By day, Tom Dworschak practices law for the US Department of Justice. By night, he shares his passion for all things “solar” as a NASA ambassador with groups in Dunwoody and beyond.
The Dunwoody resident and self-proclaimed “space geek” is one of 1,300 NASA Solar System Ambassadors, whose mission is to spread the word about NASA‘s space exploration missions, with a particular emphasis on NASA’s crewed space flight programs and the Hubble and Webb space telescopes.
“We are excited to tell everyone what we know about space and what we don’t know too,” he said. “We talk to schools groups, men’s clubs, senior citizen gatherings, and anyone else who wants us to come see them. No group is too big or two small.”
Recently, Dworschak’s attention has been focused on the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse, which will block about 82% of the sun in the Georgia sky around 3 p.m.
“My presentation includes instructions on what will be happening, how to use the eclipse glasses and how to safely watch the event,” he said. “We just need to hope for a clear day for viewing.”
Dworschak has hosted talks at the Dunwoody Nature Center, senior living facilities, and schools that focus on stars, the Hubble and Webb Space telescopes, and Apollo’s trips to the moon, a topic that is near to his heart.
“I was born in 1958, so I remember all those trips to the moon, which to me is just fascinating,” he said.
During Dworschak’s presentations to school groups, he is most often asked if there “is anything out there,” like civilizations similar to Earth and its galaxy system. Adults want to know when NASA is going to launch another expedition to the moon, and how much the space program costs.
The NASA Solar System Ambassadors has a rigorous qualification program for those who want to join the volunteer program, Dworschak said, with candidates having to undergo a background check, supply references, and write a…
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