About Me

Once upon a time, a wide-eyed toddler watched the Moon landings on a flickering black-and-white TV and decided that space was way cooler than cartoons. That toddler was Tom Campbell, who grew up to be an IT software developer, NASA Solar System Ambassador, and seasoned astronomy educator.

With a degree in computer science and a career spanning software development and computer support since 1989, Tom has applied his technical skills both professionally and to his passion for astronomy. Whether troubleshooting complex computer issues or fine-tuning telescopes, this blend of expertise fuels his ability to share the cosmos in creative and effective ways.

For years, Tom and his trusty Dobsonian telescope have traveled across Texas, leading hundreds of outreach events and helping thousands of people peer into the cosmos. He served as the outreach coordinator for the Brazos Valley Astronomy Club for eight years, growing its public outreach and inspiring countless stargazers.

But beware! The wicked Witch-Head Nebula once cursed him with eternal cloud cover. Ever since, Tom has battled the skies with weather apps, backup solar system models, and an unshakable optimism that even the gloomiest forecast can't dampen.

When he's not dodging clouds, Tom writes stories, such as the Stargazer Sue children's books, which inspire young explorers to look up and wonder. These days, he continues to share the night sky with the community - living happily ever after in College Station with his wife and an ever-growing family of telescopes, whenever the skies allow.

More About My Background
What is a Solar System Ambassador?

For more than 25 years, the NASA Solar System Ambassadors program has been a public engagement effort that works with motivated volunteers across the nation to communicate the science and excitement of NASA's space exploration missions and discoveries with the people in their communities.

Learn more about it here.

Meet My Telescopes

Curious about the gear I use? Meet my ever-growing family of telescopes on the Equipment Page.

Writing & Projects

I've written two children's books about astronomy and am currently working on a sci-fi story called Fractures...

Why Do Outreach?

Outreach takes effort.

Why haul heavy gear across town? Why stand for hours in the Texas heat or winter chill? Why risk expensive equipment, wear on my vehicle, and strain on my body - all for free?

Because the sky is worth sharing.

Over the years, I've looked through my telescopes and seen things most people only glimpse in magazines or online. Every planet in our solar system (yes, even Pluto). The shattered remains of ancient stars. Stellar nurseries where newborn suns begin to shine. Galaxies so distant, the light you see from them tonight began its journey when dinosaurs still walked the Earth.

I enjoy observing from my driveway. But what's even better is sharing those views. Watching a mountain's shadow crawl across a lunar crater. Seeing Martian ice caps shift with the seasons. Showing someone Jupiter's Great Red Spot - a storm large enough to swallow Earth. Or pointing to a red giant star, teetering on the edge of collapse.

These sights don't just inform - they inspire. They spark imagination, stir questions, and sometimes light a lifelong flame of curiosity. Astronomy isn't just for scientists. It's the Universe itself - vast, ancient, and real - calling out to everyone: come and see, and know that you're part of it too.

For anyone who's ever looked up in wonder - I do it for you.

Want to Reach Me?

If you're interested in reaching me, you can email me.