Martin George is Curator of Astronomy at the Launceston Planetarium, which forms part of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in Launceston, Tasmania. He is also President and Fellow of the International Planetarium Society, the world body of planetarium professionals.
Martin was born in the UK and educated in Tasmania, Australia, gaining an honours degree in Physics (astronomy) at the University of Tasmania. Following this, he moved to Launceston (in northern Tasmania) to take up a position with the Queen Victoria Museum as Curator of Physical Sciences (now Curator of Astronomy) at the Museum's Launceston Planetarium. His principal role there is to run the Planetarium, which entails writing, recording and presenting planetarium programmes, and dealing with astronomical enquiries of all kinds, including legal matters. Martin has another major role at the Museum as its Manager of Collections and Information Services and is frequently Acting Director of the entire Museum.
Martin is a keen communicator of astronomy, making regular appearances on radio and television to discuss astronomy and space research. In particular, he has monthly astronomy programmes on ABC radio 7NT in Tasmania, and fortnightly programmes on ABC Radio National. His television appearances include Australia's Today Programme, on which he is often seen discussing popular astronomy and space matters.
Martin has kept close links with the University of Tasmania, and presents undergraduate courses in astronomy at the University’s Launceston Campus. He frequently speaks to community groups and the public on astronomical topics.
Martin has been involved in many other professional activities associated with his work at the Planetarium. He has a regular column in four Tasmanian Newspapers, most notably the column Space, which appears in each edition of the Sunday Tasmanian. In the past few years, he has co-authored two books, one of which is Advanced Stargazing. Martin was a contributing editor of the Australian magazine Sky and Space from its inception in 1988 until 2003, and is now contributor to the US magazine Astronomy; he also makes occasional contributions to Australian Sky and Telescope.
In 1986, Martin worked with Trans-Australia Airlines as astronomer and commentator for 'Comet Halley' flights. He also conducts astronomical tours: in 1998, he was a tour guide and lecturer for a group visiting astronomical places of interest in the United States and the Caribbean, and in 2002 led a tour to see the total solar eclipse in South Australia.
Martin is a member of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania; the Astronomical Society of Australia; the International Occultation Timing Association; and the International Planetarium Society, of which he is President, a Fellow, and current Chairman of the Language Committee.
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