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Edwin Charles Krupp (born November 18, 1944) is an American astronomer, researcher, author, and popularizer of science. He is an internationally recognized expert in the field of archaeoastronomy, the study of how ancient cultures viewed the sky and how those views affected their cultures. He has taught at the college level, as a planetarium lecturer, and in various . He has been the director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles since first taking over the position in 1974 after the departure of the previous director, William J. Kaufmann III. His writings include science papers and journal articles, astronomy magazine articles, books on astronomy and archaeoastronomy for adults, and books explaining sky phenomena and astronomy to children.
Krupp is a member of the American Astronomical Society and the International Astronomical Union, and has served in several divisions and commissions of both organizations. He is also a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a member of that organization's Council for Media Integrity.
Krupp studied physics and astronomy at Pomona College (the founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium) in Claremont, California. His undergraduate advisor was Robert J. Chambers. While studying at Pomona College, Krupp participated in cross-country, track, and soccer. He also worked at KSPC, the Pomona College non-commercial community radio station. He lived for two years at the Brackett Observatory, during this time he served as caretaker of the observatory, weatherman, and telescope demonstrator. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966.
Krupp pursued graduate studies in astronomy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), receiving a Master of Arts degree in 1968 and PhD in 1972. His Ph.D. dissertation concerned the morphology of rich clusters of galaxies. His graduate adviser was George O. Abell.
He became a planetarium lecturer at Griffith Observatory while also still in graduate school. Krupp has been a frequent lecturer throughout his career. He has lectured on science based tours he has led and other venues.
Krupp was appointed Observatory Curator in 1972 upon completion of his PhD. In 1974 the director of Griffith Observatory, William J. Kaufmann III, left, and Krupp was appointed acting director. In 1976 Krupp's title was changed from "acting" director to director.
early as 1978 Krupp was aware that the observatory would need a future restoration and that there was a need to update equipment and exhibits. So he and Harold and Debra Griffith co-founded the Friends of the Observatory (FOTO). FOTO aids the mission of the observatory in many ways. FOTO partnered with the city to renovate and expand the observatory raising US$30 million for the effort ($26 million in private funds). The observatory closed its doors in 2002 for the $93 Million dollar renovation and expansion. The entire project was spearheaded by Krupp, and the observatory reopened in the fall of 2006.
Krupp often appears in the media to discuss and explain developments and recent discoveries in astronomy, as well as discuss current celestial events.
In 2014 Griffith Observatory had its 80th anniversary and Krupp his 40th as observatory director. At that time, John Ashton of Sunseeker Tours in Long Beach noted, "It's an L.A. treasure. We get more requests to see this than anything." And, then LA City Councilman Tom LaBonge (whose district included the observatory) observed:
Krupp has traveled around the world for his archaeoastronomy studies. These trips have also taken him to sites close to home such as the Burro Flats pictograph site in the Simi Hills of Southern California, which he first visited in 1979. Over the years, Krupp has made semi-regular trips to that site to conduct solstice observations.
Krupp has shared his studies of archaeoastronomy with the general public by including archaeoastronomy topics in Griffith Observatory planetarium programs, writing books and magazine articles, appearing in documentary films, and leading tours to archaeological sites that are associated with ancient astronomy.
Krupp has written many articles on astronomy and culture for the general reader and dozens of research papers. This list is a mere sampling:
On November 22, 2013 Krupp was presented with the Andrew Gemant Award at a session of the Los Angeles city council, the award citation indicated that Krupp was being recognized for:
At the ceremony Catherine O'Riordan, then AIP vice president of Physics Resources said:
Career
Teaching
Krupp began his teaching career as a teaching assistant for the Summer Science Program during his graduate school days. Also, during graduate school he taught at the following education institutions:
Griffith Observatory
Krupp took his first job at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles while he was still a doctoral candidate at UCLA. This was as a part-time planetarium lecturer and Krupp did not enjoy this job at first, saying to his wife Robin, "Gee this isn't science, It's showbusiness." But, after he started noticing the audiences responding with increasing enthusiasm he started saying, "Hey, this is showbusiness."
Archaeoastronomy
Krupp has a special interest in the impact of astronomy on ancient belief systems, and is an internationally recognized expert on traditional astronomies. He is noted for his many contributions to the field on which he has written extensively, and he has visited, and studied, nearly 2,000 prehistoric, and historic sites around the world.
