This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Patrick Wiggins loves the night sky.

After 26 years at the Hansen Planetarium and the past 12 years as a volunteer Solar System Ambassador, Wiggins will receive NASA's Distinguished Public Service Medal, the same award given to astronomer Carl Sagan, sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein and 'Star Trek' creator Gene Roddenberry.

On Tuesday at 12:15 p.m., Wiggins and Tribune astronomy reporter Sheena McFarland join Jennifer Napier-Pearce to talk about Wiggins' honor, his continuing fascination with the stars and the future of space exploration. 

You can watch this online video chat at sltrib.com. You can also join the discussion by sending questions and comments to the hashtag #TribTalk on Twitter and Google+ or texting 801-609-8059.

Twitter: @jnpearce