Boulder City High alumnus looks to far off planets

When 2003 Boulder City High alumnus Kevin Lewis looks into deep space, he views it through one of the world’s largest telescopes.

“It is amazing that I get to do things like this,” said Lewis, CEO for the PLANETS Foundation, a nonprofit organization using advanced telescopes to look at exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. “I am participating in some incredibly original research. The chance to look at planets that 25 years ago scientists didn’t even agree existed is an incredible experience.”

Lewis joined the foundation after going back to school to get a degree in astronomy from the University of Hawaii. The PLANETS Foundation is based in Maui. He has always loved the idea of deep space.

“I think the foundation really spoke to me,” Lewis said. “I have a deep passion for space and astronomy, and working somewhere like the PLANETS Foundation is an incredible experience.”

Lewis is working with the Institute of Astronomy on what will be the world’s largest solar telescope called Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, or DKIST.

DKIST will have the ability to see planets far from our solar system. According to Lewis, far away Earth-like planets could be seen and studied using this high-powered telescope.

“With the telescopes our foundation are working with we have the ability to see planets way outside our solar system and not only see them, but study their atmosphere,” Lewis said. “Ideally our foundation would want to be one of the first groups to find some sort of life outside our solar system.”

Although he has not been home in a few years, Lewis still visits friends in Boulder City whenever he can and still has fond memories of Boulder City High.

“I still have a lot of good friends there and I still think about eating at places like Toto’s Mexican Restaurant,” Lewis said. “I really liked high school there. I can’t say I knew I wanted to do astronomy when I was in school, but I always loved math and science.”

Lewis said that although he may not have known it at the time he recalls enjoying stargazing in Boulder City. “I look back and I do remember looking at the stars as a kid,” Lewis said. “The city is pretty dark and quiet at night so you could see some pretty amazing stars.”

Working with expensive telescopes is still the best aspect of Lewis’ job, but the fact that he can be on the front lines of new research is amazing to him.

For more information on Lewis and his work, go to www.planets.life

Contact reporter Max Lancaster at mlancaster@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @MLancasterBCR.