

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 Maura is a senior researcher at the Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari, Italy. Her main areas of research are pulsars and fast radio bursts but she's also keen to explore how astronomy can help shape a better future for our own planet Earth.

Sarah Wagner

University of Würzburg

Sarah is a PhD student at the University of Würzburg. She is excited about blazar variability and nature.

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 Sarah is a PhD student at the University of Würzburg. She is excited about blazar variability and nature.

Volker Ossenkopf-Okada

University of Cologne

Volker is lecturer at the University of Cologne, studying the interstellar medium and star formation by numerically comparing observations and simulations. Among his activities in public outreach and kid’s education he tries to sharpen the view for the uniqueness of planet Earth and the need for a sustainable behaviour of mankind.

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 Volker is lecturer at the University of Cologne, studying the interstellar medium and star formation by numerically comparing observations and simulations. Among his activities in public outreach and kid's education he tries to sharpen the view for the uniqueness of planet Earth and the need for a sustainable behaviour of mankind.

Vanessa Moss

Vanessa is a radio astronomer based at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. She is Head of Science Operations for the ASKAP telescope in remote Western Australia, and has studied cosmic phenomena across the universe, from the hidden structure of the Milky Way halo to dense gas casting shadows against distant black holes. Vanessa has extensive experience in data analysis/visualisation, automation of complex systems and science communication across numerous contexts. She is a strong advocate for optimising all interactions by maximising accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability, and leads “The Future of Meetings” (TFOM) community to explore and disseminate new ways of meeting and collaborating.

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 Vanessa is a radio astronomer based at CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. She is Head of Science Operations for the ASKAP telescope in remote Western Australia, and has studied cosmic phenomena across the universe, from the hidden structure of the Milky Way halo to dense gas casting shadows against distant black holes. Vanessa has extensive experience in data analysis/visualisation, automation of complex systems and science communication across numerous contexts. She is a strong advocate for optimising all interactions by maximising accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability, and leads "The Future of Meetings" (TFOM) community to explore and disseminate new ways of meeting and collaborating.

Laurane Fréour

University of Vienna

Laurane is a PhD student at the University of Vienna, specializing on globular clusters and their multiple stellar populations. Alongside her research, she teaches a course on sustainability in academia and is actively involved in climate education through the Climate Fresk NGO. Passionate about nature, she spends most of her free time outside, hiking or running.

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 Laurane is a PhD student at the University of Vienna, specializing on globular clusters and their multiple stellar populations. Alongside her research, she teaches a course on sustainability in academia and is actively involved in climate education through the Climate Fresk NGO. Passionate about nature, she spends most of her free time outside, hiking or running.

Shanil Virani

I am a passionate science educator, an award-winning astronomer at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, creator/host of Our Island Universe, & co-author of “Daughter of the Stars”, a coffee table astro-photography photo-book about light pollution and what we lose when we lose the night.

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 I am a passionate science educator, an award-winning astronomer at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, creator/host of Our Island Universe, & co-author of “Daughter of the Stars”, a coffee table astro-photography photo-book about light pollution and what we lose when we lose the night.

Beatriz Mingo

Beatriz Mingo is an Ernest Rutherford Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire (UK), where she uses the pan-European LOFAR radio telescope array to study jets powered by supermassive black holes. Deeply concerned about the increasing impact of the climate crisis, and galvanised into taking action, Beatriz joined A4E in 2021. Through her input on A4E projects, lectures, public talks, committees, and teaching, she is working to convey A4E’s core message: there is no planet B, and we must act together to help preserve planet A, our home, for future generations.

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 Beatriz Mingo is an Ernest Rutherford Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire (UK), where she uses the pan-European LOFAR radio telescope array to study jets powered by supermassive black holes. Deeply concerned about the increasing impact of the climate crisis, and galvanised into taking action, Beatriz joined A4E in 2021. Through her input on A4E projects, lectures, public talks, committees, and teaching, she is working to convey A4E's core message: there is no planet B, and we must act together to help preserve planet A, our home, for future generations.

Julie Bolduc-Duval

Julie is a science communicator with a background in astronomy and education. She is the director of the Canadian astronomy education program Discover the Universe, supported by the Dunlap Institute at the University of Toronto. Through her work, she helps teachers bring astronomy to their classrooms and hopes to inspire them to take care of our planet and all its citizens.

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 Julie is a science communicator with a background in astronomy and education. She is the director of the Canadian astronomy education program Discover the Universe, supported by the Dunlap Institute at the University of Toronto. Through her work, she helps teachers bring astronomy to their classrooms and hopes to inspire them to take care of our planet and all its citizens.

Mandeep S.S. Gill

Mandeep is research staff in observational cosmology at the University of Minnesota and works on climate change issues both within academia and at civic levels.

