No newcomer to astronomy or cruises, Pedas has been associated with the planetariums at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio and the Farrell (Pennsylvania) Area School District for the past 37 years. He was a founding member of the International Planetarium Society, and has been a science writer for magazines and newspapers for more than 35 years. Recognized as an innovator in the fields of planetarium operations and education, he holds a degree in planetarium science from Michigan State University.

To enrich his professional horizons and enhance his writing and teaching, Pedas has traveled widely throughout the world, visiting all seven continents. His excursions have included visits to more than 200 observatories and planetariums as well as scores of destinations of interest to astronomers, archaeologists, anthropologists, historians and naturalists.

In 1983 Pedas was selected by NASA to write and co-produce a planetarium show documenting America's first quarter century in space in honor of NASA's 25th anniversary. Pedas' accomplishments have earned him world-wide recognition. His many honors include the U.S. Department of State's Agency for International Development Award for “exemplary service in education” and the Pennsylvania “Educator of the Year ” award.

Pedas's first venture to organize a 1970 ‘solar eclipse celebration’ was unsuccessful. The community of Eclipse, Virginia (population 150) said 'no, thank you' to staging an Eclipse '70 festival in Eclipse, Va. — a town which fell within the 80-mile wide eclipse path. In the aftermath of Woodstock, the concept of a land-based cosmic celebration was a hard sell.

Pedas turned to the cruise industry to launch his idea. After being turned down by every major cruise line in New York, Pedas, his sister, Marcy Sigler and brother-in-law Phil Sigler persuaded the now defunct Greek Line to take a chance on the idea of launching a cruise ship into the path of totality. The company was rewarded with a sold out Eclipse '72 — Voyage to Darkness and Pedas' reputation as the pied-piper of eclipses was launched.

The 1972 Voyage to Darkness eclipse cruise proved to be the benchmark for conveying large numbers of enthusiasts and professional astronomers to the best vantage point to intercept eclipse totality. Ted Pedas, the educator-astronomer-turned-entrepreneur had successfully bridged the academic world and the needs of the depressed '70's shipping market to spawn a new industry — educational theme cruises replete with shipboard lecturers and educational pursuits.

The Voyage to Darkness eclipse chasers were not the ‘fun in the sun’ cruise clientele. Although well travelled 85 per cent of them (including the Pedas-Sigler organizers) had never booked a cruise prior to Eclipse '72. They were eclectic, spirited, adventuresome voyagers who shared a special sense of curiosity and wonder. Beckoned by the allure of a rendezvous with the cosmos they tuned into the celestial schedule to capture for their memories a total eclipse of the sun. The Pedas siren call, ushering in the age of shipboard astronomy, had been heard.

The pioneer of astronomy theme cruises, in his quest for totality had revamped the ‘snooze-and-booze cruise’ substituting lectures on sun spots, shadow bands, and Bailey's Beads for bingo and deck quoits. And none too soon. “Earth people,” states Ted Pedas, “are indeed fortunate to live on the only planet in the solar system where three celestial bodies, the sun, moon and earth align themselves to produce solar eclipses. In eons to come, future generations will not be provided with this solar phenomenon. Tidal forces of gravity will cause the moon to slowly spiral away from the earth.”

Subsequently Pedas has orchestrated many successful "discovery" voyages, including those to view the Equinox at Chichen Itza, Mexico; the Perseid meteor shower from the Mediterranean; solar eclipses from around the globe; and the return of Halley's Comet. In addition to astronomical events, he also has coordinated visits to sites of archaeological significance.

Pedas takes pride in presenting the most comprehensive Enrichment Lecture Programs afloat. Isaac Asimov the prolific science writer and lecturer aboard the African Eclipse Cruise noted that “Ted Pedas was Education Director of the cruise and it was owing to his organizational ability and endless hard work that everything went as smoothly as a well-oiled machine. Five years later, I still meet people who recall the cruise and the success it was. Never did so many people have so steadily good a time without any of the activities usually associated with a cruise. They were being educated, and loving it”.

For the millennium's last solar eclipse, on August 11, 1999, Pedas coordinated a Voyage to Darkness sailing with a fleet of four Royal Olympic ships: Stella Solaris, Olympic Countess, World Renaissance, and Stella Oceanis.

NASA provided live internet and TV coverage of the Eclipse'99 Black Sea Voyage to Darkness from the decks of the Olympic Countess. NASA's JPEG photos, video and movie files of the solar eclipse and shipboard activities from the 7 day Voyage to Darkness have been archived at NASA's Eclipse '99 Photo/Movie/Telemetry Gallery web site. The internet broadcast, NASA's only officially-sponsored educational program for the eclipse, was run by NASA Astronaut Dr. Ronald Parise.

The total solar eclipse of December 4, 2002, will be greeted by two of Ted's Voyages to Darkness The African Eclipse Cruises aboard the Olympic Explorer and the Olympic Voyager which is scheduled to intercept eclipse totality in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa.

Pedas attributes much of the success of his shipboard educational programs to the product itself. "There's an enormous fascination with stars and stones that captures the human imagination. People are increasingly becoming intrigued with astronomy and archaeology. They want to learn more about the awesome phenomena that adorns the sky and the enigmatic stones left behind by ancient civilizations. A cruise vacation is a unique and exciting way to unravel some of the mysteries."

