Jim Teslow is an actual rocket scientist and educator with a lot of cruise enrichment experience as onboard astronomer. He specializes in making complex subject matter understandable, memorable and fun. His goal is to provide guests with a few nuggets of information and new skills so that they are able to dazzle friends and family when they get home. He obtained his undergraduate aerospace engineering degree at University of Washington, and two Masters degrees and a PhD at University of Colorado. He is a member of the American Astronomical Society. Jim practiced aerospace engineering for 30 years. His work included rocket propulsion analysis and design, launch support, new technology research, and business development.

He became interested in education, obtained a teaching certificate, and taught secondary science and mathematics for the U.S. Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Germany and Japan. After earning a doctorate in Instructional Technology, he conducted post-doc research at Texas A&M University, and taught several graduate courses in educational technology, research methods, and instructional design at University of Colorado.

He now enjoys entertaining and teaching on ships, and long-distance walking.

In addition to the lectures below, Dr. Teslow is delighted to offer stargazing sessions during the voyage, weather permitting and if approved. Stargazing sessions on several ships have included his expert use of onboard telescopes and planetariums. On deck, the use of a planisphere and stargazing cell phone apps for both iPhone and Android are demonstrated, as well as traditional astronomer tricks for finding stars/constellations, and even how to use your fist to find your latitude. Dr. Teslow can be found on deck at 10:00 PM on all clear nights of every cruise, and when appropriate, coordinates with the Bridge to minimize light pollution.

Also, please note that cruise-specific events related to topics such as Northern Lights, eclipses, meteor showers, comets, tides, satellite and space station sightings, rocket launch viewing, and engineering projects (Panama Canal, Venice flood control, etc.) will be incorporated into lecture and deck sessions.

Dr. Teslow welcomes the opportunity to serve as a shore excursion escort.

As a special complimentary service, Dr. Teslow, a Cambridge University certified (CELTA) English teacher, would be happy to mentor crew members on their English grammar and pronunciation.

Entertaining and informational presentations to choose from:

1. The Northern Lights - Join Dr. Jim Teslow for a discussion of the science and lore of the magnificent Aurora Borealis. Photography tips will also be shared..

2. Our Future in Space - Join Dr. Jim Teslow as he describes current missions and plans for future space exploration.

3. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - Participate in a lively discussion with Dr. JimTeslow and consider whether there are alien life-forms in the universe.

4. The Race to the Moon - Join Dr. Jim Teslow as we celebrate the first manned moon landing with inside information from a space science expert.

5. Amazing Astronomy - Join Dr. Jim Teslow for a fascinating look into the science of astronomy including the Big Bang, constellations, our Solar System, galaxies and black holes.

6. Stars and Black Holes - Join Dr. Jim Teslow for a continuation of astronomy topics, including the birth and death of stars, pulsars, and super massive black holes. He will discuss current theories and areas of research.

7. The History of Rockets - Join Aerospace Engineer, Dr. Jim Teslow, as he takes us on a journey through the history of rockets and how they work, from the earliest rockets to modern reliable rockets.

8. It Is Rocket Science: Life as an Aerospace Engineer - In this presentation Dr. Jim Teslow will provide an interesting look at his 30-year career working on U.S. Air Force and NASA space projects.

9. Why Your Car is so well-engineered: Six-sigma Quality - Join Aerospace Engineer, Dr. Jim Teslow, as he describes modern manufacturing quality control. The audience will help improve a common household problem by participating in a mini-Kaizen.

10. Three-two-one ... Liftoff: Space Program Successes and Disasters - Join Aerospace Engineer, Dr. Jim Teslow, as he chronicles the highs and lows of mankind's space adventures.

11. Rocket Development - Join Aerospace Engineer, Dr. Jim Teslow, as he describes past and future rocket designs.

12. Relativity Simplified - Join Dr. Jim Teslow for a discussion of this complex topic in understandable language.

13. Long Distance Walking: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It - Join Dr. Jim Teslow for a Q&A session with tips for walking from village to village in Europe along way-marked trails.

I have presented talks and conducted stargazing/planetarium sessions on these ships:

RCCL Navigator of the Seas, November 2016, Guest Speaker
RCCL Freedom of the Seas, May 2017, Guest Speaker
RCCL Navigator of the Seas, November 2017, Guest Speaker
RCCL Navigator of the Seas, April 2018, Guest Speaker
Viking Ocean Orion, September 2018, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Orion, October 2018, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Sky, February 2019, Astronomer
Viking Ocean Sky, February-March 2019, Astronomer
Viking Ocean Orion, July 2019, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Orion, July 2019, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, September 2019, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, September-October 2019, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, October 2019, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Orion, December 2021, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Orion, December 2021-January 2022, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, March 2023-April 2023, Viking Resident Astronomer
Celebrity Beyond, April 2023-May 2023, Guest Speaker
Viking Ocean Jupiter, September 2023-October 2023, Viking Resident Astronomer
Fred Olsen Borealis, January 2024, Guest Speaker
Viking Ocean Venus February 2024, Guest Speaker
Viking Ocean Venus March 2024, Guest Speaker
Viking Ocean Venus March 2024, Guest Speaker
Viking Ocean Orion, June 2024, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Orion, June 2024, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, September 2024, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, October 2024, Viking Resident Astronomer
Viking Ocean Jupiter, October 2024, Viking Resident Astronomer

Viking Sky Cruise Director Comments: Jim was a super star for both of his 2 cruises with us. Good feedback from guests. "Making a very complicated subject easier to understand for normal people.” This was the sentiment I received from many guests. They liked the fact that he did not talk over their heads. Nor did he dumb it down to insult their intelligence.

Viking Jupiter Cruise Director Comments: Dr. Teslow is an excellent example of everything we want in a VRA. He is knowledgeable, personable, our own rocket scientist, and an excellent and engaging speaker. He goes above and beyond and is an excellent ambassador for the brand. He gets people excited and does a brilliant job with the dome and star gazing.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.