Bibliography
Krupp has written several books for adults and for children. His first two adult books (one being his doctoral dissertation), both derive from the work he did on rich clusters of galaxies while a PhD student at UCLA. His remaining adult books derive from his interests in archaeoastronomy, and contain extensive original research and analysis, while also being educational in nature. They cover astronomy in ancient cultures and the effect of beliefs about the sky on those cultures.
Books for adults
Books authored, partially authored, and/or edited by Krupp for an adult audience:
The Morphology of Rich Clusters of Galaxies Edwin C. Krupp 1972 ProQuest,
Ann Arbor, MichiganDoctoral Dissertation (UCLA) The Luminosity Function of E-S0 Galaxies in Rich Clusters Edwin C. Krupp 1974 University of California,
Los Angeles In Search of Ancient Astronomies Edwin C. Krupp (editor, principal author) 1978 Doubleday,
Garden City, New YorkSurvey of the new scientific discipline of archaeoastronomy, the study of the astronomies of ancient and prehistoric times through archaeology. Echoes of the Ancient Skies: The Astronomy of Ancient Civilizations Edwin C. Krupp 1983 Harper & Row,
New YorkThe study of ancient peoples' observations of the skies and the impact of those observations on their cultural evolution Archaeoastronomy and the Roots of Science Edwin C. Krupp (Editor, Author) 1984 Westview Press,
Boulder, ColoradoReviews recent research, on the astronomy of worldwide ancient cultures and the effects of astronomy on those cultures. Beyond the Blue Horizon – Myths and Legends of the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Planets Edwin C. Krupp 1991 HarperCollins,
New YorkA worldwide comparative study of celestial mythology, Skywatchers, Shamans, & Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power Skywatchers, Shamans, & Kings: Astronomy and the Archaeology of Power Edwin C. Krupp 1996 John Wiley,
New YorkJourney to the world's essential sacred places and celestial shrines and see where the rulers of old communed with the gods of the sky. Public Astronomy, Los Angeles Style David DeVorkin, Edwin C. Krupp (Editors) 2021 Griffith Observatory,
Los AngelesGriffith Observatory is the most visible agent of public astronomy in Los Angeles, but it wasn’t the first. Six experts detail this uniquely southern California story from street-corner telescopes to a street-legal Zeiss refractor mounted on the roof of a 1932 Ford.
Chapters, forewords, and research papers
Krupp has also written full chapters for books edited by other authors, as well as research papers, included in publications of the proceedings of conferences where the papers were presented. Here are some examples
(2025). 9780792363637, Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 9780792363637
Susan Milbrath (2025). 9781607323785, University Press of Colorado. ISBN 9781607323785
Books for children
Children themed books, with illustrations by Robin Rector Krupp:
The Comet and You 1985 Macmillan Publishing Company, New York;
Collier Macmillan, LondonHistory, appearance, and physical composition of Halley's Comet, compares it to other comets, describes its path through the Solar System, and its predicted return The Big Dipper and You 1989 Morrow Junior Books New York What is known today and past beliefs about the Big Dipper, or Ursa Major. Added information on the Pole star, or Polaris. The Moon and You 1993 Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York;
Macmillan Publishing Company, New York;
Maxwell Macmillan Canada, Toronto;
Maxwell Macmillan International, New YorkInformation about the Moon, describing its phases, rotation, effect on our tides, and myths and legends. The Rainbow and You 2000 HarperCollins, New York;
Morrow Junior Books, New YorkHow rainbows are formed by the colors in sunlight shining through raindrops.
Magazine/journal articles
Krupp was once a contributing editor to Sky & Telescope magazine and had a monthly column in that publication. The column was named Rambling Through the Skies and discussed the impact of astronomy on culture. He has also served as the editor of the Griffith Observer, the monthly magazine published by Griffith Observatory's.
