Letter to Administrator Bridenstine - Help Launch Walkway Over the Hudson Programming Into A New Galaxy

Letter

Dear Administrator Bridenstine,

I write in strong support of the Walkway Over the Hudson's application to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to help facilitate the attendance of an astronaut to one of the organization's well-known community STARWALK events sometime this year.

Walkway over the Hudson is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and improvement of the Walkway over the Hudson State Park located in Highland, New York. This group has organized previous astronomy-focused events, such as the Moonwalk series, which have averaged attendance of more than 2,000 local community members, as well as students and adults of all ages per event. I know that NASA has a strong history of supporting educational initiatives, especially in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. I believe that NASA's broad participation in this programming would support those goals, as well as engage the public on NASA's broader missions. Additionally, I believe that NASA sending an astronaut to a STARWALK has the ability to help inspire the local community, especially our students, to develop into the next generation of scientists and to reach for the stars.

STARWALK is an astronomically themed program designed to be fun, educational and interactive for beginner and advanced stargazers alike. Open and free to the public, Starwalk offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the stars and for the community to enjoy the horizon-to-horizon view of the night sky on the Walkway Over the Hudson. STARWALK events include introductions to the night sky, viewing constellations through telescopes, and nighttime photography tips. These types of community events can only be enhanced by NASA's participation, especially by that of an astronaut. As you know, astronauts are respected and admired for both their scientific knowledge and their life achievements. I am sure that the presence of a NASA astronaut would provide inspiration and insight into the importance of both science and astronomical research to all those who attend.

These events are being held in partnership with the Friends of the Walkway Over the Hudson, Vassar College, Marist College, the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association, the John R. Kirk Planetarium at SUNY New Paltz, and many other local partners.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff.

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