Mike Simmons has been involved in astronomy education and public outreach for more than 35 years. He has led and founded outreach organizations that share the work of astronomers and telescopic views of the sky with the public. He is a writer and photographer who has contributed to various publications, including Scientific American, Astronomy and Sky and Telescope, and he regularly gives presentations on astronomy.
Recognizing astronomy as a universal interest that transcends cultural differences, Mike founded Astronomers Without Borders in 2006. He now serves as President of this effort to unite astronomy and space enthusiasts around the world through those common interests. Mike and Astronomers Without Borders held leadership roles in the International Year of Astronomy 2009, a UN-declared year that sought to bring astronomy to the public worldwide while conveying its importance to our common heritage and experiences. Minor Planet Simmons was named in his honor in 2003, in part for his “varied outreach activities in astronomy”.