The Leadership
Bringing together world-class expertise in space exploration, astronomy, and cultural preservation
Michael Benson
Project Founder & Director
Michael Benson is among the world's leading authorities on the visual legacy of space exploration and astronomy. His unique combination of artistic vision, scientific rigor, and cultural insight makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Qamar Codex mission—preserving Islamic scientific heritage with cutting-edge space preservation technology.
As author of seven acclaimed books and curator of internationally touring exhibitions, Benson has spent decades translating complex scientific achievements into compelling narratives that capture public imagination. His deep appreciation for Islamic astronomy, developed during four years in Turkey and recent visits to Jeddah, Medina, Doha and Cairo, brings both scholarly credibility and cultural sensitivity to this unprecedented preservation mission.
Dr. James L. Green
Scientific & Technical Advisor
Physicist and scientist James Green was NASA’s Chief Scientist from 2018 until 2022, and previously served as Director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division from 2006-2018, where he managed and served as the chief spokesman for all of NASA’s planetary missions. Under his leadership, such interplanetary spacecraft as the New Horizons probe to Pluto, the Messenger Mercury project, the Juno Jupiter mission, and the Mars surface rovers Opportunity and Curiosity, all proved highly successful. Jim’s extraordinary wealth of experience has already benefited the Qamar Codex project in numerous ways, and will continue to do so as we achieve our ambitious goals.
Michael Benson Career Highlights:
1 /
Award-Winning Author
Seven published books including the acclaimed "Cosmigraphics" (2014), which chronicled 3,000 years of humanity's expanding understanding of the cosmos, featured reproductions of numerous manuscripts taken from the Islamic Golden Age of astronomy, and whetted Benson’s interest to discover, reproduce, and preserve this invaluable scientific-cultural legacy.
"Cosmigraphics" was a finalist for the Science and Technology Award at the 2015 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
2 /
International Exhibition Curator
Creator of "Otherworlds," a touring exhibition of extraterrestrial photography that opened at London's Natural History Museum and has been presented in Vienna, Brisbane, Barcelona, Luxembourg, Shanghai, Toronto, and many other international destinations.
"The results are astonishing." — The New Yorker magazine
Film & Media Producer
Collaborated with director Terrence Malick on cosmological sequences for "Tree of Life" (Palme d'Or winner, 2011 Cannes Film Festival) and "Voyage of Time." Award-winning documentary filmmaker with work at Sundance.
Currently developing a Tom Hanks-produced TV series based on "Space Odyssey"
3 /
Science & Technology Expert
Visiting Scholar at MIT Media Lab, Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities. Recently completed project deploying scanning electron microscopes for the “Nanocosmos” project at the Canadian Museum of Nature. His new book, Nanocosmos, comes out in October 2025.
Published in The New Yorker, New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic
4 /
Islamic Astronomy Scholar
Four years of residence in Turkey and recent visits to Jeddah, Medina, Doha and Cairo have fostered deep appreciation for Islamic astronomical heritage. Extensive research into Islamic Golden Age contributions to modern astronomy and space exploration.
Dedicated focus on correcting historical narratives that overlook Islamic scientific achievements
5 /
Space Mission Expertise
Deep understanding of space mission architecture from years of collaboration with NASA, ESA, and other space agencies. Expert in spacecraft imaging systems and data archiving for long-term preservation.
Pioneered techniques for processing raw spacecraft data into lasting visual records
6 /
Prestigious Collaborations
Natural History Museum London
Playtone (Tom Hanks)
Canadian Museum of Nature
American Museum of Natural History, NY
Terrence Malick
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC
MIT Media Lab
"I have a vision of a project capable of capturing the imaginations of people across the Middle East, the wider Islamic sphere, and also the rest of the world. This project will revive interest in the work of the astronomers of the Islamic Golden Age in spectacular fashion, reminding everyone of an era spanning seven hundred years during which Islamic science was at the forefront of human achievement."
— Michael Benson, Qamar Codex Proposal
Notable Achievements & Recognition
2004
Best American Science Writing
"What Galileo Saw" selected for annual anthology, demonstrating ability to translate complex science for general audiences
2004
Benson’s New Yorker magazine feature “What Galileo Saw”
The article delved into NASA’s problematic Jupiter mission, and explained how a series of ingenious technical fixes rescued the mission
2009
“Far Out” Published
328-page visual survey of space and time beginning at the Big Bang and ending at the present day. “A guide to the cosmos, in words and images dazzling and true.” — New York Times
2011
Cannes Film Festival
Cosmological sequences for "Tree of Life" contribute to Palme d'Or victory, establishing Benson's cinematic space visualization expertise
2014
"Cosmigraphics" Published
Comprehensive survey of astronomical visualization including extensive Islamic Golden Age content. Translated into multiple languages
2016
Natural History Museum Exhibition
"Otherworlds" opens in London with original music by Brian Eno, establishing new standards for space photography exhibitions
2018
"Space Odyssey" Published
477-page cultural history documenting Kubrick's masterpiece. "An astonishing tale of obsessive genius at work" — New York Times
