Background
I have been a space and astronomy enthusiast for as long as I can remember, and I still have the Golden Book of Astronomy, which first introduced me to the wonders of outer space when I was still at Junior School.
Even today, with the competition from the Internet and other digital wizardry, books can still inspire people of all ages. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to write 13 books (11 about astronomy and space exploration), including the award-winning DK Guide to Space (see photo), which has recently been revised and updated with some spectacular new images.
I was the Consultant Editor for the Jane's Space Systems and Industry website and annual publication - one of the leading sources of information on all aspects of the global space industry - from May 2007 until May 2018. I have also acted as consultant / editor for many other books and space-related media.
My latest books are Rosetta: The Remarkable Story of Europe's Comet Explorer (Springer Praxis 2021), and Exploring the Solar System (Wiley-Blackwell 2012, revised edition published in 2020).
Previous books include: Space: A Children's Encyclopedia (Dorling Kindersley 2010); Jane’s Space Recognition Guide (HarperCollins in collaboration with Jane’s and the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 2008); Pop-Up Facts: Space (Templar, 2008); Distant Worlds: Milestones in Planetary Exploration (Springer-Copernicus-Praxis, 2007); The Continuing Story of the International Space Station (Springer Praxis 2002); Reaching for the Stars (Cassell 1994 and 1996); and Heroes In Space (Blackwell 1986), as well as two Geography text books.
I was a consultant/writer for the European Space Agency for many years, writing and editing brochures and reports, as well as writing innumerable articles for the ESA Bulletin and several of the Agency’s web sites.
Since the mid-1980s, I have also written hundreds of articles on space and astronomy for the European Space Agency, and for British and American newspapers and magazines, as well as material for the Dorling Kindersley Children's Encyclopedia, Sunday Times Window On The Universe CD-ROM, the Nature-IOP Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Microsoft Encarta Reference Library and Philip’s Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
I have reviewed many books for The Observatory magazine and been an adviser or consultant for books such as Factivity Space (published by Parragon in 2016), which won a gold award in the Junior Design Awards, and various publications by Dorling Kindersley, such as Escape From Earth (by Peter Ackroyd), Space Revealed and e.explore Space Travel.
I have also occasionally moderated or introduced speakers at major space conferences, including The 1991 European Space Conference in Paris and Astrofest in London.
I was a full-time Geography teacher for many years, eventually becoming a Head of Department. After leaving the teaching profession to concentrate on my writing career, I became the Space Science Advisor / Press Officer for the Royal Astronomical Society 1995-2007, frequently appearing on TV and radio to comment on the latest space discoveries and events.
I am also a Fellow of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Interplanetary Society, and a member of the Planetary Society.
I received a certificate from ESA in 2005 for an "outstanding contribution" to the outreach programme for ESA's Cluster mission, and a Group Achievement Award from NASA in 2004.
My current home town is Cranleigh, Surrey, which is reputed to be the largest village in England.
Even today, with the competition from the Internet and other digital wizardry, books can still inspire people of all ages. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to write 13 books (11 about astronomy and space exploration), including the award-winning DK Guide to Space (see photo), which has recently been revised and updated with some spectacular new images.
I was the Consultant Editor for the Jane's Space Systems and Industry website and annual publication - one of the leading sources of information on all aspects of the global space industry - from May 2007 until May 2018. I have also acted as consultant / editor for many other books and space-related media.
My latest books are Rosetta: The Remarkable Story of Europe's Comet Explorer (Springer Praxis 2021), and Exploring the Solar System (Wiley-Blackwell 2012, revised edition published in 2020).
Previous books include: Space: A Children's Encyclopedia (Dorling Kindersley 2010); Jane’s Space Recognition Guide (HarperCollins in collaboration with Jane’s and the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 2008); Pop-Up Facts: Space (Templar, 2008); Distant Worlds: Milestones in Planetary Exploration (Springer-Copernicus-Praxis, 2007); The Continuing Story of the International Space Station (Springer Praxis 2002); Reaching for the Stars (Cassell 1994 and 1996); and Heroes In Space (Blackwell 1986), as well as two Geography text books.
I was a consultant/writer for the European Space Agency for many years, writing and editing brochures and reports, as well as writing innumerable articles for the ESA Bulletin and several of the Agency’s web sites.
Since the mid-1980s, I have also written hundreds of articles on space and astronomy for the European Space Agency, and for British and American newspapers and magazines, as well as material for the Dorling Kindersley Children's Encyclopedia, Sunday Times Window On The Universe CD-ROM, the Nature-IOP Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Microsoft Encarta Reference Library and Philip’s Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
I have reviewed many books for The Observatory magazine and been an adviser or consultant for books such as Factivity Space (published by Parragon in 2016), which won a gold award in the Junior Design Awards, and various publications by Dorling Kindersley, such as Escape From Earth (by Peter Ackroyd), Space Revealed and e.explore Space Travel.
I have also occasionally moderated or introduced speakers at major space conferences, including The 1991 European Space Conference in Paris and Astrofest in London.
I was a full-time Geography teacher for many years, eventually becoming a Head of Department. After leaving the teaching profession to concentrate on my writing career, I became the Space Science Advisor / Press Officer for the Royal Astronomical Society 1995-2007, frequently appearing on TV and radio to comment on the latest space discoveries and events.
I am also a Fellow of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Interplanetary Society, and a member of the Planetary Society.
I received a certificate from ESA in 2005 for an "outstanding contribution" to the outreach programme for ESA's Cluster mission, and a Group Achievement Award from NASA in 2004.
My current home town is Cranleigh, Surrey, which is reputed to be the largest village in England.