Whiter Shade of Pale Sky & Telescope July 2000 86 A rock that looks like the Milky Way and was used in ceremonies by Native Americans in California. Inner Glow Sky & Telescope December 2004 50 About the underground shrine at Newgrange, Ireland. The Great 2012 Scare Sky & Telescope November 2009 22–26 The Maya Calendar does not predict the end of the world in December 2012. Archaeoastronomy Unplugged: Eliminating the Fuzz Tone from Rock Art Astronomy American Indian Rock Art 2006
Volume 21, Vol. 3353–370 Hiawatha in California Astronomy Quarterly 1991
Vol. 8, No. 147–64 Night Gallery: the Function, Origin, and Evolution of Constellations Archaeoastronomy 2000 43–63 Egyptian Astronomy: The Roots of Modern Timekeeping New Scientist January 3, 1980 24–27 Saluting the Solstice News from Native California November 1987
Vol. 1(5)10–13 When Things are Divided in Half Rock Art Papers San Diego Museum Papers 1990
No. 26, Vol. 741–48
Films
Krupp has appeared in several documentary films and educational film series. He also has writing credits and scientific advisor credits. These include:
Project Universe PBS Telecourse Series (30 half-hour episodes) 1978 Presenter/Writer Introduction to Astronomy Time Travel: Fact, Fiction and Fantasy Documentary/Science Fiction 1985 Cast – Himself Seasons Short Documentary 1987 Scientific Consultant Secrets and Mysteries
(episode) StonehengeDocumentary Series 1988 Cast – Himself A look at England's Stonehenge, compared to American sites such as Arizona's Casa Grande and Mystery Hill in New Hampshire. The Complete Cosmos Short Documentary/Science Fiction Series 1998–1999 Thanks to Ed Krupp and Griffith Observatory Guide to the wonders of the universe. Horizon
(episode) Atlantis RebornDocumentary Series 1999 Cast – Himself Solarmax Short Documentary 2000 Scientific Advisory Committee The story of humankind's struggle to understand the sun. The Universe
(episode) Constellations (2008)
(episode) Stonehenge (2014)
(episode) Pyramids (2014)Documentary Series 2007–2015 Cast – Himself Explores many scientific questions and topics about the universe Extreme Universe
(episode) Star GatesDocumentary Series 2010 Cast – Himself Why We Will Still Be Here on Dec. 21 2012 Panel Discussion 2012 Panel Member Sponsored and filmed by SETI, Why the Mayan calendar does not predict the end of the world.
Planetarium programs
Krupp started his career at Griffith Observatory as a planetarium lecturer. As directory of the observatory he has returned to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium at Griffith Observatory as a writer. He has several planetarium show writing credits.
Centered in the Universe Don Dixon,
E.C. Krupp,
Andre BormanisAsks fundamental questions about Earth's and humankind's place in the universe. Time's Up Laura Danly,
Ed Krupp,
Don Dixon,
Chris SheltonHow time and the universe works and why the Mayan calendar did not predict the end of the world in 2012. Light of the Valkyries Laura Danly,
Don Dixon,
Ed KruppA voyage of Vikings cosmology that explores the true nature of the Aurora, the northern lights. First Light: The Telescope Changed Everything Ed Krupp How the world changed after Galileo Galilei built the world's finest telescope and pointed it to the sky.
Professional affiliations
Krupp is affiliated with several scientific, astronomical, archaeoastronomical, and educational organizations.
Awards and honors
Krupp's writings, and active evangelization of the universe to the public, has resulted in his receiving several awards and honors:
Science-Writing Award 1978 American Institute of Physics (AIP) In Search of Ancient Astronomies Science-Writing Award 1985 American Institute of Physics (AIP) The Comet and You Klumpke-Roberts Award 1989 Astronomical Society of the Pacific For contributing to the understanding and appreciation of astronomy by the public. Honorary degree 1996 West Coast University Clifford W. Holmes Award 2002 Riverside Telescope Makers Conference (Riverside, California) For major contributions toward popularizing astronomy. Honorary degree 2011 Pomona College Andrew Gemant Award November 22, 2013 American Institute of Physics (AIP) Awarded to a person that has made substantial cultural, artistic, or humanistic contributions to physics. Blaisdell Distinguished Alumni Award April 29, 2016 Pomona College Honors alumni for achievement in professional and community service
Personal life
Krupp married Robin Rector on New Year's Eve of 1968. They had one son and divorced in 2006. Krupp now resides in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
Notes
External links
Categories: Krupp, American Astronomers, Archaeoastronomers, Historians Of Astronomy, 20th-century American Scientists, 21st-century American Astronomers, Scientists From California, University Of California, Los Angeles Alumni, Writers From Chicago, 1944 Births, Living People, Summer Science Program, American Skeptics, Pomona College Alumni
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