Chris Impey is a University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy at the University of Arizona whose research has been supported by $20 million in NASA and National Science Foundation (NSF) grants. The recipient of eleven teaching awards, he is a past Vice President of the American Astronomical Society, as well as a winner of their career Education Prize. He’s also been NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar, Carnegie Council’s Arizona Professor of the Year, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor. Professor Impey is the author of two textbooks, a novel called Shadow World, and nine popular science books, including Beyond: Our Future in Space.