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 Mandeep is research staff in observational cosmology at the University of Minnesota and works on climate change issues both within academia and at civic levels.
Michelle Willebrands

Michelle Willebrands

Leiden University, The Netherlands

Michelle is a science communicator with a background in astronomy. As the coordinator of the IAU European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development, her work focuses on how astronomy can benefit society and contribute to sustainable development and the UN SDGs. She believes that astronomy offers a unique perspective on Earth that illustrates the need to work together to preserve our home planet and combat climate change.

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 Michelle is a science communicator with a background in astronomy. As the coordinator of the IAU European Regional Office of Astronomy for Development, her work focuses on how astronomy can benefit society and contribute to sustainable development and the UN SDGs. She believes that astronomy offers a unique perspective on Earth that illustrates the need to work together to preserve our home planet and combat climate change.
Iris Nijman

Iris Nijman

European Space Agency, Wildeor Foundation

Iris is a science communicator from the Netherlands, currently based in Leiden where she writes about the European Space Agency’s space science missions. She has also been a public information officer for NRAO, NOIRLab and ASTRON, as well as a freelance science journalist. Iris loves to work with astronomers on improving their communication skills, and believes that climate change communication is a crucial aspect of that. She is also a co-founder and board member of the Wildeor Foundation, which aims to bring nature back to life.

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 Iris is a science communicator from the Netherlands, currently based in Leiden where she writes about the European Space Agency’s space science missions. She has also been a public information officer for NRAO, NOIRLab and ASTRON, as well as a freelance science journalist. Iris loves to work with astronomers on improving their communication skills, and believes that climate change communication is a crucial aspect of that. She is also a co-founder and board member of the Wildeor Foundation, which aims to bring nature back to life.
Gina Maffey

Gina Maffey

Green Roots, Wildeor Foundation, The Netherlands

Gina is interested in the stories that we tell about the world around us. She holds a PhD in environmental science and has worked on conservation topics across the globe with different grass roots organisations. A position in science communication brought her together with an inspiring group of astronomers determined to make a difference, and the European arm of A4E was conceived. A universal perspective on the planet has inspired Gina to look at the world without borders and strengthened her resolve to forge a brighter future – the stories are currently being written.

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 Gina is interested in the stories that we tell about the world around us. She holds a PhD in environmental science and has worked on conservation topics across the globe with different grass roots organisations. A position in science communication brought her together with an inspiring group of astronomers determined to make a difference, and the European arm of A4E was conceived. A universal perspective on the planet has inspired Gina to look at the world without borders and strengthened her resolve to forge a brighter future - the stories are currently being written.
Victoria Grinberg

Victoria Grinberg

European Space Agency

Victoria is a professional astrophysicist and passionate science communicator. Her scientific interests are two of the most extreme environments in our universe: the vicinity of accreting black holes and neutron stars and the winds of the massive supergiant stars. The extremes of the universe and the depth of space have taught her profound humility towards our small, vulnerable, and unique planet.

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 Victoria is a professional astrophysicist and passionate science communicator. Her scientific interests are two of the most extreme environments in our universe: the vicinity of accreting black holes and neutron stars and the winds of the massive supergiant stars. The extremes of the universe and the depth of space have taught her profound humility towards our small, vulnerable, and unique planet.
Abhijeet Borkar

Abhijeet Borkar

Czech Academy of Sciences
Czech Republic

Abhijeet is a researcher at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czechia. His work focuses on the study of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. He also works as a Support Scientist for the ALMA Observatory. Abhijeet has been active about environment and climate from his young age, as an avid hiker and a student in India, where he was keenly aware of the impact of human actions on the environment. He believes that we need collective action and systematic changes to mitigate the ongoing climate crisis, and as astronomers, it is our responsibility to promote action.

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 Abhijeet is a researcher at the Astronomical Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, Czechia. His work focuses on the study of supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. He also works as a Support Scientist for the ALMA Observatory. Abhijeet has been active about environment and climate from his young age, as an avid hiker and a student in India, where he was keenly aware of the impact of human actions on the environment. He believes that we need collective action and systematic changes to mitigate the ongoing climate crisis, and as astronomers, it is our responsibility to promote action.

Tobias Beuchert

Max Planck Society / Self-Employed

Tobi holds a PhD in astrophysics and works professionally in science communication, writing articles and blogs, and producing shows and podcasts. At the Max Planck Society, he serves as a science editor, making cutting-edge research accessible to a broad audience. Passionate about global sustainability, Tobi leverages his expertise as a scientist, communicator, and community builder to share insights about the universe and advocate for Earth’s climate with a clear message: “There is no Planet B.” Storytelling and emotion are his key tools.

