Above the Atmosphere

Here at the Mount Washington Observatory, we constantly have our eyes trained on the sky. National Public Radio's Pat Duggins has his eyes set even higher. As NPR's space correspondent, he has grown intimately familiar with America's space program, covering both great triumphs and tragic disasters.

At "Above the Atmosphere," the Observatory's spring fundraising event, Duggins will present a program that takes us inside NASA and the impending retirement of the Space Shuttle program.

In addition to the program, the event features hearty hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and a large silent auction. Event participants are encouraged to enjoy all that the Harvard Museum of Natural History has to offer. The museum's exhibit halls and retail shop will remain open to our event guests throughout the evening.

Space is limited – please make your reservations today! Call (800) 706-0432, ext. 206 or complete this registration form to reserve your tickets. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory.

"Above the Atmosphere"... a remarkable event in a spectacular setting, raising valuable funds for the Mount Washington Observatory. What a night!

About the Speaker

WMFE 90.7 (Orlando, FL) Senior News Analyst Pat Duggins is nationally known as NPR's resident "NASA expert," and author of the recently published "Final Countdown". Over the years, Pat has covered 85 Space Shuttle missions. This includes a 3 hour "live" broadcast during "Weekend Edition with Scott Simon" following the Columbia disaster.

Pat was among the first of NPR's contributing reporters to send news stories over the internet instead of "old-fashioned" telephones.

Duggins also covers more "down to earth" stories as well as hosting 90.7 Notebook, Morning Edition, and The Lawmakers on Orlando's Channel 24. Most recently, he led the news team during our round the clock coverage of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne and their aftermath. Pat has brought WMFE over twenty awards for journalistic excellence for radio and television. Perhaps his most memorable interview was with a window washer while sliding down Orlando's 35 story SunBank Center on a mountain climbing rope.

About the Venue

The Harvard Museum of Natural History was established in 1998 as the public face of three research museums: the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria, and the Mineralogical and Geological Museum. Presenting the incomparable collections of these parent museums and the research of scientists across the University, it has a mission to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it, sparking curiosity and a spirit of discovery in people of all ages.

Today, the museum reflects both the history of its parents and an evolution toward a 21st century institution that presents cutting-edge research, addresses contemporary issues, and offers creative educational experience in a unique, intimate setting.