Making science sexy and chatting with aliens | Pete Worden | TEDxSanQuentin 2016

In one Facebook list of the 50 most famous people on earth, there is only one scientist - Stephen Hawking. Can you think of another?? Listen to the former head of NASA AMES Research Center talk about his new foundation, its plans to make science sexy, and how to win millions by crafting a message to aliens. Simon Peter "Pete" Worden, (Brig. Gen., USAF, Ret., PhD) was Director of NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, until his retirement on March 31, 2015. On July 20, 2015 at the Royal Society in London, Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the Breakthrough Initiatives with Worden as Chairman. Prior to joining NASA, he held several positions in the United States Air Force and was research professor of astronomy at the University of Arizona, Tucson. He is a recognized expert on space issues – both civil and military. Dr. Worden has authored or co-authored more than 150 scientific papers in astrophysics, space sciences, and strategic studies. He served as a scientific co-investigator for two NASA space science missions, and received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for the 1994 Clementine mission.He was named the 2009 Federal Laboratory Consortium Laboratory Director of the Year.