Dr. E. C. Krupp
From AstronomyOutreach network
Edwin C. Krupp (born 1944), is an astronomer, author, and a recognized expert in the field of archeoastronomy. He has been the Director of the Griffith Observatory a major educational public outreach facility in Los Angeles since 1974.
Outreach
Krupp is known for his extensive publications on astronomical and science education topics and his promotion of astronomy to the general public via his books, columns, appearances in visual media and through the science communication programs at the observatory. Several of his books have won notable awards from institutions such as the American Institute of Physics and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. In particular, Krupp is noted for his specialist contributions and investigations in the field of archaeoastronomy on which he has written widely, including such books as In Search of Ancient Astronomies (1977) and Archaeoastronomy and the Roots of Science (1984).
Krupp hosted the astronomy educational series "Project Universe" on the American PBS channel in the late 1970s.
Griffith Observatory
Dr. E. C. Krupp became the Acting Director of Griffith Observatory in 1974 upon Dr. Kaufmann's departure (the "Acting" designation was dropped in 1976). Krupp had been hired in 1970 as a Planetarium Lecturer and been appointed Observatory Curator in 1972. Krupp undertook an effort to update some of the Hall of Science exhibits to reflect these discoveries. He oversaw development of new exhibits on galaxies, radio astronomy, and cosmic rays. Krupp also decided to extend the Observatory's curriculum to include his own personal passion for archaeoastronomy by creating planetarium shows such as "Stonehenge and Ancient Astronomy" and "In Search of Ancient Astronomers."
Krupp worked actively to dispel the public's superstition of celestial events. It was clear that irrational fears of the sky had not disappeared with time when, in 1982, nine planets of the solar system grouped together loosely on one side of the sun, heralding, according to the purveyors of doom, a phenomenon known as the "Jupiter Effect." The Observatory again had the responsibility of reassuring the public, in this instance, that the Jupiter Effect would not trigger the Great California Earthquake, as was pseudo-scientifically forecast.
Throughout his tenure as Director of Griffith Observatory, Krupp has worked to update the facility to embrace the technology and knowledge of our times in order to better serve the public.