Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
For centuries, the stars have inspired humanity, but in our modern, light-polluted world, many people have never truly seen the Milky Way. Mike Simmons has dedicated his life to changing that.
From leading astronomy expeditions in Turkey and Iran to founding Astronomers Without Borders and Astronomy for Equity, Simmons has brought the night sky to millions across the globe. He also played a key role in organizing 100 Hours of Astronomy during the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, one of the largest global science outreach events ever 🌌🌍.
In this episode of Chai on Science and Society, astrophysicist Salman Hameed sits down with Mike Simmons to explore his journey as an advocate for dark skies and global astronomy outreach. They discuss the importance of experiencing a star-filled night sky, why dark sky preservation matters for culture and science, and how astronomy can unite people across borders and communities.
If you're passionate about stargazing, dark sky advocacy, and the global movement to make astronomy accessible to everyone, this conversation is a must-watch 🔭✨.
#astronomynews #astronomyadventures #astronomy #astrophysics #darkskies #astronomers #equity #podcast #africa #iran #philanthropy #education #kainaatigupshup #esa #eso #nasa #iau #milkyway #galaxies #astronomyeducation #podcast #podcastclips
For more information, please visit the website for Astronomy for Equity: astro4equity.org
and for more information check out Astronomers without Borders:
shop.astronomerswithoutborders.org
Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios.
You can find more information about Kainaat Studios here:
kainaatstudios.com
Credits:
Host: Salman Hameed
Guest: Mike Simmons
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Butterfly in Space" by Zohaib Kazi
Support for Kainaat Studios is provided by:
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Sahr Foundation
Qazi Family Foundation
PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal
Ashraf Qazi
Aimen Khan
Slavena Emilova Molle
Abid & Farah Donation Fund
AIIR Foundation
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir
Dr. Asad Ansari
Dr. Salman Mallick
Dr. Tariq Hameed
Asif Alam
Zubair Faiz
Dr. Kamran Manzoor
Dr. Arsalan Malik
Junaid Qurashi
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you want to donate, please visit kainaatstudios.com/donate
For centuries, the stars have inspired humanity, but in our modern, light-polluted world, many people have never truly seen the Milky Way. Mike Simmons has dedicated his life to changing that.
From leading astronomy expeditions in Turkey and Iran to founding Astronomers Without Borders and Astronomy for Equity, Simmons has brought the night sky to millions across the globe. He also played a key role in organizing 100 Hours of Astronomy during the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, one of the largest global science outreach events ever 🌌🌍.
In this episode of Chai on Science and Society, astrophysicist Salman Hameed sits down with Mike Simmons to explore his journey as an advocate for dark skies and global astronomy outreach. They discuss the importance of experiencing a star-filled night sky, why dark sky preservation matters for culture and science, and how astronomy can unite people across borders and communities.
If you're passionate about stargazing, dark sky advocacy, and the global movement to make astronomy accessible to everyone, this conversation is a must-watch 🔭✨.
#astronomynews #astronomyadventures #astronomy #astrophysics #darkskies #astronomers #equity #podcast #africa #iran #philanthropy #education #kainaatigupshup #esa #eso #nasa #iau #milkyway #galaxies #astronomyeducation #podcast #podcastclips
For more information, please visit the website for Astronomy for Equity: astro4equity.org
and for more information check out Astronomers without Borders:
shop.astronomerswithoutborders.org
Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios.
You can find more information about Kainaat Studios here:
kainaatstudios.com
Credits:
Host: Salman Hameed
Guest: Mike Simmons
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Butterfly in Space" by Zohaib Kazi
Support for Kainaat Studios is provided by:
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Sahr Foundation
Qazi Family Foundation
PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal
Ashraf Qazi
Aimen Khan
Slavena Emilova Molle
Abid & Farah Donation Fund
AIIR Foundation
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir
Dr. Asad Ansari
Dr. Salman Mallick
Dr. Tariq Hameed
Asif Alam
Zubair Faiz
Dr. Kamran Manzoor
Dr. Arsalan Malik
Junaid Qurashi
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you want to donate, please visit kainaatstudios.com/donate