• … “I have known Ted for the past fifteen years, having first met him at one of the very early meetings of the Mid-Atlantic Planetarium Society. Since that time he has become known nationally, as well as internationally, as an innovator in planetarium education …”
  Dr. William H. Bolles, Science Education Advisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Sept 10, 1980

• … “As Governor, let me thank you for your efforts to improve the artistic and cultural life in the Commonwealth…”
  Dick Thornburgh, Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, January 21, 1981

• … “For the second time in three years, Ted Pedas...has been nominated for the prestigious award of Pennsylvania 'Educator of the Year'. Pedas was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Education Citations and Awards Committee for the honor in recognition of what the committee said was his "Exemplary utilization of Farrell High School's planetarium in the teaching of astronomy and space science. Under his direction the planetarium has become one of the best known such scholastic facility in the nation…”

  The Herald, of course is delighted with Pedas's selection particularly since he is a frequent and valued contributor to these pages...He has brought honor not only upon himself but upon his school district and the entire Shenango Valley Community.”
  The Herald, Editorial titled 'Teacher of the Year' November 6, 1980

• … “I would like to add my small voice to the many others which recommend Ted Pedas for the 'Educator of the Year' award. I have known and been professionally associated with Ted for many years ...he is richly deserving of and eminently entitled to the award.”
  Statement by Astronaut Scott Carpenter   as published in the Hellenic Chronicle, Dec 14, 1978

• … “You can be my farm manager anytime. …”
  Astronaut Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon and Ohio farm resident commenting on Ted's masterful implementation of educational programs as quoted in The Vindicator, July 17, 1994

• … “Pedas not only volunteers his time, he gives generously of his money. His many awards go to young people who wouldn't receive any recognition otherwise - kids who can make it if someone believes in them enough to motivate them to do so. This program has meant much to this group of students, encouraging them to use artistic, musical and craft talents in Planetarium shows and plays. Chances are they wouldn't have used them at all if they hadn't been given this opportunity...He has touched many young people's lives in a very special way.”
  The Herald, Editorial - Volunteers - Buhl Day honoree's efforts are well known, August 7, 1991

• … “Ted Pedas was Education Director of the cruise and it was owing to his organizational ability and endless hard work that everything went as smoothly as a well-oiled machine. I still meet people who recall the cruise and the success it was. Never did so many people have so steadily good a time without any of the activities usually associated with a cruise. They were being educated and loving it. …Ted Pedas is a teacher in the best sense of the word.”
  Prolific science writer Isaac Asimov comments on Ted Pedas's shipboard educational program. …”

• … “The Olympia cruise was the idea of Dr. Phil Sigler, a teacher of social science at Staten Island Community College, and his brother-in-law, Ted Pedas, who directs the planetarium at Youngstown (Ohio) State University. Predictably, the group aboard ship were not exactly typical cruise passengers. One third were high school teachers or had university affiliations. Nearly all were sophisticated photographers and most had brought aboard telescopes, long telescopic camera lenses or both. The trip had its share of children, as well, but they were, of course, of the post-astronaut generation. Lectures on " Astronomy for Young People", particularly the under-10's, were far more advanced than those for the passengers generally and explored ionization in the solar atmosphere, element formation by nuclear fusion in stars and the correlation between the temperature of stars and their color. …”
  The New York Times article 'Let There Be Darkness, Please'   by Philip Schrag, July 30, 1972

• … “Retired people have not retired their brains. They want more out of life than just recreation," said planetarium scientist and NASA consultant Ted Pedas, who launched the concept of astronomy-theme cruises more than two decades ago. Cruise lines at first were cautiously reluctant to market enrichment over entertainment, but many have since come aboard and seek out big-name professors as eagerly as they do top cabaret acts. …”
  Associated Press article entitled 'Learning Among the Ruins'   by Hugh A. Mulligan, June 16, 1999

  

• … “Ted Pedas, had collected a group of scientists as "faculty" for our cruise which would be the envy of any college administrator in the world. Every name on our staff is worthy of special note; but let us mention just a few. Neil Armstrong, our first man on the moon; Dr. Isaac Asimov, author of more than 140 science fact and fiction books; Dr. Edward Brooks, geophysicist and one of the world's leading eclipse meteorologists; Scott Carpenter, astronaut and aquanaut; Dr. Joseph Chamberlain, expert in celestial navigation and director of Chicago's Adler Planetarium; Dr. Fred Hess, physical science professor; Dr. Allen Hynek, Northwestern University astronomy professor and U.S. Air Force consultant on the subject of unidentified flying objects; Dr. Charles H. Smiley, veteran of 15 solar eclipse expeditions, and Walter Sullivan., science editor of the New York Times. In addition, no less than seven planetarium directors are on board to assist the passengers in star identification and basic astronomy. …”
  Honolulu Star Bulletin article entitled 'Voyage to Darkness'   by Bay Stewart Leber, July 12, 1973

• … “Pedas' accomplishments in the field of astronomy have brought him an international as well as national reputation. Yet for all this, he remains a fervently dedicated son of Farrell who finds its faults and shortcomings unimportant when measured against the strengths and widely varied talents, and interests of its people. …”
  The Herald, Editorial entitled 'Ted Pedas Day Deserves Recognition', April 22, 1978

• … “His educational philosophy is one which I readily adopted in my collegiate study - simply put, learning never ceases, especially when the joy of sharing discoveries is possible. His talent, enthusiasm and energy in making understandable the wonders of the heavens and inspiring students to appreciate science is unmatched. And he lives this to the fullest extent by always being prepared to aid fellow educators and colleagues in the planetarium education field by giving of himself - whether it be time, knowledge, effort, or money. Mr. Pedas' strong personal interest, dedication, and generosity serve as a stirring example of what one individual can do. …”
  Letter by Tim W. Kuzniar, former student, to Pennsylvania Department of Education, May 4, 1984

• … “Mr. Pedas has exemplified the highest degree of Supervisory and Teaching competence. In addition, he has displayed an exemplary degree of citizenship, philanthropy, and moral character to the community, its students, and citizens. …”
  John G. Sava, former Superintendent of Farrell Schools, May 7, 1984