Becoming a NASA Solar System Ambassador: A New Chapter in My Journey

Every once in a while, life offers a moment that feels both humbling and electrifying—one of those rare milestones that remind you why you chose a path of curiosity, service, and wonder. For me, that moment arrived with a letter from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), officially welcoming me as a Solar System Ambassador for 2022.

The Solar System Ambassadors Program is a volunteer public engagement initiative managed by JPL in Pasadena, California. Its mission is simple yet powerful: connect communities with the excitement of space exploration, scientific discovery, and humanity’s ongoing journey into the cosmos. To be selected as part of this network of educators, communicators, and space enthusiasts is an honor I carry with deep gratitude.

What This Role Means

As an Ambassador, I’ll be working with local communities—schools, libraries, organizations, and public events—to share NASA’s latest missions, discoveries, and educational resources. It’s a chance to bridge the gap between cutting‑edge science and everyday curiosity, helping people of all ages feel connected to the universe above us.

NASA provides training, resources, and support to ensure that Ambassadors can represent the program with accuracy and enthusiasm. After completing the required orientation and online modules, I’ll be able to host events, give talks, collaborate with educators, and contribute to outreach efforts throughout the year.

A Commitment to Service and Learning

Along with the acceptance letter came the official volunteer agreement and media release forms—formal steps that mark the beginning of this journey. They outline the responsibilities of the role, the protections offered to volunteers, and the expectations for participating in NASA‑sponsored outreach activities.

Signing them felt symbolic: a promise to serve my community, to keep learning, and to share the wonder of exploration with others.

Looking Ahead

I’m excited for the opportunities this role will bring—new collaborations, new audiences, and new ways to inspire curiosity. Space exploration has always been a story of collective effort, and being part of that story, even in a small way, is something I deeply cherish.

As I begin this new chapter, I look forward to bringing more space‑themed content, events, and reflections to this blog. Thank you for being part of the journey.

The cosmos is vast, and our curiosity is the bridge that connects us to it.

The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

 "The Selfish Gene" is a popular science book written by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. It was first published in 1976 and has since become a classic in the field of biology and evolutionary theory. In the book, Dawkins introduces the concept of the "selfish gene," which suggests that genes, rather than individuals or species, are the driving force behind evolution.

Dawkins maintains that genes are the units of selection in evolution and that they act in their own self-interest to ensure their own survival and replication. He explains how this perspective can help us understand various aspects of biology, including altruism, kin selection, and the evolution of social behaviour.

"The Selfish Gene" is known for its clear and engaging writing style, as well as its controversial ideas that have sparked debates and discussions in the scientific community and beyond. The book has had a significant influence in the fields of biology, evolutionary psychology, and popular science.

Now I have decided to give him another chance, although I must admit that I am not a fan of the books he has written, and unfortunately, this book has not changed my opinion about it.

Eurobyte Asteroid Occultation

After a long day, all kinds of difficulties and temperatures of -0.5c. I am very happy to report that the search for the asteroid Eurybates was a success.

The cooperation with Recon to collect data for NASA's Lucy mission is amazing.

No other space mission in history has launched to so many different destinations in independent orbits around our Sun. Lucy will show us, for the first time, the diversity of the primordial bodies that built the planets.

Knowing that I have been able to contribute my grain of sand to this effort makes me proud.

Letters from an Astrophysicist

 For me there are no scientific contributions, it is more to see the human side of this group of scientists

Publisher's Summary

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has attracted one of the world’s largest online followings with his fascinating, widely accessible insights into science and our universe. Now, Tyson invites us to go behind the scenes of his public fame by unveiling his candid correspondence with people across the globe who have sought him out in search of answers. In this hand-picked collection of 100 letters, Tyson draws upon cosmic perspectives to address a vast array of questions about science, faith, philosophy, life, and of course, Pluto. His succinct, opinionated, passionate, and often funny responses reflect his popularity and standing as a leading educator.  

