Professor Donald A. Lubowich was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 16, 1948. Donald earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Astronomy from Northwestern University, two Master’s degrees from Columbia University, and a third Master’s degree and a PhD in Astronomy from New Mexico State University. Donald’s first and forever love was astronomy from a young age, after his first visit to the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. Donald was one of three children of Shirley (nee Abrams) Lubowich and Martin Lubowich. He married the love of his life, Susan Kopech, in June 1974.
Donald worked at the American Institute of Physics as a Senior Scientist until the mid-2000s and concurrently taught as an Associate Professor of Astronomy at Hofstra University, retiring from teaching in 2023 but remaining as Hofstra’s Coordinator of Astronomy Outreach and a Senior Research Scientist until his death in March of 2026. He conducted astronomy research at the world’s largest telescopes and published his findings in several science journals, including Nature.
Donald’s first love was bringing astronomy to the public, creating events: “Music and Astronomy Under the Stars” with a grant from NASA, and several other events with other grants from various clubs and institutions. He created, with The White House Office of Technology & Science in 2012, the first ever “Astronomy Festival On the National Mall,” which remained the largest outdoor astronomy event in the U.S. as of his death. He also brought to fruition, with Hofstra University, the first ever “Science and Technology Fair of Long Island” in December 2025.
Donald was an active participant on many International Astronomical Union commissions and committees, including the high-profile Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites. He famously voted against deplanetizing Pluto, an interesting moment captured in an episode of PBS’s NOVA, narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
In addition to his love for and work in astronomy, Donald loved to travel, attend concerts and lectures, and kept learning every day of his life.
Donald valued his relationships with his family and friends above all. He was active in his synagogue on Long Island, New York, even creating an astronomy event exclusively for it: “Sukkah Under The Stars”! He was a wonderful husband, son, brother, uncle, and great-uncle, and he will be missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.
