BY KAREN BOSSICK

Daniel Peluso spent years working in the music industry, developing and promoting such artists as Bon Jovi and Alison Krauss. His first full-length album explores cosmic themes and the human experience through music and storytelling as it draws inspiration from scientific concepts and cultural awareness.

Peluso will discuss “Democratizing Astronomy and Indigenous Knowledge through Music and Music Science” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Hailey’s Town Center West.

His talk will be followed by a stargazing event led by himself and local astronomer at 9:30 p.m. at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden. It will kick off with a Dark Sky Q&A, followed by stargazing.

Peluso is an astronomer, researcher, educator, and media creator. He is also a musician and singer/songwriter under the pseudonym Conner Eko, and he will be incorporating music in his presentation at the Hailey Public Library.

Peluso has earned many postsecondary degrees, culminating in a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Southern Queensland. His work highlights the significant impact of citizen science on planetary research and education, including several peer-reviewed publications.

As an educator, Peluso has taught in both colleges and high schools, and co-authored a paper with high school students about the discovery and confirmation of an exoplanet, TIC 139270665.

“My ultimate career goal is to work as a full-time singer-songwriter while remaining involved in STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math] education and finding innovative ways to merge the two to inspire humanity,” he said.