Jastrow's death last Friday was announced by the George C. Marshall Institute in Washington, The New York Times reported. Jastrow, who helped found the institute to lobby on scientific policy, was chairman emeritus.

After receiving a doctorate in physics from Columbia, Jastrow joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1958. He became director of the Goddard Institute, which is part of NASA, in 1961.

In 1967, Jastrow published "Red Giants and White Dwarfs," a best-selling popular book on astronomy. He also appeared on NBC and CBS to explain the details of the space program.

"He had a deep sense of the need to interpret science and make it available to the public," said Albert Arking, a former student. "His enthusiasm for science was infectious."

As head of the Marshall Institute, Jastrow supported President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, better known as the Star Wars program. He was one of the best-known global warming skeptics.