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 Tobi holds a PhD in astrophysics and works professionally in science communication, writing articles and blogs, and producing shows and podcasts. At the Max Planck Society, he serves as a science editor, making cutting-edge research accessible to a broad audience. Passionate about global sustainability, Tobi leverages his expertise as a scientist, communicator, and community builder to share insights about the universe and advocate for Earth's climate with a clear message: "There is no Planet B." Storytelling and emotion are his key tools.
Leo Burtscher

Leo Burtscher

Leiden University, The Netherlands

Leo is a staff scientist at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands and works for ELT/METIS as calibration scientist. His scientific interests are in the field of high-resolution studies of active galaxies as well as infrared instrumentation for astronomy. Leo is convinced that everyone must do whatever is in their power to fight the climate crisis. As an astronomer he wants to share the view that Earth is the only home that we have and that we therefore need to take good care of her. Leo is one of the founders of the international group Astronomers for Planet Earth.

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 Leo is a staff scientist at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands and works for ELT/METIS as calibration scientist. His scientific interests are in the field of high-resolution studies of active galaxies as well as infrared instrumentation for astronomy. Leo is convinced that everyone must do whatever is in their power to fight the climate crisis. As an astronomer he wants to share the view that Earth is the only home that we have and that we therefore need to take good care of her. Leo is one of the founders of the international group Astronomers for Planet Earth.
Jacob White

Jacob White

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Jacob is a Jansky Fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. He specializes in star/planet formation, circumstellar disks, and the radio emission of main-sequence stars. Jacob is also passionate about science communication and regularly facilitates astronomy outreach events. While working as a postdoc in Hungary, he helped co-found Astronomers For Future which later merged with Astronomers for Planet Earth. Jacob strongly believes that astronomers can (and should) be doing more to help inform the public about the impacts of the climate crisis as well as reconciling their own actions with a carbon-constrained future.

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 Jacob is a Jansky Fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. He specializes in star/planet formation, circumstellar disks, and the radio emission of main-sequence stars. Jacob is also passionate about science communication and regularly facilitates astronomy outreach events. While working as a postdoc in Hungary, he helped co-found Astronomers For Future which later merged with Astronomers for Planet Earth. Jacob strongly believes that astronomers can (and should) be doing more to help inform the public about the impacts of the climate crisis as well as reconciling their own actions with a carbon-constrained future.
Sarah DeVeny

Sarah Deveny

Bay Area Environmental Research Institute

Sarah is a Research Associate in the Speckle group working with Gemini Observatory. Her love of nature both here on Earth and in space has led her to be involved with A4E. With the hope to protect the only planet we have, she is always learning how to better communicate about climate change to her students and others. She works closely with the A4E members working group.

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 Sarah is a Research Associate in the Speckle group working with Gemini Observatory. Her love of nature both here on Earth and in space has led her to be involved with A4E. With the hope to protect the only planet we have, she is always learning how to better communicate about climate change to her students and others. She works closely with the A4E members working group.
Charli Sakari

Charli Sakari

San Francisco State University

Charli is an Assistant Professor at SFSU. Her research focuses on the creation of the elements and their distribution throughout the Galaxy. Understanding how elements form and the physics of stellar atmospheres is a crucial perspective for our situation on Earth.

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 Charli is an Assistant Professor at SFSU. Her research focuses on the creation of the elements and their distribution throughout the Galaxy. Understanding how elements form and the physics of stellar atmospheres is a crucial perspective for our situation on Earth.
Travis Rector

Travis Rector

University of Alaska Anchorage

Travis is a Professor of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where his primary area of research is in star formation. As an Alaskan he is experiencing firsthand the effects of climate change, as the Arctic is warming at twice the rate as the rest of the world. He is working to educate students and the public on how climate change affects them, and what we can do about it.

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 Travis is a Professor of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Alaska Anchorage, where his primary area of research is in star formation. As an Alaskan he is experiencing firsthand the effects of climate change, as the Arctic is warming at twice the rate as the rest of the world. He is working to educate students and the public on how climate change affects them, and what we can do about it.
Wendy Crumine

Wendy Crumrine

University of Southern California

Wendy is an astrophysics PhD student studying theoretical cosmology at USC, with a bachelors in psychology from Harvard and a masters in astrophysics from SFSU. She has 15+ years experience teaching middle, high school and college science, and is passionate about opening young minds to an astronomical perspective—which helps young people comprehend the uniqueness, wonder and fragility of their planet Earth. Wendy’s passion is to nurture in them the desire to protect the ecological balances of their ‘only home’, as she volunteers with A4E’s video development, education and website working groups.

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 Wendy is an astrophysics PhD student studying theoretical cosmology at USC, with a bachelors in psychology from Harvard and a masters in astrophysics from SFSU. She has 15+ years experience teaching middle, high school and college science, and is passionate about opening young minds to an astronomical perspective—which helps young people comprehend the uniqueness, wonder and fragility of their planet Earth. Wendy’s passion is to nurture in them the desire to protect the ecological balances of their ‘only home', as she volunteers with A4E’s video development, education and website working groups.

