Known for his enthusiastic, comprehensible, and clever explanations of the mysteries of space to the general public, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Ph.D., is the recipient of the Space Foundation's 2009 Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award.

The award will be presented during the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the 25th National Space Symposium on March 30. Scheduled for March 30 - April 2, 2009, at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the 25th National Space Symposium is the premier annual gathering of the global space community. The Space Foundation annually presents the Douglas S. Morrow Public Outreach Award to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to public awareness of space programs. The award honors the late Douglas S. Morrow, renowned Academy Award winning writer and producer, space advocate, and former director of the Space Foundation.

(Photo: Chris Cassidy, NOVA, scienceNOW)