Tyson’s 2017 best seller Astrophysics for People in a Hurry offered more than one million readers an insightful and accessible understanding of the universe. Now, revealing Tyson’s most candid and heartfelt writing yet, Letters from an Astrophysicist introduces us to a newly personal dimension of Tyson’s quest to understand our place in the cosmos. 

The full list of narrators includes Victor Bevine, Gabriel Vaughan, Lauren Fortgang, Neil Hellegers, Kevin Free, Vikas Adam, Nick Sullivan, Gabra Zackman, Allyson Johnson, Brandon Rubin, and Piper Goodeve.

©2019 Neil deGrasse Tyson (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Humankind

Is a turn-based strategy game. It was released in 2021 and features a unique take on the 4X genre (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate), offering players the opportunity to guide a civilization through multiple eras of human history.

One of the most notable features of Humankind is its emphasis on player choice and customization. Instead of playing as a fixed civilization throughout the game, players are free to create their own unique civilization by combining aspects of different cultures as they progress through the ages. This dynamic system allows for a high degree of flexibility and replayability, as players can experiment with different combinations and strategies in each match.

Humankind's gameplay is deep and engaging. Players must manage resources, expand their cities, conduct research, engage in diplomacy, and wage war against other civilizations. The game strikes a good balance between complexity and accessibility, making it fun for both newcomers to the genre and experienced strategy game players.

The visual presentation of Humankind is impressive. The game features detailed and colorful graphics that bring different historical eras to life. The landscapes, cities and units are well designed and visually attractive, we must also highlight the soundtrack for each civilization, which contributes to the player's immersion in the game world.

Humankind also offers a robust multiplayer mode, allowing players to compete or cooperate with others in their quest for mastery. The multiplayer experience adds an extra layer of challenge and excitement, as human opponents can be unpredictable and offer unique strategies.

However, humanity is not without flaws. Some players have criticized the game for the behavior of the AI, which can sometimes be inconsistent or make questionable decisions. While the AI has been improved through updates and patches, some players may still want a greater challenge in single-player matches.

Additionally, the endgame can feel somewhat repetitive, with fewer options for meaningful decisions and a lack of distinct events or challenges. This can decrease excitement and engagement in the later stages of the game.

Overall, Humankind is an innovative and well-designed addition to the 4X strategy genre. Its emphasis on player choice, customization, and historical eras sets it apart from other games in the genre. While it may have some minor flaws, the game offers a compelling and immersive experience for strategy game enthusiasts. If you like building civilizations, exploring history, and engaging in strategic games, Humankind is definitely worth considering.

Elon Musk Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

With this book we can see a little more about Elon's personality, and personally he is not a person that has my estimation or appreciation. I understand how easy it is to admire him for all that he is contributing to various industries, but it is very likely that he does not have any appreciation for human beings.

Publisher's Summary

In the spirit of Steve Jobs and Moneyball, Elon Musk is both an illuminating and authorized look at the extraordinary life of one of Silicon Valley's most exciting, unpredictable, and ambitious entrepreneurs - a real-life Tony Stark - and a fascinating exploration of the renewal of American invention and its new makers.

Elon Musk spotlights the technology and vision of Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and innovator behind SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity, who sold one of his Internet companies, PayPal, for $1.5 billion. Ashlee Vance captures the full spectacle and arc of the genius' life and work, from his tumultuous upbringing in South Africa and flight to the United States to his dramatic technical innovations and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Vance uses Musk's story to explore one of the pressing questions of our age: Can the nation of inventors and creators who led the modern world for a century still compete in an age of fierce global competition? He argues that Musk - one of the most unusual and striking figures in American business history - is a contemporary, visionary amalgam of legendary inventors and industrialists, including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, and Steve Jobs. More than any other entrepreneur today, Musk has dedicated his energies and his own vast fortune to inventing a future that is as rich and far reaching as the visionaries of the golden age of science-fiction fantasy.

