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NOIRLab Ambassador program

The NOIRLab Ambassador program is a joint initiative with Vera C. Rubin Observatory Construction that aims to increase public engagement with NOIRLab and its Programs, including Rubin Observatory, by working together with motivated and enthusiastic volunteers to share the excitement and science of our organizations. 

Ambassadors can be NOIRLab or Rubin staff and scientists as well as external enthusiasts who support our mission in astronomy. They will contribute to NOIRLab’s public engagement efforts in addition to sharing NOIRLab and Rubin science with their own communities in order to spread our mission and science to new audiences. 

Ambassador’s Profile

NOIRLab Ambassadors should have at least one of these characteristics:

  • Personable, creative, enthusiastic and approachable
  • Confident in public speaking in English or Spanish
  • Have an interest in promoting public awareness of NOIRLab’s astronomy and related science
  • Willing to represent NOIRLab and its Programs, including Rubin Observatory,in a professional manner and promote NOIRLab’s planned initiatives and activities.
  • Willing to post NOIRLab provided content (e.g. photos, stories, notice of upcoming events/talks) on their social media accounts and webpages.
  • Able to provide creative content that can be used in social media and internal communication platforms in coordination with the Communications team.

How to join the program

Please indicate your interest in the following areas in this form (may be more than one area):

  1. Audiovisuals Ambassador (Image and Video)
  2. Music Ambassador
  3. Art Ambassador (painting, drawing, knitting, etc.)
  4. Education Ambassador
  5. Social Media Ambassador (influencers, etc.)
  6. Dark Skies Ambassadors

NOIRLab’s Ambassador program is open to NOIRLab and Rubin Construction staff, affiliates and scientists as well as external people.

Selection process

Candidates will go through a selection process with a committee that will review their application and decide the selected candidates. The committee will be formed by the NOIRLab Head of Communications, Education and Engagement; NOIRLab Communications Manager; Rubin EPO representative; Rubin social media coordinator; and NOIRLab social media coordinator. The application remains open, with a review process of one month. We will notify new ambassadors via email.

Time commitment

This is a flexible role to suit your availability, but we do require a one-year commitment as minimum time. Ambassadors will be contacted as appropriate and offered the opportunity to renew their participation each year depending on their contributions to the Ambassador program.They will also be able to help us welcome new ambassadors.

What to expect

Once the Ambassador has been selected, they will receive the following benefits:

Ambassadors Benefits:

  • Social media training
  • Approved social media template posts
  • Ambassador’s content will be published in our website and social media channels with their specific credit
  • Special digital folder
  • Ambassadors meetups (virtual, quarterly)
  • Annual gift and Welcome Kit
  • Access to Ambassador community
  • If opportunity permits: Occasional special visits to the summit (Gemini North, Kitt Peak, Cerro Tololo or Cerro Pachón) 

Seniority (more than 3 years) in the program will also include:

  • Special NOIRLab Blog post featuring the Ambassador’s work
  • Special video of our Ambassador published in our social media

What Ambassadors will deliver

Once selected, the Ambassador will contribute photos, videos and other creative output reflective of their experiences at NOIRLab that will be shared, and they will collaborate with the social media team to coordinate sharing of these stories to their own networks. If you have any questions, please contact NOIRLab’s Social Media Coordinator Camila Ibarlucea (camila.ibarlucea@noirlab.edu)

NOIRLab Ambassadors 

    1. Babak Tafreshi
      Since the 1990s the Iranian-American photojournalist Babak Tafreshi has been documenting scenes of the night sky on all continents; an adventurous journey to connect Earth’s magnificent landmarks to celestial wonders, to bridge art, Earth, and science through visual storytelling. He is passionate about promoting the preservation of dark night skies, and nature conservation. Babak started The World at Night project (TWAN) in 2007, with the idea to build connections between humanity and the night sky. He believes blending our diverse heritages under one eternal roof confirms the unified nature of Earth as a home for all mankind. TWAN currently has a team of about 40 photographers from 20 countries.


      Babak Tafreshi