Michael E. Bakich


Exploring the Universe: A Laboratory Guide for Astronomy
(Morton Publishing, January 2015)
Click the image to see a 12-page brochure


Bakich is a veteran observer who has logged
thousands of hours at telescopes of all sizes.

About Front Page Science

Michael E. Bakich, owner of Front Page Science, has been fascinated with the stars all his life. His astronomical journey began when he was in third grade, after his parents bought him a set of constellation flash cards. From that day forward, his goal was to become an astronomer.

Prior to joining the staff of Astronomy magazine (where he presently works), Bakich’s days revolved around serving in seven planetariums as a technician, program manager, and director. When he stopped working under the dome, he became a consultant, lecturer, and writer. He has written three books for Cambridge University Press, one for Springer, and one for Morton Publishing.

Front Page Science started as a dream in 1996 when Bakich realized that the centerline of a total solar eclipse 21 years in the future would pass through St. Joseph, Missouri, the city where his wife grew up and where her parents still reside.

What started as an idea to have an “eclipse bar-b-que” has evolved into a desire to bring this event, free of charge, to tens of thousands of people at Rosecrans Memorial Airport and hundreds of thousands more in the St. Joseph and Kansas City area.




2014 . . . Click to see a timeline of our activities . . . 2017







Michael E. Bakich:

  • is Senior Editor and Photo Editor for Astronomy magazine.
  • has authored five books on astronomy.
  • holds one of only six degrees ever awarded in Planetarium Education.
  • has traveled to 13 total solar eclipses as guide and eclipse expert.
  • has written and produced dozens of planetarium programs.
  • serves on the American Astronomical Society Steering Committee for the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.
  • Asteroid 131245 Bakich is named for him.



Sponsorship Opportunities

We’d like you to join our team as a sponsor. The eclipse event that Front Page Science is hosting at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, along with the many associated activities we’re planning, will be one of the greatest public science spectacles ever.

Some 100,000 people or more will experience the event on site, and because we will broadcast the event live (working with a local radio station partner) we have the potential of reaching a listening audience of 2.3 million more.

Front Page Science will present all programs free of charge to the public, but the activities will incur costs that we have to defray.

In addition to financial supporters, Front Page Science will be working with print, online, radio, and television sponsors, as well as regional astronomy clubs. Getting the word out will be paramount to this event’s success. We’d like to thank our sponsors for the time and resources they commit to this spectacular event.