We Have No Idea A Guide to the Unknown Universe

 Prepare to learn everything we still don't know about our strange and mysterious Universe.

Humanity's understanding of the physical world is full of gaps. Not tiny little gaps you can safely ignore - there are huge yawning voids in our basic notions of how the world works. PHD Comics creator Jorge Cham and particle physicist Daniel Whiteson have teamed up to explore everything we don't know about the Universe: The enormous holes in our knowledge of the cosmos. Armed with entertaining and lucid explanations of science, they give us the best answers currently available for a lot of questions that are still perplexing scientists, including:

Why does the Universe have a speed limit?

Why aren't we all made of antimatter?

What (or who) is attacking Earth with tiny, superfast particles?

What is dark matter, and why does it keep ignoring us?

It turns out the Universe is full of weird things that don't make any sense. But Cham and Whiteson make a compelling case that the questions we can't answer are as interesting as the ones we can.

This introduction to the biggest mysteries in physics also helpfully demystifies many complicated things we do know about, from quarks and neutrinos to gravitational waves and exploding black holes. With equal doses of humor and delight, Cham and Whiteson invite us to see the Universe as a possibly boundless expanse of uncharted territory that's still ours to explore.

Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth

This book has a very good storytelling format. It is a book for all ages, I liked it a lot

Monsters, mystery, and magic abound in this stunning, illustrated collection of original fairy tales from the World of Warcraft universe, as told by an all-star cast of bestselling, award-winning storytellers.

The power of stories is felt and known in every corner of Azeroth. From the windswept fields of the Eastern Kingdoms to the bustling city of Gadgetzan, differences were bridged by common tales of average people overcoming incredible odds. Lessons learned from cautionary tales tempered many brave heroes and brought them safely home, while stories of adventure spurred history’s most remarkable actors to greatness. Now you too can settle in, lay down your armour, and listen to the wonderous tales of adventure and peril in the Folk and Fairy Tales of Azeroth. Brimming with gorgeous artwork and twelve inspired stories crafted by fantasy’s brightest authors including Garth Nix, Catherynne M. Valente,

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

I really liked this book, it manages to keep everything complicated in a simple and easy to follow format.

Summary

What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit into the universe? How does the universe fit inside us? There is no better guide to these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.

But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe to Earth succinctly and clearly, with brilliant wit, in digestible chapters that can be consumed anytime, anywhere during your busy day. While you wait for your morning coffee to brew, or while you wait for the bus, train, or plane to arrive, Astrophysics for People in a Rush will reveal exactly what you need to get fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the big bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

New Image of the supermassive black hole M-87

This image is the next level since you can see the direction of the lines on the total intensity marks the direction of the oscillations of the electric vector of electromagnetic waves, thanks to the view in polarized light.

 In a time when the world seemed to grind to a halt under the shadow of a pandemic, many found refuge and adventure within the vast digital confines of Valheim. This brutal multiplayer survival game not only captured the imagination of millions across the globe but also became a beacon of social connection during times of isolation.

Imagine awakening as a valiant warrior fallen in battle. The Valkyries, the divine warriors of the ancient Norse pantheon, have chosen you to continue their journey in Valheim, the tenth world of Viking mythology. A vast, procedurally generated purgatory awaits your exploration, filled with landscapes inspired by the epic sagas of old: shadowy forests, snow-capped mountains, and plains where the wind whispers tales of the past.

In your hands rests the responsibility as the youngest guardian of this realm. Your mission is clear yet challenging: confront the creatures of chaos and Odin's ancient rivals to bring order to the primordial world. At first, you find yourself in the peaceful, unarmed heart of Valheim, where all seems tranquil. However, you will soon discover that every brave soul is rewarded by the gods, and glory awaits you along the way.

Valheim invites players to embark on an epic journey: building Viking fortresses, forging deadly weapons, and crafting sturdy armor. You are not only a warrior but also a world-builder. Your crafting skills are put to the test as you raise settlements and majestic structures while exploring the game's vast landscape.

