Gregory McCartney has been a Solar System Ambassador since 2007. His passion for astronomy was inspired by Carl Sagan and the PBS television series COSMOS. Greg has academic degrees that focused his studies on planetary atmospheres, atmospheric science, meteorology and astronomy.

As a child Greg enjoyed looking up at the stars in his backyard and watching planets move over the days. He later applied as an astronaut candidate applicant and to this day continues to educate himself on the latest understandings in astronomy.

Greg is a member for the Friends of the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii and a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. He is also a former Adjunct Professor with Hawaii Pacific University and Teaching Assistant with the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

His professional career, spanning over 30-years, had been in the environmental professional field, protecting this planet's air, water and land throughout the Hawaiian islands. Greg is now retired and focused full-time on his star show programs and outreach education efforts. Greg is married to his wife Rowena. They have three grown children, namely Orion Kalani, Magellan Kealii and Carina Hokulea. Their dog's name is Cosmos, who resides in the universe.