I first joined the Air and Space Museum in 1974 to work under a NASA grant to study the photography of the Moon collected by the Apollo missions. At the completion of these studies, I undertook the development of the "Looking at Earth" exhibition, a major gallery devoted to the science and history of aerial and orbital imagery of the Earth. During my career at the Museum I have conducted research in the fields of lunar and terrestrial remote sensing. I am the author, jointly with Frederick Engle, of Looking at Earth, a book of satellite imagery of the world that has been published in 7 languages. I am currently the curator of the lunar rocks on display at the Museum, and manage the exhibits and public programs of the Center for Earth & Planetary Studies.

Public programs I coordinate include:

Mars Day!-On this popular family day, a variety of activities are presented, and the public can interact one-on-one with CEPS scientists. Visitors view a demonstration of a battery-operated full-scale Sojourner Mars Rover model, see the surface of Mars in 3-D, talk with real planetary scientists, see a meteorite that came from Mars, operate real mini-robot explorers, learn about new Mars missions, participate in the Red Planet Quiz Show, and more!

Geography From Space-A fun contest conducted during National Geography Awareness Week. Visitors learn about remote sensing and geography by trying to identify geographic features on satellite images.

Exploring Space Lecture Series-Run by CEPS in alternate years, this lecture series brings distinguished lecturers in the fields of space science and history to NASM.

The major CEPS exhibit project now in the works is a new Exploring the Planets gallery set to open in a few years. This major exhibition will replace the current Exploring the Planets exhibit.

Priscilla Strain's CV (PDF)