The adventure doesn't end on land; here, building your own ship is an art form in itself. From fragile vessels to powerful warships, sailing the vast oceans symbolizes the relentless pursuit of new lands and unknown challenges. However, the temptation to venture too far is real, for the sea holds secrets that can only be revealed by those with courage and ingenuity.

This is the link to my videos on YouTube

In this world, you are not alone; Valheim offers the chance to join forces with trusted allies in its exciting cooperative multiplayer mode. Exploring separate servers and infinite worlds alongside other players fosters camaraderie and collective strategy, delivering a shared experience that transcends borders.

Combat is a delicate art here: dodging, blocking, and precise striking are key to facing legendary creatures and vengeful bosses. The reward for each victory is twofold: trophies that allow you to craft powerful new items and progress on your heroic journey.

The flexibility in building homes and bases offers unparalleled creative freedom, where you can design everything from simple farms to majestic castles. The intuitive crafting reflects the spirit of the ancient Vikings: forging weapons and skillfully preparing food and drink.

When Valheim launched in Early Access in February 2021, it quickly became a global phenomenon. Its unique blend of building, survival, and cooperation provided the perfect escape during the pandemic lockdowns. Groups of friends found a way to connect and share meaningful experiences through gaming, reaffirming its relevance and success even in challenging times.

Valheim is not just a game; it's an epic experience that invites us to be brave, creative, and fearless. It's a call from the gods to find the glory and adventure that lies within each of us, driven by the eternal yearning to explore the unknown and live our own Viking sagas.

Cosmic Queries by James Trefil, Lindsey N. Walker - editor, Neil deGrasse Tyson

For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offer a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast. In this illuminating audiobook, Tyson and coauthor James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia - How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone? - and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the building blocks of astrophysics, this relatable and entertaining audiobook will engage and inspire listeners of all ages, bring sophisticated concepts within reach, and offer a window into the complexities of the cosmos.

For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offer a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast. In this illuminating audiobook, Tyson and coauthor James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia - How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone? - and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the building blocks of astrophysics, this relatable and entertaining audiobook will engage and inspire listeners of all ages, bring sophisticated concepts within reach, and offer a window into the complexities of the cosmos.

Norse Mythology

This book is wonderful to be introduced to Norse mythology, I would have liked it to exist when I was young, as expected the writer chooses some less canonical or controversial parts but even if it is very good to expand the knowledge of Norse mythology

 

Publisher's Summary

Introducing an instant classic - master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.

Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction about him. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a brave rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of a giant, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman's deft and witty prose the gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

©2017 Neil Gaiman (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

A Wrinkle in Time

 I liked it a lot, but I think the book deals with things that are more for adults but with a narrative for teenagers, it has an interesting approach when it comes to denouncing social problems.

Summary

One night, thirteen-year-old Meg Murry meets an eccentric new neighbor, Mrs. Whatsit, who refers to something called a tesseract. She later discovers that it is a scientific concept her father was working on before her mysterious disappearance. The next day, Meg, her boy genius brother Charles, and their schoolmate Calvin visit Mrs. Whatsit's house, where the equally strange Mrs. Who and the unseen voice of Mrs. Which promise to help Meg find her way. find and rescue his father.

Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which turn out to be supernatural beings who transport Meg, Charles Wallace and Calvin O'Keefe through the universe by means of a tesseract, a fifth-dimensional phenomenon explained as the folding of the fabric of space and time. . ; this way of traveling is called tessing. Your first stop is the planet Uriel, a utopian world filled with centaur-like beings who live in a state of light and love. The Mrs. Ws reveal to the children that the universe is under attack by an evil being who appears as a large dark cloud called The Black Thing, who is essentially evil personified. The children are taken to Orion's Belt to visit the Happy Medium, a woman with a crystal ball through which they see that the Earth is partially covered in darkness, although great religious figures, philosophers, scientists and artists have been fighting her. Mrs Whatsit is revealed to be a former star who blew herself up in an act of self-sacrifice to fight the darkness.