Chris McCarthy

San Francisco State University

Chris is an exoplanet researcher, adjunct professor at SFSU, instructor for Astronomy & Physics courses, and a board member of the Mission Science Workshop. He contributes lecture presentations, links, news stories, and scientific research articles to A4E.

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 Chris is an exoplanet researcher, adjunct professor at SFSU, instructor for Astronomy & Physics courses, and a board member of the Mission Science Workshop. He contributes lecture presentations, links, news stories, and scientific research articles to A4E.

Debra Fischer

Yale University

Debra is a Professor Emeritus of Astronomy who has been detecting exoplanets since 1997. She leads the 100 Earths project using the EXPRES spectrograph, built by her team and now operating at the Lowell Discovery Telescope. Planets similar to Earth are hard to find and impractical destinations for humanity. The Earth is our only home. However, the quality of life on Earth is threatened by our use of fossil fuels. Debra wants to do everything possible to mitigate climate change for her children and for all living creatures on Earth. She believes that astronomers can work together to effect equitable solutions.

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 Debra is a Professor Emeritus of Astronomy who has been detecting exoplanets since 1997. She leads the 100 Earths project using the EXPRES spectrograph, built by her team and now operating at the Lowell Discovery Telescope. Planets similar to Earth are hard to find and impractical destinations for humanity. The Earth is our only home. However, the quality of life on Earth is threatened by our use of fossil fuels. Debra wants to do everything possible to mitigate climate change for her children and for all living creatures on Earth. She believes that astronomers can work together to effect equitable solutions.

Imani Mairae Ware

San Francisco State University

Imani Ware is a co-founder of Astronomers for Planet Earth and an alumna of San Francisco State University with a background in astrophysics. She is passionate about leveraging science communication and community engagement to promote climate justice and inspire sustainable solutions. In addition to her advocacy work, Imani applies her commitment to sustainability through hands-on projects, including designing eco-friendly mobile tiny homes and constructing renewable energy systems. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, USA and loves to sew, rock climb, cook, and go on outdoor adventures.

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 Imani Ware is a co-founder of Astronomers for Planet Earth and an alumna of San Francisco State University with a background in astrophysics. She is passionate about leveraging science communication and community engagement to promote climate justice and inspire sustainable solutions. In addition to her advocacy work, Imani applies her commitment to sustainability through hands-on projects, including designing eco-friendly mobile tiny homes and constructing renewable energy systems. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, USA and loves to sew, rock climb, cook, and go on outdoor adventures.
Adrienne Cool

Adrienne Cool

San Francisco State University

Inspired by the young people in her life, Adrienne founded Astronomers for Planet Earth together with students at SFSU and Debra Fischer at Yale. Like astronomers everywhere, she spends a good deal of time contemplating things that are impossibly far away. She believes that this experience gives astronomers a distinct perspective on our home planet that can and should be harnessed in the struggle to combat climate change.

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 Inspired by the young people in her life, Adrienne founded Astronomers for Planet Earth together with students at SFSU and Debra Fischer at Yale. Like astronomers everywhere, she spends a good deal of time contemplating things that are impossibly far away. She believes that this experience gives astronomers a distinct perspective on our home planet that can and should be harnessed in the struggle to combat climate change.
Jessica Merritt Agnos

Jessica Merritt Agnos

San Francisco State University

Jessica Agnos is a master’s student at San Francisco State University, studying astrophysics with a research interest in galactic archaeology. Her undergraduate degree is in communications, with a concentration in video production, and she spends much of her time using these skills to communicate the need for urgent action in the face of the climate crisis. She is a founding and active member of Astronomers for Planet Earth and a member of the AAS Sustainability committee. She also helped establish a tutoring program with other members of the Physics and Astronomy department at SFSU to offer math support to local elementary school students. Her three children are her inspiration and fuel her passion to fight for a sustainable world.

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 Jessica Agnos is a master’s student at San Francisco State University, studying astrophysics with a research interest in galactic archaeology. Her undergraduate degree is in communications, with a concentration in video production, and she spends much of her time using these skills to communicate the need for urgent action in the face of the climate crisis. She is a founding and active member of Astronomers for Planet Earth and a member of the AAS Sustainability committee. She also helped establish a tutoring program with other members of the Physics and Astronomy department at SFSU to offer math support to local elementary school students. Her three children are her inspiration and fuel her passion to fight for a sustainable world.

Our climate statement

Overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that human activity — particularly the use of fossil fuels — is warming our planet’s surface and oceans, causing Earth’s climate to change in ways that threaten the future of human civilization world-wide.

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Comet NEOWISE over Puget Sound, D. Huppenkothen

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