author
David Morrison
b. 1940
A longtime NASA scientist and science writer, he helped make astronomy and planetary science easier for general readers and students to explore. His work connects the excitement of space discovery with clear, fact-based explanation.
1 Audiobook
Voyage to Jupiter
by David Morrison, Jane Samz
About the author
Born in 1940, David Morrison is an American astronomer and planetary scientist whose career has been closely tied to NASA and the study of the Solar System. He earned his undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and later completed a Ph.D. in astronomy at Harvard University.
Over the years, he has held senior scientific and leadership roles at NASA Ames Research Center and has also been associated with the SETI Institute. His work has included planetary science, astrobiology, and public communication about space, and he has helped shape how these subjects are taught and discussed.
Morrison is also known as an author of widely used introductory texts in astronomy and planetary science, along with many articles and lectures for general audiences. A big part of his reputation comes from explaining complex ideas clearly and encouraging a scientific, evidence-based view of space and life in the universe.