The children travel to the dark planet of Camazotz, which has succumbed to the Black Thing and where Meg's father is trapped because he would not succumb to the group mind that makes the inhabitants behave mechanically. To find her father, Charles Wallace deliberately hypnotizes himself. He leads Meg and Calvin to the place where Meg's father, Alexander, is being held prisoner. Charles Wallace then leads them to TI, the evil disembodied brain with powerful abilities who controls the planet. Using the special powers of Mrs. Who's glasses, Alexander takes Calvin, Meg, and himself to the planet Ixchel before IT can control them all. Charles Wallace stays behind, still under TI's influence, and Meg is paralyzed from injuries sustained during the journey. An inhabitant of the planet with featureless faces, tentacles, and four arms proves to be wise and gentle and cures Meg's paralysis, leading her to nickname her "Aunt Beast".

The trio of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which arrive and task Meg with rescuing Charles Wallace from IT. Arriving at the building where TI resides, they find Charles Wallace under TI's influence. Inspired by Mrs. W's clues, Meg focuses all of her love on Charles Wallace and succeeds in freeing him from TI's control. Afterwards, everyone returns to Earth and Mrs. W leaves.

Sapiens A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

This book is going to change the way you see the world, history and your own existence. This provocative and insightful work is sure to spark debate. "Sapiens" has an engaging writing style, an ambitious scope, and an ability to synthesize complex ideas in an accessible way.

First published in Hebrew in Israel in 2011, and then translated into English and published in 2014. The book surveys the history of humankind from the evolution of Homo sapiens in the Stone Age up to the political and technological revolutions of the 21st century.

Harari's work is characterized by a focus on broad historical narratives, informed by insights from many different disciplines, including history, biology, anthropology, and economics. In "Sapiens", he organizes the narrative around several key "revolutions" that have fundamentally reshaped human societies:

The Cognitive Revolution (c. 70,000 years ago), was when Homo sapiens began to develop dramatically more complex forms of communication and social organization.

The Agricultural Revolution (c. 10,000 years ago), led to the development of farming, permanent settlements, and a massive increase in human population.

The Unification of Humankind, through the development of interconnected societies and global trade networks.

The Scientific Revolution (c. 500 years ago), has led to the modern era of technological progress and political and cultural change.

In the book, Harari discusses how Homo sapiens came to dominate the world, how and why we created the societies and cultures we live in, and where we might be heading in the future. He also delves into concepts like money, religion, and happiness, providing a thought-provoking and often challenging overview of human history.

Harari's work is not explicitly humanist, but it does often focus on the power of human beliefs, actions, and institutions in shaping history. He explores the ways in which Homo sapiens, through our unique cognitive abilities, have created complex societies, cultures, and technologies. This reflects a humanist emphasis on the role of human action and decision-making in shaping the world.

However, Harari also challenges some aspects of humanism. For instance, he questions the idea of individual agency, suggesting that our decisions and actions are often driven by unconscious biases, genetic factors, and social pressures. He also criticizes the humanist focus on individual human life as the ultimate source of meaning and value, pointing out that this perspective has led to negative consequences, such as environmental destruction and animal suffering.

In his exploration of the future of humankind, Harari explores the potential for technologies like artificial intelligence and genetic engineering to change what it means to be fundamentally human. This is a challenge to humanism in that it questions the fixed nature of 'humanity' and suggests that our understanding of ourselves may need to evolve in the future.

"Sapiens" offers a lot to think about. It affirms the importance of human agency and the power of human-created systems and ideas, while also challenging some of the assumptions and potential limitations of humanist philosophy.

Winter Wonderland week 3

Cool Roadhog

This 9-win challenge rewards you every three with a unique gift.

This Week is Roadhog

It's funny that he's a really bad snowman.

I already have it.

Cool roadhog